By LEANDRA ROLLE 

Tribune Chief Reporter 

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Chinese-Bahamian Community met with senior police officials yesterday to discuss ongoing concerns about crime and response times as the holiday season nears.

The meeting, which included about 40 community members and Chinese Ambassador Yan Jiarong, was prompted by the non-fatal shooting of a Chinese woman earlier this year.

The Tribune understands the victim, a store owner, was heading to a social event in July when she was shot in the arm.

Susie Chan, a community member, told The Tribune yesterday that the incident raised concerns and prompted residents to ask officials for safety tips.

“Some of the community members wanted some clarification on if they’re anticipating more crime in their bar or liquor store and if they have to take down any petition so that was another issue,” she said.

“They feel that, you know, it might spike crime and then, you know, this is the season when you come into the end of the year when usually crimes spike.”

During the session, Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles and other officers shared safety tips with business owners and residents, urging them not to take unnecessary risks during armed robberies and to prioritise personal safety over valuables.

Community members, particularly business owners, also called for faster police response times, with some questioning why it often takes so long for CID officers to collect fingerprints or to answer 911 calls.

Suggestions were also made to strengthen partnerships with the police and to encourage community members to get to know officers in their local areas.

Keno Wong, former chairman of the National Neighbourhood Watch Council, who attended the meeting, said police were receptive to the questions and described the discussions as “progressive.”

“There’s going to be another follow up meeting,” he said, “but it was very cordial.”