Jamaican schools to get CCTV cameras following death of 8-year-old girl

Jamaica’s Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams on Monday announced that Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras are to be installed at primary schools to enhance safety and security measures

Williams was speaking at the Braeton Primary and Infant School in Portmore, St Catherine, during a special devotion at the institution

The new measure comes after the death of 8-year-old student Danielle Rowe who was abducted from the institution on June 8 She was later found with her throat slashed and taken to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on June 10

“We’ve generally reserved CCTVs, or safety cameras, for high schools, especially those in vulnerable areas But having seen what has happened here at this very quiet primary and infant school, we have to begin to increase the safety and security so, at the very least, when there is a situation, we can at least get some footage,” Williams said Minister Williams also commended grief counselors at the school who are working with teachers and students who engaged with Danielle

She further said that the ministry is committed to supporting Danielle’s mom during this difficult time

“We know that there’ll be many expenses associated with this unexpected expenses; and so, we are committing to be with her through all of that,” the minister said Williams continued by stating that the perpetrators involved “should not be allowed to be among us [innocent civilians]”

“That person or those persons should be put away for a very long time,” she added

Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer for the St Catherine South Police Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Christopher Phillips has urged principals of schools within the Division to “do your best to establish a