PORT ANTONIO, Portland — A critical infrastructure crisis persists within Portland’s law enforcement facilities, with health authorities revealing that seven of the parish’s nine police stations remain in dire need of urgent rehabilitation. Despite commencing repairs at the severely dilapidated Port Antonio Marine Police Station, the overwhelming majority of facilities fail to meet satisfactory operational standards.
Lorenzo Hume, Portland’s Chief Public Health Inspector, provided this concerning assessment during the recent monthly meeting of the Portland Municipal Corporation. While acknowledging ongoing renovation efforts at the marine station located at Errol Flynn Marina, Hume emphasized the extensive work required across the police infrastructure network. “Only two stations are currently considered satisfactory,” he stated, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.
The Inspector referenced previous communications regarding the Manchioneal Police Station, where authorities had committed to addressing sewage system issues by December’s end. Although these repairs remain incomplete, Hume expressed optimism that progress would accelerate following the holiday season.
However, significant bureaucratic challenges continue to impede resolution efforts. Hume detailed frustrations in maintaining consistent communication with police leadership, citing frequent managerial changes that necessitate repeated re-engagement processes. This administrative instability, combined with jurisdictional ambiguities regarding facility maintenance responsibilities within the Ministry of National Security, has substantially delayed essential improvements.
Amid these systemic challenges, a tangible achievement has emerged at the Port Antonio Marine Station. Following November 2024 reports by the Jamaica Observer that documented officers working under leaky roofs and in substandard living conditions, visible repairs were underway during a recent visit. Law enforcement personnel expressed relief and satisfaction with the improvements, with one officer noting: “This is long overdue and will make our working conditions better and more comfortable.”