The Region 10 policing division is currently faced with the challenge of operating with limited personnel but efforts are being made to ensure that emergency measures ordered by Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fully enforced.
The Region 10 Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in a statement issued yesterday said that this disclosure was made by Regional Commander Hugh Winter during a meeting held with several senior officials of the Regional Health and Emergency Committee (RHEC), the Linden Chamber of Commerce and the Linden Business Network.
The meeting which was held yesterday was chaired by the Regional Chairman Renis Morian and co-chaired by Mayor Waneka Arrindell and sought to address several “burning” issues of the business community.
Winter, the statement said admitted during the meeting that ranks are “stretched” as it relates to policing in the region during the current curfew and other “stringent” measures which have been implemented.
The Commander, the statement said, indicated that the lack of sufficient ranks is the reason why there are instances whereby reports and actions are not acted upon immediately. He, however noted that they intend to address every concern and issue.
“We are stretched and it is important to note that while some have suggested that we tap into the ranks who are currently in training school, this isn’t possible as in preparation for elections 2020 those ranks were distributed nationally. Unfortunately, we received none for Region Ten so we are still managing with our ranks with no addition,” Winter said, according to the statement.
Late last month, Region Ten had announced that it would be instituting a two-week nightly curfew beginning from March 28 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The curfew entails that all businesses in the region be closed at 6pm with the exception of pharmacies and supermarkets, which will be allowed to close until 7 pm.
Citizens, except essential workers with ID (nurses, police, military, and utility company workers) must be in their homes from 8 pm until 6 am. Businesses are directed to offer only take-out and delivery services and cease all dining and drinking events.
The region had said that vehicular traffic throughout the area will also be restricted.
The measures are similar to those outlined in the order issued by Lawrence last Friday.
Winter, the statement said has since instructed his ranks to ensure that there is full enforcement of the curfew for everyone equally.
“The Regional Commander declared that the law is the law and will not be sitting by idly, while some persons seek to break the laws,” he said.
He further told the meeting that the police has received reports of two churches breaching the curfew order and still holding services. “….As a matter of fact, it was received by the Regional Chairman that despite his attempts at speaking to the pastors of these churches they have openly refused to close their doors declaring that they will not,” the statement said.
According to the statement, Winter has encouraged the business owners to cooperate with each other to ensure that the measures are being practiced. Once this is done, he said the need for the police will be reduced.
“You as businesses within the community can play an important part as what I would like to see is that whenever you see a business operating outside of the set out guidelines to urge them to adhere … as it must not be left to the police alone but rather it should be community and team effort. We can fight this together as in the end it will save many lives even including us,” Winter stressed.
He added that the implementation of the measures seeks not to restrict and reduce the income of business owners but rather to safeguard the markets.
Winter also assured that there will be continuous patrols at recreational areas such as the creeks and the police will continue to lend their support to ensure that persons get off the road as required and that all businesses that are expected to be closed do so in keeping with the stipulated time.
“Our mandate is to support the Region’s RHEC and by extension the national curfew, so my ranks will be enforcing the guidelines to ensure that there is compliance by all,” Winter said.
