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Why Cameras Should NOT be Focused on Customs Officers

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Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite
Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite

The Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite is on public record agreeing to the installation of cameras in areas ‘worked’ by Customs Officers. As the minister responsible for advising the government on legal matters it is noteworthy laws do not currently […]exist to support the use of recordings in our Courts.

This is called politicians blowing hot air through the nether regions.

On the face of the issue commonsense suggest the deployment of  CCTV to monitor the interactions of Customs Officers with the public is the correct approach. However, there is the other view  to support why cameras should not be focussed on Customs Officers when conducting business with the public, especially importers. Here is an extract from the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (Article 1 — 24).

Article 10

All information which is by nature confidential or which is provided on a confidential basis for the purposes of customs valuation shall be treated as strictly confidential by the authorities concerned who shall not disclose it without the specific permission of the person or government providing such information, except to the extent that it may be required to be disclosed in the context of judicial proceedings.

The admission just this week by the Attorney General runs counter to the above, a perspective worthy of consideration at a time when subversive elements have taken deep root in our small country.

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95 responses to “Why Cameras Should NOT be Focused on Customs Officers”

  1. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Thanks David. I wish to reiterate that customs officers were never opposed to the installation of cameras at any port of entry. Their concern was always that the cameras should not be focused on them while their were carrying out their duties. Further they were insisting that the cameras should be under the control of the Customs and Excise Department and not an outside agency as was proposed.

    Barbados has come to expect that this current crop of politicians would speak first and think later. It would seem that the AG does not want to be left out of group.

  2. ac Avatar
    ac

    And i am at lost as to why “a small insignificant union” would be part and parcel of an issue that does not have any thing to do with employees rights, As it now stands the employer Govt) has a right to protect the interest of a country and countrymen and not be bothered by a few nitpicking disgruntled employees who are hell bent on protecting self interest.

  3. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    If these are the two caveats,there should be no further delay in having the installations done forthwith.

  4. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    Caswell, given the long history of impropriety amongst the Customs officers in Barbados, someone with some sort of common-sense should have suggested long ago that the cameras ought to be installed without the prior knowledge of the Customs officials to weed out the corrupted ones.

    And again Caswell, those cameras ought focus on everyone not excluding Custom officers who have a known history of stealing people’s stuff. And isn’t it a conflict of interest for the Custom officers to police themselves?

    So it therefore, militates against common sense that an agency which has a worldwide reputation for corruption to monitor its own personnel via camera surveillance. Where are the checks and balances Caswell?

  5. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Barbados lies very low on the corruption index.What is that JA saying?

  6. ac Avatar
    ac

    What the hell does that article has to do with cameras, being installed for security reasons, Firstly the cameras records actions and whatever information given to customs by those arriving in or out of port would be documentation in the form of verification applicable to ones personal identification which in that case the surveillance cameras would be of no threat, As the article indicates that any disclosures of information / documentation can only be obtained through judicial process,
    One would therefor purpose to believe that the surveillance cameras would be positioned after the persons had finalized verification and strictly focus on to the areas surrounding customs for the retrieving of personal belongings,

  7. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    Why do you insist on adhere to a position which belies the proper judgment and undermines common-sense?

    The installation of those cameras will reestablished in my estimation, the much needed credibility in the department of Customs Caswell.

    And since when can personnel within a governmental agency dictate whether or not the policies and procedures; implemented by the head executive of that agency undermines the rule of law and due-process?

    Listen! The President of the United States of America has no legislative power, but the veto, but he can still implement the policies and procedures within the executive branch of government to direct its affairs.
    So if the president says for example: that he wishes to have camera surveillance in the Secret Service quarts at all time, who can object?

  8. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Gabriel
    “Barbados lies very low on the corruption index”

    What is this egocentric-nincompoop endeavouring to convery with his smart Alex comment? Gabriel, are you cognizant of the reputation the Customs department has in my part of the world? Of course not, because you obviously resides under some reclusive bigrock in the far back woods of the countryside of Barbados.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    Every single topic…

  10. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    AC and Donkey have their roles to play which is to deflect criticisms away from the DLP administration. They achieve this by drawing criticisms to themselves and because they are anonymous, they can still walk the street without people realising who they happen to be.

    Generally, I ignore them. Others should do the same. You can sanitise this blog by removing their crap. By now you should realise that they drive people away because they don’t want to read through all their nonsense.

    Sent from my iPad

    >

  11. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    They both have a right to pedal their partisan views, and yes it gets boring knowing if Caswell, Bush Tea, Piece. Artax and few others posit a view the two of them will parrot opposition after consulting. What some commenters need to realize is that it is not necessary to comment on every blog. As individuals we don’t know everything and it is valuable to shut the hell up and learn from others sometimes.

  12. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    It sickening me to think that just because others do not agree with your ill-advised position regarding the installation of camera surveillance at the Customs department that you can try to induce the blog-administrator to censor them. Brother perhaps you have forgotten, but this isn’t Hitler’s Germany neither Castro’s Cuba where political agitators are silenced, imprisoned and perhaps murdered because their disagree with the prevailing sentiment of the dictatorial government.

    Listen Caswell, I have been on the BU blog far longer than you have, and as a matter of fact, David mightn’t have realize this, but I have been on BU from its inception, and under pseudonym Lexicon. I have been on Facebook far longer than you have Caswell, and I am perhaps one of the first Barbadians to join Facebook back in the days when things such a security features did not exist.

    And finally Caswell, you have stated in a previous post that you have been a member of the Union since 1980, will I myself have been member of the 1199 Healthcare Union since 1986, and during those years I have served under many competent and incompetent Union presidents. And the counsel that you as a Union leader are giving to the Customs officials leads me to question your competency and whether or not you should step aside and allow a more capable and competent individual to do the job.

  13. ac Avatar
    ac

    listen to Caswell talking about “driving people away” maybe the same analogy can be applied to Unity who can only generate a small following because of the over the top radical views mouthed by its leader Caswell Franklyn.
    Btw Franklyn frankly speaking i do not give a dam what your views are about ac, Criticism has been your Trademark now deal with the pounding that you get when criticisms are hurled at you.
    The fact being that you have taken a very important issue which all knows that is important to the National Interest/security and safety of a Barbados that will serve and preserver the safety of the people and turn it into a political football to serve and protect a handful of custom employees.
    Nobody in their right mind would agree with the stance that you are taking especially with the most recent revelation and the ongoing and continuance of crime with an escalation of high power guns used in to hurt and kill any one who gets in the way,,,nobody would not agree that every port hole should be sealed in effort to contain the number of guns flowing onto the streets of barbados,
    You have now become a town crier of your own dismal display of arrogance with an attitude to put wrong in place of right and a possibility which could be a cost to your own life or friends and family,

    To you David you should remove The Above Declaration posted above the comment box as it is a clear misrepresentation of what you espoused

  14. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    It just goes to show that you have been on the BU blog enough to concluded the just because I do not employ my name here that I can still walk the streets. Well I got news for you Caswell, firstly, you’re stupid to use your real name on this medium and secondly, David, Bush Tea, AC, MoneyBrain and many others who have been this BU blog for many years, knows my name because I have used my actual name for a long time in the past Brother. Caswell, you’re Johnny come lately so please do me a big favour and stop making an ass of yourself and take the little criticism because it will only serve to improve you as a person. NO PAIN NO GAIN!

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    Based on the document and reference presented it would be useful to prepare a matrix of countries in the world enforcing a no surveillance policy to give weight to your argument.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    @Dompey

    Because you have been commenting on the blog longer that Tom, Dick and Harry it does not mean many of your comments which are nothing more than rambling ‘soliloquies’ about your life in the USA are anything more than nuisance value. The same applies to your partner. See if it is possible even though you support the DLP party to post positions you can defend by citing reasonable positions. What makes it laughable is, you debate issues about Barbados in a 1970s context. When is the last time you visited Barbados?

    BU’s position is that we need surveillance, the issue is how do we implement it. Caswell has a different view, instead of dropping comments all over the blog like bird droppings try to attack the issue. Whether Caswell has a small union or some other irrelevant observation is not the point. People come on BU daily and attack the blogmaster, do you observe us wasting valuable time every day attacking these persons with personal characterizations? Both you and ac are logged on to BU longer than others and you post the most comments. What this means is that those who want to read your comments should get some value from it. To say it is a democracy and you are entitled to post empty comments means nothing. Try to read/follow positions sometimes and forget the personal attacks which have become boring to many who complain to BU. Engage in some introspection by asking how can my contributions add value to the exchanges. A discussion is not about you and your egos but about information shared.

  17. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    Look how on numerous occasions bag-handlers at Kennedy airport were caught on camera surveillance rummaging through passengers luggage with the expressed intent of stealing their stuff. So how could you in good conscience argue against such a deterrent?

    Come on Caswell, you as a man of influence and position in Barbados should be insisting that camera surveillance be installed and monitered by an outside entity to ensure the right kind of conduct in an enviroment which has been in question for years.

  18. ac Avatar
    ac

    Well lawd have merci how disingenuous to state that attacks are being launched and perpetrated by those who have been attack those being ac and others of dissenting opinions. Well lawd hav merci blog master you need to check your self it seems your are suffering from a toxic case of untruths and a debilating form of polluted mouthing .in any case as you say it is not about the blogger but somehow it seems some have used a calculated form of intoxicated pleasure to degrade and ridicule when others opinion differ and blog master to no avail have you ever see it proper to discipline the likes of bush white who have constantly told untruths about ac martial status of which he knows nothing about.

  19. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    You you’re talking nonsense David. Do I have to live in China to know what is going on in China? Do I have to visit Barbados on a regular basis to know that the QEH run out of toilet paper last year David. David, there is blog now called Facebook Barbados which debates the latest happenings in Barbados, plus I have three brothers and two sisters and a dear mother who still resides in Barbados. So stop spewing your nonsense David because it is not healthy for this important blog.

  20. David Avatar
    David

    @Dompey

    And we have noticed on Facebook Barbados and Wade Gibbons pages your comments are ignored. What does it say?

    The point BU made about not living in Barbados should not be interpreted as you just did, it obviously went pass your level of comprehension. An yes we have read your many comments, you don’t agree with Caswell. Do you have the capacity to move your argument forward? You may have the last word

  21. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    The last comment from donkey clearly shows why I have taken the position that I have on his contributions. Baggage handlers rummaging through bags is not the same thing as a customs officer conducting a private and confidential search of a passenger’s luggage. Nobody outside of customs should be privy to what is taking place while a person’s bags are being search.

    Neither customs officers nor I have ever said that they should be no cameras. We insist that the cameras were positioned to point in the wrong direction, and that the wrong persons were in control of the cameras and the stored images.

    >

  22. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    I am no longer on Facebook David because I am back here on BU now, but I cannot recall any instance where my good friend Wade Gibbons hadn’t replied to my comments in an intelligence and a positive manner. And as for as Facebook Barbados is concerned: I met some very wonderful people on that blog and we have had very great conversations. So I haven’t the slightest idea what you are talking about David; perhaps you have mistaken me for someone else?

  23. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Caswell
    One does not cast pearls to swine.
    …otherwise, onlookers will conclude that you are mad as shiite. 🙂

    Dompey, AC and Alvin DO have roles to play on BU, – but shiite man, ….that does NOT involve serious debate on complex issues.
    Just ignore the JAs and move on….

    Leave it to Artax and Bushie to toss appropriate scraps to the ‘swine’ from time to time…

    @ Dompey
    …Congrats.
    It seems that you have not burnt down any buildings in C******* recently.
    Way to go boss…..

  24. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Caswell Franklyn

    You should insist that the cameras be pointed directly at the Customs officers who have a known history and reputation of stealing visitors property in Barbados.

  25. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Bush Tea

    Have I heard you correctly or perhaps I on an another blog … what complex issues do you and your lot discourse here on BU?

    Bushie, all you and your lot continually and perpetually do all day and all night is to malign to ruling government in the face of a national audience.

    Do you not wonder why the young people of Barbados show no real interest in conversing with you lot here on BU. Let me tell you why Bushie because as intelligent as you all may appear to be, you still cannot hold their interest of the young people of Barbados. Isn’t that a shame?

    David, Wade Gibbons and the Facebook Barbados blogs are loaded with young open-minded Barbadians who are engage in positive discussion daily with an emphasis on learning.

    Why hasn’t the BU blog been able to attach and engage the attention of the conscientious
    Barbadian youth as of yet?

  26. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    I was born in 1966 in a quater of the city called Dean Village, and I haven’t any real knowledge of 1970 politics in Barbados, but what I have read and been told. David, 66+4=70; I was 4 years old brother!

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Dompey

    If you are unhappy with the BU discourse why not retreat to FB where you are largely ignored?

  28. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    Now lets move but I refuse and will repudiate any effort to bully me into accepting a position with belies the tools of common-sense and reason.

    And Caswell’s position doesn’t reflect the latter because what kind of nonsense is he conveying by trying to convinces us that the Customs officers have a problem with the cameras pointing directly at them. Well too bad, their reputation demands nothing less and if I had my own way I would strap the cameras on their persons.

  29. Shaft Avatar
    Shaft

    if cameras were evident we would caught the culprits that opened our container without us being present and helped themselves to our hard earned merchandise…! Like many returning nationals we were extremely disappointed at the custom officers for what they stole from us… We’re still, after 2 years, fighting to get justice and compensation for our stolen goods… At one point my wife decided that she could not take the stress and wanted to return to the UK….
    I’ve spoken to many returning nationals who have experienced the same fate. The majority of returning nationals are up in age and find even more stressful to complain, they therefore remain silent… Regardless of how long this takes, we will fight our case!!!
    Get the cameras in ASAP….!!!

  30. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    BU is okay David, but like anything else it has its strengths as well as its weaknesses.

    Now with respect to your comment regarding Facebook -(Please)- Actually, I had a large following on Facebook from my childhood friends in Barbados, the Mounted Police, the college buddies, the Police Band members, the Army buddies, the Union friends, the coworkers family and strangers.

    But what I hated most about Facebook was the level hypocrisy emanating from family, friends and foes alike, so because I tell them all off and cause bad blood between us. I finally, decided that that overrated hypocritical medium wasn’t for me because I usually try to keep it real David.

  31. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Dompey
    …so let us get this…!!
    Facebook don’t want you….
    BU don’t want you…
    ‘family, friends, and foes alike’ don’t want you…

    …so YOU decided to abandon that ‘over-rated medium’
    ..and to grace US here on BU with your “jack-assery” ….
    How thoughtful of you…. 🙂

    How about your neighbours…? you and them OK? cause…
    Bushie may be having second thoughts about your recent conflagration yuh…
    Um may not have been caused by your old cell phone without the spell-check after all…

    Watch ya self hear Domps…. Dem Merkans ain’t easy like David hear…?

  32. ac Avatar
    ac

    So what is the post about ? Ha!Ha!

  33. TheObserver Avatar
    TheObserver

    Three words by themselves are not funny “Every single topic”.
    But when you know the context, they bring water to your eyes as you die with laughter; and yet one can sense the frustration of the speaker.
    Let all speak.

  34. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Bush Tea

    You’re the ultimate BU spin-doctor, twisting and misrepresenting others comments to appease your own self-serving agenad, as though you’re compensating for your extremely myopic phallus?

    Your time could be better spent sewing Hats for the deprived and underprivileged children of Barbados Bushie.

  35. TheObserver Avatar
    TheObserver

    I have read all of the postings and still cannot figure out why having cameras focused on customs officers as they carry out their duties is a “bad idea”.

    Are the officers fearful that that at some stage the videos will be circulated to the public and (1) can therefore lead to harm or threats against them and their families, or (2) such exposure could lead to attempts at bribery?
    .
    My concerns are (1) who would have control of the recordings, (2) how long would the recordings be stored and (3) what would the recordings be used for. These are items that should properly addressed before cameras are installed.

    They should be installed. We are all aware of the pros of having cameras in these area; a decrease in theft and pilferage and more transparency in dealings with the public.

  36. TheObserver Avatar
    TheObserver

    @David
    I see that quite often they are calls for censorship or banishment or some of the contributors. I am always fearful that you may be act on those requests.
    Hang in there, and continue to exercise sound judgement. Each is contributing in his/her own way.

  37. TheObserver Avatar
    TheObserver

    they=there

  38. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    …Or David, perhaps we should ship Bushie to Serbia to break big-rock into small- rocks in the zero degree weather?

  39. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Observer

    Because Caswell Franklyn and David said that it is, and I guess they words are written law round and about these parts. It is kinda like the baddest man in the valley attitude around these parts bozzie.

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @TheObserver

    You have read the comments but have you read the blog and the quote from Article 10 why Caswell and others are opposed?

    @Domkey

    You are truly living up to your label as a jackass. If you reread the comments you should be able to discern BU is for the installation of cameras. However it does not mean we do not have the capacity to encourage opposing views. As stated previously you need to return to FB OR your meds.

    JA

  41. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    I can see that there is a serious misunderstanding of the role and function of customs. Customs officers only come into contact with cargo in the presence of the importer or his agent. Cargo at the seaport is stored and secured by the Port Authority. Customs officers have no access. It would be difficult if not impossible for a customs officer to go into a secured area that is controlled by the Port Authority and steal things. A customs officer in that area would stick out like a sore thumb.

    When the cameras were first proposed in the area where officers check the barrels, it was as a result of complaints that the officers were not charging enough duty on barrels. They expected that the barrel trade would dry up with the advent of Price Mart and since that did not happen their only explanation was that customs was charging too little duty.

    They then proposed to install the cameras with such resolution that they would have been able to clearly pick up the handwriting of the officers. They would then have been able to see for themselves that the officers were giving breaks to the poor people that were relying on barrels from relatives to survive.

    Customs officers’ security is at risk if there are cameras pointing at them while performing their duties. If there is some concern about pilferage, it can only happen in the area that is outside the control of Customs. Maybe they should focus their cameras in that direction and stop trying to defame Customs Officers for political purposes.

    All of a sudden, the yardfowls are trying to blame Customs for every conceivable sin because their beloved DLP wants to disadvantage them in their move to BRA and the officers refuse to co-operate in their own demise.

    >

  42. ac Avatar
    ac

    What does the article say? If one reads with clarity no where in the article dies it states with absolute that cameras should not be present while an officer is carrying out their duties. However it state with clarity that no information pertaining to custom duties should be obtained without judicial process
    One should consider that in issues if national security that long standing precedants have often been removed by courts making way for what is proper and right in the National interest

  43. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    Don’t make me laugh David … what particularly is there to argue about? It belies reason and the tool of common-sense not to install those cameras given the past history and reputation of some Customs officers in Barbados. Caswell, argument appear to be nothing more than an appeal to ignorance argument, and he ought to have known better enough said David. Now, has Bush Tea taken my advice regarding the Serbia proposal? The one where he is charged with the duty of breaking big-rocks into small- rocks in the zero degree weather?

  44. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    Caswell, your assertion that the cameras not be directed at the Customs officers directly lacks strength of operational best practices. There are no secrets to searching a bag or barrel or no special customs practices that would be divulged with such a viewing.

    Surely showing the face of the officer is not required or necessary so the cameras can be pointing downward from behind the officer. In any properly organized operation if there is a need to identify the officer based on some discrepancy on the film then a combination of location identifiers (likely number of position) , time stamp and the general description of the officer shown would suffice to confirm a positive (and legally sound) identification.

    I was amused by your earlier remark to the extent that people (politicians in particular you asserted) would not want their stuff displayed for all to see. Well, as true as that may be it in no way takes away the right of any custom official to search personal belongings very aggressively.

    Were you suggesting that the ‘dildo’ couldn’t be filled with high quality white powder of the illegal variety? So a customs officer must be too embarrassed for Mr, or Ms. Politician or Private Citizen to check it carefully. I know you were tongue in cheek as you wouldn’t suggest such nonsense.

    I completely understand your concern that the video must be maintained by government officials ideally within Customs itself. And I completely understand your concern for the safety of Customs officers.

    But none of that negates that a practical and viable solution can be found for immediate security review of all aspects of customs interface to products passing across our borders.

    And I do not agree with your contention of severe threats to customs officers based on the video evidence. Currently if a Customs officer angers an importer, that officer’s identity is know. After all this is Barbados not Gatwick or O’hare or a seaport in either city; how does video info make it any more dangerous in a real world!!!

  45. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    David

    If there is one thing all Barbadians must agree upon, is the prompt installation of those cameras to keep check on those legal criminals in Customs who have been stealing people’s property for decades and more. Prior to migrating to the States my father sent the family a barrel, and when my madda I myself when down to the port to collective this barrel, more that haft of the items my father told us where in the barrel were missing.

  46. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    So stop defending ignorance David, you’re a much smart man than that. David, there is no room for compromise and debate regarding the installation of camera surveillance of these Customs officials. Let the history and practices of this egregious lot justify the warranted for such installation David.

  47. de Ingrunt Word Avatar
    de Ingrunt Word

    Dompey, you display your bias and thus your absolute inability to be objective very prominently. First it was that ‘College Boy’ diss that had you all in a tizzy and you manifested your pain on the BU pages like a young adolescent who couldn’t get over the long ago broken heart and diss by unnecessarily berating HC.

    Now is some fight you had with a Customs officer and you can’t listen to facts and realize you not being objective.

    According to the evidence of those who know, your assertions that ‘Customs’ stole your barrel items and always stealing ‘people things’ is a lazy, spiteful accusation that is likely way off the mark because before it gets to Customs there are many people who come into contact with the product who could be the culprits.

    That is obvious and straightforward to anyone who has even been involved with any aspect of importing yet you continue to berate only Customs specifically.

    What was it this time, did a Customs guy horn you? Or did a lovely Customs lass, tell you to haul your backside even before you got to first base?

    Take the facts as they are and stop allowing your personal slights to get in the way of commonsense. Fah real, stop being petty.

  48. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    LOL @ Dee Word who told Dompey…
    “Fah real, stop being petty…”
    +++++++++++++++++++++++
    …and do wuh? dry up?

    Man get over it Dee Word…
    Birds must fly and dogs must bark…
    Dompey is about petty…

    …and AC is about asinine…. BUT..

    At least AC has to be fairly attractive..
    …cause according to recent research
    a blogger CANNOT be ugly
    …AND unmannerly TOO….

    LOL ha ha ha

  49. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    I think I see the argument………it is said the
    problem with cameras is that they put 5 pounds on you. The real problem is five pounds of what

  50. Dompey Avatar
    Dompey

    Bush Tea

    Why can’t bloggers be ugly and unmannerly? You’re ugly and unmannerly, but yet you’re still here Bushie.

The blogmaster invites you to join and add value to the discussion.

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