Businesses asked to help fight crime

By RASHAD ROLLE

POLICE officers are calling on business owners to help in the fight against crime by participating in the Urban Renewal Project.

Orgainsers of the project believe that increasing employment will help prevent young people from participating in unproductive activities.

Inspector Ricardo Richardson of the Southern Urban Renewal Project said: "This is what we are trying to do: encourage companies to partner with the Urban Renewal Project to fight crime. Once persons have something to focus their attention on, they won't get involved in criminal activities."

Inspector Richardson thanked Michael Jones, manager of the Inland Project Construction Company on Centerville Road, for committing to the project and offering to hire more staff.

Mr Jones said: "Our objective is to equip young men with skills so they could have something to do."

He said a change in the attitudes of young men is already noticeable.

"Once these guys get a salary, they want to buy their tools. Though it is true that some guys sometimes fall by the wayside, that isn't true for most.

"Two or three of these guys were bound for jail but they here working now," he said.

The initiative has the support of the community, according to Corporal Allen.

She said people are "are excited that we are doing the Urban Renewal Project. In addition to being glad that young men are receiving something positive to do, they are more comfortable now knowing that there are Urban centres where they can come and explain their concerns."

Furthermore, as part of the Urban Renewal Project, young and old persons will have the opportunity to be trained in the use of computers thanks to a partnership with Lignum Technologies, according to Sgt Lisa Pratt.

Comments

John says...

Yes this can work but what about the police responsibility to businesses? When these business persons call for help for a shoplifter or someone even robbing their store,or threatening their staff? what about the break- ins that cost business owners so much damage expense and loss of inventory and equipment?. How long will they have to hear the cry, "we ainn gat no cars right now, can you come to the police station and make a reoprt?. Make a report for what? If you think u too lazy to come take a report you think it going any further than the desk it get write on? Soon (da reckly) they gonna be calling on the public to come drive police cars, answer the phone and watch prisoners in the cell, while the police go to Bamboo Shack or Dirty's or pick up their kids from school. Some of those a/cs need to be turned down (warmer) in those police stations and some turned off in those police cars until these policemen get back to work.. Tackle crime first, then chill!

Posted 19 June 2012, 3:37 p.m. Suggest removal

PKMShack says...

Had the same experience with the RBPF.

Posted 19 June 2012, 4:52 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

Bahamians do what is INspected of them not what is EXpected. Therefore when an officer claims there is no patrol car to assist in a complaint, because no higher authority figure questions why wasn't there a vechile available, no better is done. As simply as travelling thru the airport, because it is INpected of us to remove our shoes, belt etc, we do it before even told to; but let there be no airport authority besides the personnel behind the carry-on bag x-ray, you'll see how easily we forget simple requirements. Even with this Urban Renewal Project, it is Expected that when a person reaches a certain age, to obtain a job is ones desire. However if not INspected to obtain and keep a job, some persons forget the lawful requirements of obtaining money. Look at the above picture, its EXpected of a male when entering a building to remove his hat, but again because no one INspected them to do so -

Posted 20 June 2012, 6:39 a.m. Suggest removal

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