JPS introducing technology to catch thieves pilfering its infrastructure

WESTERN BUREAU:

THIEVES HAVE removed seven of 10 Jamaica Public Service (JPS)-installed street lights in Orange Bay, Western Hanover, once again, leaving the five-kilometre stretch of roadway between the Orange Bay Housing Scheme and Negril in partial darkness.

It is the third time since 10 street lights were installed along that thoroughfare in 2021 that some of them have been removed by thieves.

Senior vice-president for energy delivery at JPS, Blaine Jarrett, cited theft of the company’s infrastructure as a big problem in Jamaica and revealed that they would be investing in new technology to recover stolen equipment.

He named the Orange Bay stretch, along with other areas in Kingston and other parishes, among those where they have experienced high levels of theft, even pointing out that in one instance, 15 street lights were stolen from one area.

“We are tired of it now, and we are investing in certain technology that we think can help,” he emphasised, adding that the technology being tested would assist the JPS in locating its stolen infrastructure.

Jarrett told The Gleaner that he did not wish to reveal more on the technology “as it is still in the testing stage”.

He noted that the JPS has been able to recover some of the lights stolen in other places and will continue its quest to minimise or eradicate theft of its infrastructure.

“It (stealing of JPS infrastructure) is a pervasive problem that we are having, and we have been working with a number of stakeholders to find solutions,” he stated.

“It is a big problem for us that we are really concerned about as it primarily affects the safety of the public, also the safety of motorists, and there are certain areas that the theft level is high,” he stated.

Jarrett says efforts will be made by his company to replace the street lights that were stolen in the Orange Bay area most recently.

COUNCILLOR FRUSTRATED

Meanwhile, Marvel Sewell, councillor for the Green Island division where Orange Bay is located, expressed frustration about the situation in an interview with The Gleaner.

“We need about 30 street lights to light up the full stretch of that roadway, and I have managed, through my representation, to get 10 installed so far, and these culprits keep removing them,” he said.

Checks made by The Gleaner revealed that 10 lights were installed by the JPS along that roadway in March 2021. Thieves removed three of those lights by October 2021 and another five in November 2021.

The Gleaner was further informed that to install the lights in Orange Bay, the JPS had to do some wiring of the poles along the roadway, and the wires were stolen before they were activated at the time.

“I am so disappointed, I am so upset, I do not think that it is the residents who live in that area who are the ones removing the lights as they were so appreciative of the lights when they were first installed,” Sewell stated.

He expressed an opinion that it must be someone, or a group of persons, who know about electricity and how to remove the lights who are stealing the lights.

The Orange Bay to Negril thoroughfare is noted to be plagued by robbers pilfering the JPS’ infrastructure. They have struck in the area several times before, on each occasion removing either street lights or electricity cables, and on one occasion solar panels for lighting fixtures on the ‘Welcome to Negril’ sign done by the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

Sewell pointed out that without proper lighting, that five-kilometre roadway between Orange Bay and Negril is very dark at night, making motorists afraid to stop and render assistance to anyone who might be in need.

He pointed out that he was preparing to make representation for an additional 10 lights for the area, but now, the whole process has taken two steps backward.

One public passenger vehicle driver, who plies the Green Island to Negril route, told The Gleaner, “That is the last place in western Jamaica that I would want to get a flat tyre or my vehicle break down as the darkness along that roadway makes everyone afraid to stop and assist.”

Checks made with the Green Island police revealed that no official report has been made about theft of street lights.

editorial@gleanerjm.com