FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S scare at the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court the St. Andrew Central Police Division have beefed up security using hand-held scanning devices to detect bombs and have placed armed personnel on the courthouse grounds to discourage potential threats.
Last week, armed officers in full combat gear including bulletproof vests and helmets, manned the entrance and exits of the courthouse under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent Ronald Anderson, operations officer at the division.
Members of the public were put through a rigourous search procedure, having to open bags and tolerate being searched. Police officers in plain clothes and in uniform and wearing rubber gloves used the scanners in search of hidden devices. Several persons had to show bail bonds before they were permitted entry into the courthouse. Parking was not being allowed park on the premises.
Bomb threat
"We are intensifing the general security in light of recent bomb threats the staff received," DSP Anderson told THE STAR. While he was reluctant to divulge information about the full complement of police officers and how many devices were being used, he stated that there would be tight security for as long as investigations continue.
The bomb scare began following an anonymous caller spoke with Inspector Vera Thomas, sub-officer of the court, on Tuesday, saying they had grenades and would use them to blow up the court as a direct attack on Senior Resident Magistrate Martin Gayle.
They received similar calls on Wednesday and Thursday, however court proceedings were not interrupted.
RM Gayle, who had previously told THE STAR that he was not afraid of any threats nor would they interefere with the course of justice, was true to his word and presided over cases on Friday.
Yet, despite the new security strategy, several persons still did not take the operation seriously. "Well, mi t'ink it necessary, yes, because of the bomb threat," one man said with a mile-wide smile and a chuckle, admitting that he did not take the threat seriously.
