Dundas Calls for More Security

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Wednesday, 27 February 2013 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John's - President of the Antigua & Barbuda Cruise Tourism Association ( ABCTA) Nathan Dundas has reiterated calls for amplified security at the port, with particular focus on Heritage Quay – the bustling, duty-free, tourist hotspot that was transformed into the scene of a brutal killing on Tuesday.

Dundas told Caribarena on Tuesday night that he would be seeking renewed talks with law enforcement officials about having more uniformed police officers present, and employing new people as “tourism police”.

Moments after word of the shooting went viral, Dundas said he took it upon himself to not only inform the captain of the lone cruise ship in port, but also to stress that the incident was an isolated one.

Tourists were still milling through the Heritage Quay area after the shooting of Susan Powell at the Gadget Shop facing Thames Street.

The Port Authority chairman said he, and undoubtedly the rest of the country, had been taken aback by the brazen incident, which raised considerable alarm and discomfort in a generally peaceful populace, as well as within the cruise tourism industry.

The chairman wants “dressed-down” law enforcement officers to be assigned to Heritage Quay and other tourist areas. They would be tasked with not only enforcing the law and providing a sense of security, but also come across to tourists as less intimidating information guides.

A similar policy is at work in St Maarten, where the government sought, in 2009, to have bicycle patrol officers who, instead of the formal uniform, are clad in polo shirts and shorts, but are still equipped with their utility belts.

“We can take that system and use it here. It can’t hurt to adopt what is already working somewhere else,” Dundas said. “I am certainly going to be looking at getting this position heard once again, and pushing even harder to have some action done with it.”

Further, he noted that although the St John’s Development Committee (SJDC) is responsible for the Heritage Quay area, it is the Port Authority that is tasked with its security. The police aid with this security by providing additional manpower.

Dundas could not say on Tuesday whether the force allocates a fixed number of officers in the area on cruise ship days, but opined that the placement of the officers would be based on their availability.

Minister of Tourism John Maginley expressed shock and deep sadness after the downtown shooting.

“I am so very sorry and cannot fathom this unspeakable act. I extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of this young lady,” Maginley told Caribarena on Tuesday evening. “As a parent, my heart particularly goes out to the children as they struggle to deal with this tremendous loss and ensuing sorrow.”

The Rural North constituency representative said he knew the victim personally, as she was a former resident of the Yorks community, and a member of the Rural North constituency, which he currently represents.

Maginley said, “As the minister of Tourism, it is profoundly disturbing that an incident like this can happen anywhere in Antigua, much less a shopping centre in the heart of town, and in broad daylight. The randomness of it is heart stopping.”

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He noted, “In the upgrading of the government's ongoing fight to secure Antigua & Barbuda’s tourism product and continue to receive such competitive ratings as what was recently received from the FCCA, the Heritage Quay area has a contingent of St John’s Development and Port security, who are supported by the police force.

“It will have to be determined as to exactly how many were on duty at the time and meaningful action taken toward ensuring the safety of all who visit and work in the area. The security of Antiguan residents and visitors alike is paramount.”

Police officials could not be reached for comment on the contingent of officers made available to Heritage Quay at the time of yesterday’s incident.

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