The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DAYS after the fatal shootings of a teenager and a man in the Kemp Road community, relatives of the victims yesterday said the lack of a constant police presence in the area has fuelled fear among residents.

“I don’t feel safe. I would like to see a change.” said Melezora Bowe, aunt of 28-year-old Amati ‘Mati’ Knowles. He was shot at his home along with 18-year-old Roderick Telemis on Whit Monday as thousands of Bahamians enjoyed holiday festivities.

Recalling the moments leading up to her nephew’s death, Ms Bowe said she now has trouble sleeping because the horrible event keeps replaying in her mind. Eyewitnesses at the time said Knowles pleaded for help after he was shot by a group of men.

“When I did see my nephew coming out the bush (he was) bleeding. I know he wasn’t going to make it, because they shoot him from the back on and his arm was open up.

“Sometimes in the night I can’t sleep and whenever I come outside I picture his blood and everything in the yard.”

When asked if the police were doing enough in the area to protect residents, she said it was felt that they weren’t.

“Sometimes I don’t hardly even see the police come around. I remember one time I call them,  they never reach. And sometimes when I go to the station, they say they are coming and never reach.” 

Ms Bowe was speaking to journalists as Royal Bahamas Police Force officers, Urban Renewal (UR) officials and the North Eastern Pastors Alliance conducted a walkabout at Kemp Road.

The emotional mother of Roderick, Mary Sundez, said she was still struggling to understand why her son’s life was taken.  Ms Sundez said that all was left now for her to do was pray.

Superintendent Stephen Dean, UR coordinator, said police want to restore the relationship with people.

“We decided to come back into this area to speak to particularly the families to reassure them of the police commitment to law and order, of the commitment to security and safety in the area. We believe that we have to continue to forge these relations with our people. “Sometimes incidents cause the trust to be eroded with the police. So we came here to reassure them that we will protect them,” Mr Dean said.