Cops promised comfort by Christmas

In a very confident voice, while at the same time being careful about a relocation and repairs completion date, Junior Minister of National Security Anthony Roberts has promised the officers of Maracas Bay,  Maracas/St Joseph, Santa Cruz and St Joseph police stations comfort by Christmas.

Acknowledging the dilapidated state of the stations he saw on his whirlwind visits yesterday, Minister Roberts openly boasted that the officers would see action soon. "I am certain you are going to see some action, I give you that promise,” he assured the police officers yesterday. "While it is difficult to give a time frame on when the officers at the Maracas Bay Police Station will be relocated, or when the other problems would be dealt with,  you can rest assured it will be before the end of the year."

The recently promoted minister made the  statements to Newsday following the three-hour tour of the four stations. The tour came about following the relocation of officers from the Carenage police station to Four Roads  last week, and a call by officers for the Minister and Commissioner of Police to visit the stations and to see for themselves the present conditions that exist. Carded to have started on Monday last, the tour was postponed because of engine problems with the helicopter, which Newsday later learnt was because of  officials’ fear of flying in bad weather.

Roberts insisted, "Officers can more than keep their fingers crossed; they can hold their breath that they will be relocated, and the other problems dealt with by Christmas. What I have seen so far is that the stations need help at this stage, and that is why we are here.  It is the first step we have taken to come to see exactly what is happening." "This is not just talk or public relations, but a promise," he emphasised. Supporting the Minister while confirming that 80 percent of the stations are in need of repairs or some type of work, Ag Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs indicated he would be making some forceful recommendations, and with a new Minister, he expects some action. Snaggs also promised the visits and repairs to stations will be done on a continuous basis.