The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Bernard Nottage praised Atlantis security and the police for doing an “excellent” job in quickly apprehending those responsible for the brazen attempted robbery of the resort’s casino.

Speaking yesterday, the minister noted the importance of the tourism industry to the country’s economy and said the security of the country’s hotels may need reassessing in the wake of the failed heist.

“I think the law enforcement agencies did an excellent job. I think the security detail at Atlantis, as always, did an excellent job, as well,” he said.

“I want to commend our officers for the quick response and the ability to apprehend those who were the perpetrators before they had any opportunity to either rob the casino of any large sums of money or to get off the island.”

When asked if the incident called for increased police presence at resorts, Dr Cottage said: “I think casinos have pretty good security detail in all of these properties. But of course we are ready to provide whatever assistance is needed.

“The commissioner has not brought to my intention thus far any such request but I’m sure that they will now be reassessing the security for these resorts – which are always uppermost in our minds because clearly tourism is the livelihood of our economy and it’s very important that we provide adequate security.”

Dr Nottage said he doesn’t think persons who perpetrate such crimes as the failed Atlantis robbery “give any consideration” to the tourism industry.

“I think these are just greedy young men who really used their intelligence to figure out how to beat the system rather than how to become a part of the system,” he said.

It is the nation’s job, he said, to inculcate in young men “values” which can prevent them from engaging in such behaviour.

“But as long as there are people, there will be criminals among us. And as long as there is lots of money around there will be people who will try to get it the easy way,” he said.