‘We want to ensure that people are safe’

WITH JAMAICA set to host several high-profile home games in the upcoming months for the men’s and women’s team, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dennis Chung said the organisation is working to improve security following an incident where several cars were damaged on Monday at the National Stadium.

In a video that was circulated online, several patrons who were in attendance at Jamaica’s CONCACAF Nations League fixture against Honduras at the National Stadium returned to find their vehicles broken into and damaged.

The JFF, made aware of the situation, admonished the act, saying they were in talks with Independence Park Limited (IPL) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) to investigate the incident.

“On seeing the video, we immediately commenced investigations to ascertain where it was, and we were advised that it is the open area across from the Stadium’s main parking lot,” the JFF’s press release read.

“While the JFF has no direct control and responsibility for security at the general car park or areas outside of the stadium property, we will engage with the IPL and police to see what can be done as we want everyone to enjoy the matches incident free.”

IMPROVED SECURITY

Speaking with The Gleaner yesterday at a JFF press conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, Chung said the federation would be working to ensure that there is improved security for patrons at future home games.

The first of the upcoming games will be the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinals against the United States at the National Stadium on November 14.

The next set of home matches will be the Reggae Girlz playing a pair of international friendlies against South Africa scheduled for November 29 and December 2.

The match will be the first time the Girlz will face South Africa at home and their first meeting since a 1-1 draw in 2019.

Chung said as the JFF will be calling on the support of fans to turn out in their numbers at the games, it is important for patrons to have a sense of security while cheering on their national teams.

He stated that the improved security measures would also extend to places outside of the stadium property, which will be marked as designated parking areas for patrons.

“We know that the incident took place off the property and not on the stadium property because we had proper security in all the official parking areas. However, we think that because it is our patrons, we want to ensure that people are safe,” the general secretary stated.

“So we’re talking to the IPL, and we’re talking to the police also because we are going to put some measures in place to designate some places, even ones outside of the stadium, as official parking, and we are going to provide proper security for those designated places.”

“Right now, the official parking is not a problem, but for the additional areas that we are going to designate, we will ensure that people are safe for it.”

Gregory Bryce