Letter of the Day | Impose severe penalties for vandalising utility infrastructure

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In the wake of the recent hurricane, many Jamaicans remain without electricity, including in communities that were not heavily damaged by the storm itself. While the Jamaica Public Service continues to work to restore power as quickly as possible, recovery efforts are being repeatedly undermined by vandalism and theft of utility infrastructure.

In one community in St Ann, newly installed streetlights in the town square were stolen within a week. They were replaced, only to be stolen again shortly thereafter. This is not an isolated incident. Similar reports of stolen cables and equipment continue to surface across the island. At a moment when the country should be pulling together, this behaviour is deeply troubling.

This is not petty crime. Every stolen cable delays power to homes, clinics, schools, and businesses. Every stolen streetlight makes communities less safe. We cannot pretend this does not directly affect national recovery.

The absence of swift and serious consequences has allowed this behaviour to persist. That reality must change. Immediate, post-disaster measures are now necessary. These should include significantly enhanced penalties for theft or possession of utility infrastructure, with fines of no less than ten times what the stolen equipment is worth and mandatory imprisonment. Utility equipment should be permanently engraved or marked in a way that renders it unusable if tampered with — a practical, low-cost deterrent.

There must also be firm enforcement along the scrap metal supply chain. Dealers found in possession of utility materials should face immediate closure, heavy fines, and prosecution. A clearly defined post-disaster protection period, with automatically increased penalties, would send an unmistakable message that theft of national infrastructure will not be tolerated.

In addition, the Government should consider offering a substantial cash reward for information leading to the recovery of stolen materials, with no immunity for anyone involved in the theft. Fast-track court proceedings for post-disaster infrastructure crimes would further reinforce that message.

Criminals cannot be allowed to dictate the pace of Jamaica’s rebuilding. If we fail to act decisively now, we normalise lawlessness at the very moment the nation needs order, cooperation, and trust.

Recovery requires consequences, accountability, and a shared commitment to protecting what belongs to all of us.

SHERRY WOODHOUSE