Police, soldiers deployed to dump sites to boost security

The Local Government Ministry is reporting that police and soldiers are now protecting personnel and disposal sites island-wide following threats to responders trying to put out recent fires.

It is a part of what Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie calls a wider security plan.

He said arrangements are also being made to have private security personnel at the facilities.

"Additionally, we will be procuring and deploying surveillance drones to constantly monitor all activities at the disposal sites," McKenzie said.

IN PHOTO: Desmond McKenzie

In the past two months there have been 11 fires at dumps across the island costing millions of dollars to put out.

The most recent was the one at the Riverton City which began on Sunday.

The smoke from the fires have resulted in significant discomfort for residents.

"The Government is serious when it says that the disposal sites, which are national assets, will be protected, and that the workers assigned to them will also be protected,” McKenzie said.

He has called for Jamaicans to support the Government’s efforts at enhancing security, and to expose and condemn those who lit the latest fires.

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