By KHRISNA VIRGIL
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said authorities have already started to see the positive effects of Urban Renewal 2.0 in many inner city communities.
Dr Nottage gave the update following the opening ceremony of the RBPF's 19th annual summer youth programme.
Speaking specifically about the Bain and Grants Town constituency, which he represents as a Member of Parliament, Dr Nottage said the initiative is already making a significant impact on violent crime.
He said the evidence is there in the police crime reports sent to the media every day.
"If you notice from the police crime reports, especially over the past two weeks, there has been more mention of the discovery of weapons and ammunition. This is because we have people coming forward and telling authorities which area and in what places certain kinds of behaviours occur," he said.
Many persons, Dr Nottage said, are growing accustomed to an active police presence in their communities.
Urban Renewal 2.0 was one of the PLP's major campaign promises in the lead-up to the 2012 general elections.
Although some uneasiness was expressed at the launch of the programme, many residents in various communities have expressed high hopes for its success.
Two weeks ago, Inspector Rolle, head of the Urban Renewal project for Bain and Grants Town, said his team aimed to foster good relationships with residents.
"It's all about crime prevention," he said. "We are looking at crime from the perspective of the environment and we have concluded that in addition to fixing dilapidated buildings and removing derelict vehicles, we have to do our best to provide persons within the community with jobs."
Asked about the initiative, one resident, Tamika Roberts, expressed her support.
"It's a good thing," she said. "The police presence is a deterrent to crime in inner communities. When the police is around, criminals refuse to commit crime."
Comments
bookiedread 12 years, 4 months ago
Is Dr. Nottage really serious about the effects of Urban Renewal? Everynight someone comes to PMH suffering from gunshot wounds or stab wounds. If we think that the police only withheld information concerning those recent rapes and home invasions, what other information and they withholding from the country in order to make the government look good. Child please.
Arob 12 years, 4 months ago
Bookiedread, I concur. For Urban Renewal 2.0, the first year is 2012/2013 is the baseline. The following years 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 should be compared to the baseline. This is how success is measured. The question is: Will 2015/2016 be better than 2012/2013. What is better?--- less houses to demolish, less demand for physical presence of police officers etc.
concernedcitizen 12 years, 4 months ago
WE HAD URBAN RENEWAL ALREADY ..THE PEOPLE HAVE TO TELL THE POLICE WHERE THE BAD GUYS ARE ????WHAT HAVE THE POLICE BEEN DOING WEARING BLINDERS ,,MAN THEY BEEN SELLING DOPE SINCE I WAS A KID ON FORT HILL ,,RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE EAST STREET POLICE STATION ,AND I,M FIFTY NOW ,,,MAYBE WE SHOULDN,T PUT BLIND PEOPLE ON THE FORCE ,,,AS LONG AS THE LEST EDUCATED AMONGTS US ARE HAVING OODLES OF KIDS WITH NO FATHERS IN THE HOUSE AND THE FATHERS THAT ARE THERE ARE HOODS OUR CRIME RATE WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE ...WHEN YOUR BIRTH RATE OUTPACES YOUR GDP THERE ARE NOT JOBS FOR ALL AND WHAT CAN KIDS W/ A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION DO IN AN ADVANCING SOCIETY ...
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