Champs organisers should do more to enhance security

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I was deeply distressed to learn of the stabbing incident involving the 17-year-old student of Jamaica College at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, as reported in The Gleaner article of March 28.

While it is appreciated that ISSA/GraceKennedy spend significant amounts of money on security and would not want to admit weaknesses in the security arrangements, it is disappointing that they merely expressed, as reported, how unfortunate the stabbing incident was. This way of thinking downplays an incident which could have easily resulted in the loss of life. Further, the police and security company applauded their own performance of no reported incidents at an event attended by over 30,000 people. I shudder to believe that not even a police escort was afforded to the parent to assist with getting their child emergency care.

Where ISSA and the security forces failed was in reassuring parents and the general public that they would review their ‘sophisticated’ security arrangements to prevent or mitigate future incidents of this nature. It is true that incidents such as these are not uncommon worldwide; however, the impression that I got from the reported responses was empathy, but no expression of room for improvement. Adequately manning corridors to the parking lot and designated pickup or drop-off could be pursued, along with additional arrangements as the security experts may determine, especially considering the large number of minors at the event.

While parents have to also conduct their own risk assessments of the events they allow their children to attend, I implore ISSA to review their arrangements and reassure the public that clear measures will be put in place, not only inside the facility but also the outside pickup areas. We have an extraordinary valuable product in these Champs and a mindset of continuous improvement and lessons learnt by the organisers will make future events safer for all.

LENFORD SHAW

Portmore