Opinion: 24 Hr Police Presence for St George’s
[Written by Clinton Paynter] As a life long resident of St. George’s I must ask how long will it take to get a 24 hour police presence in the town?
The police station was closed down for an extended period a few years ago. It’s renovation and subsequent opening where interestingly timed to coincide with the last General Election. The station is said by police to be staffed between the hours of 8am to 10pm, but one day recently at 2pm it was already closed and locked up tight.
Much effort is being expended to revive and revitalize the beleaguered old town but these efforts will prove fruitless if an issue as basic as security cannot be adequately addressed. I know this sounds absurd but does the town have to hire its own security? I thought that was one of the reasons we pay taxes!
I personally have been in meetings where the public have begged and pleaded with senior members of the Police Service to open the station on an around the clock basis. Their response? Statistics were quoted that the overall rate of crime in St. George’s is down, precious police resources are needed elsewhere and the St. David’s Station is close enough. This is not good enough! Properties have been ransacked and vandalized less than 100 feet from the station. Statistics do not help you to sleep at night, nor have they any meaning if you are the one unlucky enough to be the victim.
The local police have said that they are interested in garnering the support and friendship of the St, George’s people but how can this be accomplished if their pleas are ignored? I can remember the days when there were regular foot patrols at night, officers would check doors of businesses to ensure that the properties were secure. Does this still occur on the regular ie. a few times a night? I have not seen it. Is this just another sign of the times? It seems our tax burden increases while overall levels of service decline.
I join with the Mayor Kenneth Bascome in calling for a 24 hour police presence and a fully functioning police station for the Town of St. George.
[Written by Clinton Paynter, whose writings can be found on the Bermudafirst blog]
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I had a similar conversation via the net with an old friend Leslie Centre who has lived in St. George since …1800….
The excuses Government and Police give are to a degree debatable.
St. Davids has become more populated since the closing of the Base but crime in that area and traffic has not increased that much to warrant a station there.
Free buildings, easy access and Government funded via ‘contract’ repairs made it easy.
Works and Engineering repair, modify, maintain Government buildings.
How much did Government pay for the set up/repair and allignment of Southside. How much was paid to contractors. How much is still not done.
I did ten years in St. George. Marine Police, CID.
Man on the street, even one is better than a part time individual with no powers, formal training.
Enough.
Accountability is what it is all about and I don’t see it except for retoric from pensionable persons.
Don’t want to hear about manpower, sick leave, annual leave et al.
There are resources there to tackle this.
This gives a new meaning to thinking outside
“No 10″
Think about it.
Since the govt is orphaning off their schools for lack of funds, maybe we could find enough citizens to “Adopt a Police Station” to keep them open too.
So St Davids has 2 stations basically, South side and airport… Question? Why isn’t there a 24 hour station in St Georges. Really, I can see if there wasn’t a building but didn’t the OLD ONE JUST GET RENOVATED FOR ST GEORGES COMMUNITY… OK no ship no station, Maybe we should just close the causeway and keep the airport, At least we’ll have a way outta here…..Because this Government have lost there damn mind.. Jokers
Ah!!!!! You dream Tee.
St. Davids Islanders could live for centuries without intrusion.
Nothing further be said on my part. Tey have done it for 400 years……………………..and look at the stats…..
as usual Bullsh#t baffles Brains
Before the 2007 election we called for 24 hr presence in St. Geo and of course still stand by that need. I am glad to see that others agree!
Good piece Clinton.
Michael,
Looks like you’re sucking up to a potential vote for the next general election. Are you in the process of removing Kim from Clinton’s constituency?