The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

EIGHT persons were arrested during a police patrol yesterday. The swarms of officers were inspecting persons and businesses in the Mackey Street, Shirley Street, and East Bay Street area.

Leon Bethel, Assistant Commissioner of Police, said conducting such patrols has been an ongoing task of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“We want to advise persons of an operation in the Eastern area that has been taking place for some time wherein we conduct patrols and road checks,” he said, adding: “Today we expanded the operation to include senior officers, including inspectors, superintendents and commissioners.” He also said: “We will be on the streets to address all the concerns of criminality in the Eastern area. We want persons to see the visibility of the police.”

Eight persons were arrested for operating businesses or selling alcohol without a license during the police patrol. Two businesses, the Double D’s restaurant on East Bay Street and the Bahama Dreams web shop on Okra Hill, were closed because owners could not provide officers with evidence of their license to operate the businesses.

“We are checking to see if businesses are being operated with a license,” Mr Bethel said. “Licenses must be in a conspicuous place. It is not legal to have your license hidden. Your license must be easily visible in your establishments.” He added: “Everyone must be in compliance with the rules of authority.”

Mr Bethel also said repeat offenders were special targets during their crack down on crime. “We are going after prolific criminals who go to jail and come out and pick up the guns that they hid before they went to jail,” he said.

Mr Bethel said no signs of illegal gambling activity was seen during the police inspection of some of the web shops in the Eastern area.

“Although all web shops are legal,” he said, “we have to determine that the license is being used to do what it should. Spinning wheels in itself can’t cause us to lock people up. We have to do a proper investigation.”