NIDS and resort rapes
Published:Wednesday | October 31, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
On October 30, The Gleaner reported that rapes are being perpetrated by resort employees on American guests in gated, protected hotels and other resorts - places that tourists are told are perfectly safe for them. It continues that one American is raped every month, 12 last year and 78 since 2011.
This is a background check issue, something that NIDS is tailor-made to address.
Take the case of the recent RIU rapes. Demar Scott, the perpetrator who allegedly raped two American ladies, has an extensive rap sheet. He is also charged with rape, burglary and robbery in Balaclava, St Elizabeth, as far back as 2012, police say. He is also being investigated for six other rapes in Mandeville!
How was this person hired at a resort in this information age? The background check protocol is woefully dysfunctional, obviously.
An adequately implemented and utilised NIDS, with its unique NIN feature, would have connected all those dots and presented an ease-of-use opportunity for human resources personnel to adequately check this miscreant's background quickly, accurately, comprehensively and seamlessly.
Jamaica is at a crossroads. Government will either embrace the digital age or our country will continue to exist in a state of solvable dysfunction.
Those who are strenuously opposing NIDS are being irresponsible.
The US government is closely monitoring this situation in Jamaica. It will not stand by and allow its citizens to continue to suffer.
If the State Department pulls the tourism plug on Jamaica - well, no need for me to elaborate on the consequences.
Paul Haye
Fairview, New Jersey