Montague apologises for Hanover border congestion

Western Bureau:

National Security Minister Robert Montague has apologised to residents of Hanover, including the parish's custos, for the chaotic traffic conditions they recently experienced at the St James-Hanover parish border. The congestion was as a result of a police-military checkpoint which was part of the ongoing state of public emergency in St James.

According to reports, hundreds of persons who were trying to get into Hanover from St James had to spend up to three hours in a three-mile-long traffic congestion as members of a joint police-military team carried our searches at a checkpoint in the Great River area in search of criminals trying to flee from St James.

Hanover's custos, Dr David Stair, who was caught up in the chaos, subsequently told The Gleaner that he had never seen so much indiscipline on the roads in all his life, adding that "there were several lines going in one direction and only those persons who decided to abide by the rules of the road were not making any progress".

In an interview with The Gleaner, Montague apologised for the chaotic traffic situation but, at the same time, asked for the full cooperation of residents of Hanover in the bid to displace and apprehend gangsters who have created havoc in western Jamaica.

"The most important thing about a spot check and search is to have it done effectively and efficiently with the least amount of discomfort to our citizens," said Montague. "I know no one would want us not to effectively and efficiently do the searches ... . There is no divide among us with regard to these enhanced security measures and how we are treating with them, but there will always be localised conflicts, for which we apologise."

SECURITY FORCES COMMENDED

Montague said that despite glitches such as the chaotic traffic situation, he is very pleased with the work of the security forces and how they have been executing their duties.

"Of course, you are going to have a little discomfort here and there, and we ask the people to bear with us," he said.

The security minister went on to point out that based on his information, that was a one-off situation. He added that the commanders in the area have subsequently resolved the situation and he is sure the experience of the Hanover residents would have been different since then.

Based on The Gleaner's own investigations, there has been no recurrence of the chaos, as it would appear that the security forces have been taking another approach to their operations at the checkpoint.