The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

SENIOR officers attached to the Central Police Station will spend less time on desk duty and more time patrolling the downtown area, Superintendent Stephen Dean said yesterday.

Supt Dean, who was recently appointed Head of the Central Police Station, said all officers regardless of their rank will be "pacing the pavement" ensuring Bahamians and tourists are safe.

"We believe that police presence, police walking about and being seen, reduces the fear of crime to some degree," he said.

"Crime will always be with us but if we could reduce that fear of crime we are making progress.

"People will feel more comfortable and safe just by seeing the top command, our senior command on the street. We will be pacing the pavement.

"You will see from superintendents and assistant superintendents to inspectors. Everybody will be out, it will not just be the front-line constables on the road.

"From now on you will see all of us on the road to make sure things go right, to reassure members of the public that we are going to be here for them and we are at arms length," he said.

"We want to reassure the front-line officer who is always on the beat that he has the support of his inspector, he has the support of his assistant superintendent and he has the support of the superintendent. That's important because people want to feel well taken care of and that's what we are doing for our officers. We have four new superintendents and they all come with a wealth of experience."

Last May, thieves stole more than $200,000 worth of Rolex watches from John Bull in a daring daylight robbery.

Since then, division manager Dorian Roach said not only has the company hired extra security, but officers have been assigned to work there on certain days.

He said: "I think it is great to have a police presence around, especially during this time. Any of these high traffic times of year when we have lots of people, lots of business that's when the criminal element tends to increase so its great to see a show of force.

"Seeing the officers paroling has helped to give us an increase in security. This is the second time I have seen these police officers in a really big showing. I think in general there have been a lot more officers on Bay Street. They are everywhere now."

Supt Dean said officers have also increased their presence in inner city areas. He warned all those "who are hell-bent on causing problems down town" that they will be "in for a surprise".