The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER gang leader-turned community activist is deeply concerned by the attitudes of some policemen toward citizens when questioned on the execution of their duties.

Valentino “Scrooge” Brown, of Lewis Street, spoke to The Tribune after his release on $3,000 bail following an arraignment in connection with an alleged altercation with police at his home on March 23.

Brown currently hosts a community centre at his home off Market Street and his ultimate goal is to create a “Jubilee Garden” for that inner-city community as the late Edmund Moxey did with the Jumbey Village.

Brown appeared before Magistrate Saboula Swain on Friday facing four charges – of disorderly behaviour, obscene language, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. He pleaded not guilty to them all.

“I really feel bad knowing that it didn’t have to go this far,” the Market Street Community leader told The Tribune on the steps of the Nassau and South Streets Complex.

“I feel bad for the community because it was something that was never expected and I think we could have done it more professionally – the police working hand-in-hand with the community. But it seems like, nowadays, the law is not about the community and that’s very sad.

“There are some very good officers who are on duty that represent the Royal Bahamas Police Force to the fullest and I respect them. But there are some who should not be in the uniform at all because of their attitude towards the citizens,” Brown added.

“I had an opportunity to talk to Austin Greenslade, a District Superintendent who gave me a call about Tuesday morning talking about the incident and that it was disturbing. He gave me an apology and I also gave him an apology on my behalf so that is the reason I am not pressing charges against these officers because one bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole crop.”

The police appeared at Brown’s home making inquiries into a complaint of assault made against a house guest of Brown’s.

The police alleged that the community leader acted in disorderly fashion and cursed them when they appeared at his home last week. They also claimed that Brown resisted and assaulted Police Constable 535 Rolle while the officer moved to arrest him.

While Brown said the incident will not discourage his civic duty to assist the police in any way he can in the future, he noted that “me being in this problem now it brings a wider focus on what actually happens to people.”

“I was mistaken for a criminal, I was mistaken for a guy on the street,” Brown said. “I was never considered a community leader to these police officers when they approached me. Never once was I told what the situation was. In fact, I was locked up in my own yard to my own back door. And I was only inquiring from the officer what the situation was. And if you can’t ask an officer what the situation is in your own country, then we’re in serious trouble ... very serious trouble.”

Brown will reappear in Magistrates Court for trial on May 22 and is represented by attorney Troy Kelman.