Customs officers protest cameras in Arrival Hall

THE INSTALLATION and recent operation of close circuit surveillance cameras in the Arrival Hall of the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), seems headed for a showdown with customs officers.According to well-informed sources, a delegation of union shop stewards is to meet with Comptroller of Customs Frank Holder on Wednesday to protest the latest development.“The cameras are operated by the GAIA and also have audio or eaves-dropping capacity. The customs officers see this as an insult to them as a law enforcement agency to have another agency monitoring them on a 24-hour basis,” a customs source told the SUNDAY SUN yesterday.The officers charged that due to the nature of the work performed by them in the arrival area, including examining passengers’ baggage and conducting interviews, it is inappropriate to have “an external agency having access to such intimate knowledge of customs operations”.They also submitted that any cameras employed in what has been described as a “sensitive area”, should only be monitored by the customs department, noting that information from this area could also have implications for the safety of their officers.“We are saying that the GAIA has a role to play at the airport, but they (GAIA) must realise that the other regulatory agencies at the airport have their roles to perform which are vital to the safety and security of this country,” the source added.The officers said they were not a threat to security “but an integral part of any airport apparatus not a lesser partner, but an equal one”, and it was about time customs officers be given the capacity to do monitoring.“The same courtesy that is given to customs officers in other jurisdictions worldwide, the local officers want as well,” one source said.When contacted, Keith Goddard, GAIA corporate communications specialist, confirmed there were close circuit cameras in operation at the airport’s Arrival Hall which were monitored by airport staff.He however added that this development was fully endorsed by all relevant agencies including the ministry responsible for the customs department.Goddard also said GAIA had met with senior customs officials on the matter and the operation of the cameras was part of the overall strategy for the airport’s adherence to international standards.The proposed installation of surveillance cameras at the ports of entry has always been a contentious issue and as far back as 2003, when customs officers at the Bridgetown Port protested about plans to install cameras in the transit sheds.