National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has admitted that the resources of the security forces and emergency responders have been stretched thin in responding to the wave of bomb threats in recent days.

“We have certainly been stretched by the activities, but our team has responded effectively, both the emergency operating team, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force, the [Jamaica] Fire Brigade, and ODPEM [Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management]. The activities, of course, indicate that while we responded and were able to do work and effective guidance around the schools and provide effective support, we will have to expand our emergency operating teams in [dealing with] this level of activity. This kind of activity in some communities has been recurrent and we will have to ensure we expand our teams,” Chang explained.

The security minister, who was speaking at Wednesday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, assured that all the required resources in the security forces have been mobilised to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, including support from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Chang also noted that additional security resources are needed to effectively manage bomb threat situations such as explosive detecting canines.

In the meantime, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey says the police are pursuing several leads in the investigation of the bomb threats that have caused dislocation and disruption to the operations of several schools, the courts, and business establishments such as Kingston Wharves Ltd.

Bailey, who was also speaking during the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, November 15, disclosed that the bomb threats were issued via social media platforms, email, and telephone calls.

“We are doing some local leads as I indicated, they use the Instagram platform, email, and telephone calls, those are the methods that were used to issue the threats and we are working around the clock to ensure that justice is done,” he said.

The deputy commissioner of police, who is in charge of crime, noted that preliminary investigations suggest that the perpetrators of the bomb threats are individuals who are experienced in the cyber world.

“Both the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] and MOCA [Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency] are working together with our international partners, as indicated by the Minister to ensure that these persons who we believe are quite savvy in the cyber world and in our interaction with our international partners they have also indicated that these individuals are not just ordinary people. Some of the information we have we cannot disclose but what I will say to the public is we are committed to ensuring that those persons who are responsible will be brought to justice,”

DCP FITZ BAILEY

According to the police, the series of bomb threats are a hoax.

The education ministry has disclosed that 74 schools have so far been impacted by the series of bomb threats sent between Thursday, November 9 and Tuesday, November 14.

One person of interest was taken into custody on Friday, November 10, in connection to the bomb threats that were received.