JHTA calls for urgent crime measures

 Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) is to meet with Police Commissioner, George Quallo to discuss the escalating crime problem across the island.

Addressing stakeholders today at the group’s 56th annual general meeting, JHTA president Omar Robinson said the situation is now so grave that tangible measures will have to be put in place to deal with what he describes as a crisis of monumental proportions.

Robinson cited the idea of placing closed circuit television in resort areas as proposed by the Ministry of National Security.

However, he says this proposal needs to be revisited with urgency, arguing that the fear of being caught may serve as a deterrent for some of the brazen criminals.

His comments come a day after a group of men, carrying high-powered weapons, sprayed a car with bullets, killing one man, along the busy Queen’s Drive, in Montego Bay.

More than 630 persons have been killed since the start of the year.