A Mobile Police Station is now open to the public.
Police officers will be in full force near Heroes Park in Castries on a 24/7 basis.
The mobile unit is expected to be a total game-changer for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).
“This initiative came about as a result of the many cries that we’ve been hearing of late as it pertains to crime… with the tourists… as well as our citizenry,” Inspector Bridgette Algodel said on Monday.
According to her, while the mobile unit is stationed in Castries, “it is subject to change as the need arises.”
The unit will be manned by a diarist and members of the Traffic Department.
“We will (also) see the deployment of ATVs from this location. You will be seeing constant patrols being done by members of the Marine Unit,” the inspector said, along with drone coverage.
Inspector Lucius Small, Commanding Officer of the Special Services Unit, told reporters it was a historical day for the RSLPF.
“The Special Services Unit will be there at all times to provide security for persons… around the City of Castries,” he said.
The RSLPF is also hoping to foster trust with the public.
“Our goal is to significantly reduce theft (and) to foster stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community encouraging a collaborative approach to safety. Also, to create an environment for residents and tourists to feel safe,” Inspector Anthea Louis stated.
Chief Fire Officer, Ditney Downes, praised the Acting Commissioner for conceptualizing the idea.
“The Commissioner of Police has taken a multisectoral approach to crime fighting and he has invited the Fire Department to be part of that strategy. We are very happy to partner with him,” he said.
Furthermore, he stated, “In speaking to the Commissioner, I could see the determination to ensure that the crime situation is reduced to its lowest level possible. I have no doubt this initiative will bring success. The Fire Department will make all available resources within the department to ensure that this initiative is very successful.”
Moving forward, he said, “We will continue that partnership with the Commissioner of Police and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to ensure that we have a safer Saint Lucia. We need to come down on the number of criminal activities that we currently face in this country and the Fire Service is determined to assist.”
Prime Minister Philip J Pierre was full of praise for Acting Commissioner Verne Garde and the Fire Chief, saying: “It’s something that you see in other countries and we’ve spoken about it but as usual we always find the reason not to do it in terms of resources. For the Commissioner and Fire Chief to be so innovative to use what we have and to convert into a real serious asset coupled with the other assets that they have I think it’s really something we should be proud of.”