Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a stern warning against individuals exploiting the chaos of Tropical Storm Melissa to steal or damage telecommunications equipment. Speaking at a press briefing at Jamaica House on Friday afternoon, Holness emphasized that such acts severely disrupt public safety, government operations, and the economy, warranting the full force of the law. He highlighted the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, where significant theft of fuel and telecoms equipment, rather than the hurricane itself, caused widespread communication outages. Holness reiterated the government’s commitment to amending relevant laws to impose stricter penalties and criminalize these acts. He also directed the security forces, including Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake, to prioritize protecting critical infrastructure during the storm. Holness stressed that those attempting to exploit the disaster for personal gain would face the harshest legal consequences.
#EyeOnMelissa: PM tells police go after persons who prey on telecoms infrastructure
