Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Trinidad's million-dollar blimps out of commission

Friday, June 2, 2006

by: Stephen Cummings
Caribbean Net News Trinidad Correspondent
Email: stephen@caribbeannetnews.com

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Two of Trinidad and Tobago's most expensive anti-crime fighting air security surveillance systems have been taken out of commission.

National Security Ministry officials have confirmed that the two recently acquired million-dollar security surveillance Skyships, the Skyship 600 and the 40B Skyship, have both been forced out of operation.

The development is said to have crippled some aspects of the security agencies' ability to continue the war against serious crimes in the country, especially kidnappings.

Caribbean Net News has learnt that one of the airships, the Skyship 600, will not be operational again as its trial period from its supplier had ended.

Security officials have also confirmed that they have not had access to the latest of the two airships for at least the last two weeks. The first blimp, the 40B Skyship is out of service due to mechanical problems. The authorities are now making attempts to purchase another blimp.

During the past carnival season two blimps, closed circuit TVs and other surveillance equipment had been used as part of the effort to maintain law and order.

Government had paid at least TT$1.8 million to Skyship Management, a United States company, for the rental of the Skyship 600. It had been on lease since December 28 last year, at a rental cost of US$100,000 per month.

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