Glenroy Sinclair and Arthur Hall, Senior Staff Reporters

This newly renovated building at Mobile Reserve, Up Park Camp in Kingston, will be the headquarters of the major joint police-military team that will be the core of a new anti-crime initiative. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

A MAJOR deployment of police and soldiers and several legislative changes should form the primary planks of new anti-crime measures to be announced by Prime Minister Bruce Golding today.

With more than 900 persons killed across the island in the first seven months of this year, the prime minister is expected to provide details of what he has described as "extraordinary measures" to deal with the crime problem.

Golding was initially scheduled to announce the anti-crime measures last week, but told the country he had to delay his presentation because he had not completed his consul-tations with several groups.

Since then, the prime minister has met with human-rights lobbyists and members of the Police Federation and yesterday, met with leading members of the private sector.

During those meetings, Golding outlined and sought support for the Government's plans, which the administration expects will offend some sections of the society.

Draconian

Already, one human-rights lobbyist has described the proposed measures as draconian.

Yvonne McCalla-Sobers, convenor of the group, Families Against State Terrorism, emerged from a meeting with Golding claiming that she was uneasy with the proposed anti-crime initiatives.

According to McCalla-Sobers, the Golding administration had agreed to measures, including amending the law to allow persons to be detained for up to 28 days without charge, the restriction of bail for gun-related offences, and the provision for majority verdict in non-capital murder cases.

Golding is expected to respond to the claims during today's presentation.

New appointments

Assistant Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington is expected to be placed in charge of the operational functions of the new anti-crime initiative.

Ellington was recently appointed to head operations in the police force, replacing Deputy Commissioner Linval Bailey, who has been seconded to the Port Authority.

Contacted yesterday, Elling-ton denied having any knowledge of the team and that he would be the man in charge.

The Gleaner has received reports that the team willbe immediately supervised bya group of experienced superintendents.

Finishing touches

The headquarters of this special unit will be based in a newly renovated building at the Mobile Reserve, Up Park Camp in Kingston.

Yesterday, when a Gleaner news team visited the facility, a team of soldiers was observed adding finishing touches to the building.

A high-ranking detective said at least 700 soldiers and police personnel were expected to be deployed to the streets by this weekend.

They are expected to be seen on foot and mobile patrols in targeted areas.