Police officials on Grand Bahama have launched a safety campaign to heighten security awareness among residents for the holidays.
Assistant Press Liaison Officer Inspector Loretta Mackey told The Freeport News yesterday that this is the time of year when crime seems to be at an all time high.
Urban renewal officers have prepared a document of safety tips that they will begin distributing today to help lessen the chances of persons becoming a victim of crime.
The safety flyers will be distributed by urban renewal team members on Coral Road, East Sunrise Highway, Setteler’s Way and the Mall Drive. Some are also included in today’s Freeport News.
Noting that robberies always increase leading up to the holidays, Inspector Mackey added, “Some of it, I guess, can be attributed to persons out of work, desperate or who simply don’t want to work.”
Inspector Mackey said the flyers will assist in ensuring that persons throughout the community are able to celebrate the festive season in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.
With one of the latest robbery attempts resulting in the death of a 34-year-old female resident of Beachway Drive, police are asking that anyone faced with a situation such as this to stay calm and not panic.
“Stay calm and give up the cash or whatever it is that they may be demanding,” Inspector Mackey said. “Don’t panic. Do not try to defend yourself or put up a fight especially if the person is armed. Don’t fight, even if you don’t see a weapon don’t fight.”
She also advised that persons should try to get a mental picture of the culprit for a general description.
“Pay attention to the direction the persons and the vehicle left in,” she said. “Keep your eyes open to any birthmarks or scars, any marks that are identifiable. A limp, or an accent or anything that’s peculiar that might stand out.”
Inspector Mackey said officers have already visited some business places and warned employees and managers to keep alert and to implement safety measures wherever possible.
Inspector Mackey noted that one of the businesses that were hit had a surveillance camera, but it wasn’t operational at the time. She said for this reason police are asking persons that have cameras to dust the spider webs off and keep them on because it can help.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
