Snaggs vex with E-999 crank calls

Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs yesterday advised that members of the public who make false reports to the police will feel the full brunt of the law.

In quoting crime statistics and the success of the police in dealing with crime, the Ag Commissioner said that up until yesterday 42 persons were kidnapped for ransom. “Many of these kidnappings are not genuine and we have had instances where persons made false reports to the police, and so far ten persons have been charged with making false reports of kidnappings. “I am advising members of the public who waste the police time that officers will take full action,” said the tough talking Ag Commissioner.

On another matter of the wasteful employment of the police, Snaggs pointed out that every month the E-999 control centre in St James receives over 130,000 calls. He added that only 5,000 of those calls are genuine and the other 125,000 are not genuine distress calls. He pointed out that some persons call the E-999 to find out where the nearest grocery is located. The Ag commissioner issued another call yesterday for members of the public to assist in the fight against crime by providing any useful information. Following the address by Snaggs, a Siparia family were presented with an award of gallantry for the rescue of two E-999 officers, while others were also awarded for gallantry and assisting in the fight against crime.