The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE their best efforts to fight crime, police yesterday admitted that they continue to struggle with armed robberies and house break-ins.

In fact, lately, both Superintendent Stephen Dean, coordinator of Urban Renewal, and Southeastern Division Chief Clayton Fernander agreed that they have seen a spike in persons being held up at gunpoint in the Pinewood Gardens and Sir Lynden Pindling Estates areas.

“Based on our analysis,” Superintendent Fernander said, “we have detected and identified a trend of street armed robberies (and) crimes of opportunity that are occurring in this area.

“Individuals are walking the streets and are attacked by two or three young men armed with handguns. Sometimes you will see two individuals, sometimes you will see three.”

The increase prompted a walkabout where a large group of police officers and civilian workers took to the streets to make their presence known to residents and to advise them on how to protect themselves.

“We want to reach out to members of the public in this area to alert them to what is going on in their surroundings so they could pay more attention. “

Officials said they have already taken into custody a number of individuals who they believe are responsible for not only armed robberies, but some break-ins. They said they will continue to search for others. Mr Fernander said authorities believe the culprits live in the area.

Mr Dean made an appeal to residents to make their homes less of an easy target for robbers.

He said: “These armed robberies that occurred, most of them have been prevented. The house break-ins,  most of them could have been prevented... over 50 per cent of them. People are still leaving their doors open and leaving keys underneath the mat. 

“We are saying to members  of the public that the police want you to partner with us. We need the assistance of members of the public. You have to look at your home and make the target hardened. Make it difficult for the criminals to break into.” 

Police said they will continue to hold walk-abouts and other initiatives to foster a relationship with residents.