The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

SENIOR Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour said yesterday that the Royal Bahamas Police Force in Grand Bahama has had to intensify its presence on the streets of that island as more thefts and even one report of looting have been reported to authorities.

Speaking to The Tribune, Senior ACP Seymour attributed this uptick in stealing to the loss of power on the island due to the devastation left by Hurricane Matthew, leaving businesses vulnerable to criminal activity.

The lack of electricity means these businesses don’t have the protection of security systems and criminals are able to easily commit crimes shrouded by darkness, he said.

“We have intensified our presence on the streets (of Grand Bahama) to mitigate against these sorts of things,” he said. “There was one report of looting of an auto parts store in Freeport city.

“Also the night after the storm a business establishment was broken into. The loss of power lends to these instances.”

Last Friday, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell condemned those responsible for the break in and robbery of Sandilands Primary School on the day Hurricane Matthew hit New Providence.

“How can someone be so morally bankrupt as to use a storm to rob little children of a chance at a decent future? Thus is reprehensible and disgusting,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement.

According to him, when the hurricane hit New Providence last week, thieves broke into the schools, stole computers and ransacked the principal’s office.

The storm barrelled through the country from Wednesday, before officials gave the all clear on Friday morning.

Grand Bahama, Andros, New Providence and parts of the Berry Islands were the most affected.