The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A DILAPIDATED wooden structure in Centreville was demolished yesterday – another step in the drive to revitalise inner city communities according to Asst Supt of Police Stephen Dean.

The demolition was part of Urban Renewal 2.0’s ongoing campaign to rejuvenate city areas.

Mr Dean said the building off East Street was not only a eyesore but also a breeding ground for criminals in the area. “This has been in a direct response to requests from residents of this community. For the past year they were complaining about this place and the police has had to come here on numerous occasions to make arrests persons for drugs and vagrancy and other persons who are accused of serious offenses. So we have finally got the matters worked out and talked to the owners to iron everything out and we had a contractor who volunteered to asset and partner with us,” he said

“We believe that this will eliminate some of the problems through this corner, there will be no more hideout for persons of criminal intent and from Urban Renewal and the Royal Bahamas Police Force perspective we want to remove any opportunity for crime or criminal elements.

“People should be able to live in a peaceful community, children should be able to play and have quiet time without by being disturbed. This should ease some of the pain today.”

Kino Simmons, general manager of Bill Simmons Construction, said his company partnered with Urban Renewal in an effort to give back to the community.

He said: “My company has been involved within this community for the past 55 years. We have been in business and have been helping before Urban Renewal. We were involved with cleaning up these areas but Urban Renewal has made it that much easier for us to help. So anytime we get the call, we partner will them to get the job done.”