00:00Criminologist Dr. Randy C. Passard tells the Morning Edition elements of passenger data
00:06screening already exist across the region, with airlines sharing traveller information
00:11with immigration authorities before flights land.
00:14However, he notes, the proposed advanced passenger information system will significantly strengthen
00:22how that intelligence is analysed and used, moving this country to a more advanced level
00:28of security screening.
00:30From the time you purchase your ticket, they have information on where you purchased it,
00:36how you purchased it, you know, your name, your address, where you're going, the route
00:41that you're taking, etc. The amount of luggage that you're travelling with, all of this information
00:46is recorded. And this system compares it using international databases, whether it's databases,
00:54intelligence databases, databases of known criminals, terrorist databases, stolen passport databases,
01:03you name it.
01:04The Criminologist is also assuring citizens there is no need for panic about personal data
01:10use, stressing that systems like the APIS are structured to support law enforcement efforts,
01:17while maintaining safeguards for legitimate travellers.
01:21We are talking, you know, top-notch security systems, properly firewall and so forth, so that
01:29people can't easily get into these systems to get the information that these systems contain.
01:34So I think, you know, while those fears are reasonable, I think members of the public really shouldn't
01:40be too concerned about their privacy being invaded.
01:44On a separate issue, Dr. Sipasad also weighs in on the ongoing state of emergency, saying,
01:51while such measures are not a long-term solution to crime, the reported 42 percent reduction in
01:57murders is significant. He says, this government continues to actively address the root causes
02:04of criminal activity and supports the youth, as part of its broader strategy to reducing violence
02:11nationwide. He highlights the initiative from the Ministry of Homeland Security.
02:17The idea behind it is to create a better coordinated system that provides services to at-risk youths,
02:27to basically revamp that entire system and to retool that system, find out what are the gaps,
02:36whether legislative, whether in terms of service provision, et cetera, so that you really target
02:42the most marginalised in the country and you provide the services that are needed to reduce
02:49the likelihood that they engage in crime.
02:51Nicole M. Romani, TV6 News.
02:57Voice-
02:58Voice-over-
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