The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have increased patrols in eastern and northeastern New Providence after seeing a “spike” in armed robberies and car thefts in those areas, Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said yesterday.

He added that just last week police received more than 30 reports of car break-ins in east and west New Providence – more than double what is usually reported, ACP Dean said at a press conference yesterday.

He said while police are doing their part to prevent robberies and catch the criminals, residents have to be more vigilant in preventing the incidents from happening.

“We have noticed a trend of vehicles being broken into. Just last week, in the Northeastern Division we had eight vehicles that were broken into, in the western area there were nine vehicles and in the eastern area we had 17 and that is just in seven days. That is a concern to us and now we have to use all our resources in this area,” ACP Dean said.

“We have to sensitise our people, they must be aware that they cannot leave items and valuables in the vehicles. People are still leaving laptops, cameras, cash and jewellery and ladies are still going out and leaving their handbags under the seat of the car.

“This is an invitation for thieves. Persons walking past will steal them and smash your car (window) to get inside. Take responsibility for your vehicles. We want you to pay attention – things are not the way it used to be. Times have changed. We noticed that cell phones are also being stolen too so we are asking you to put tracking devices on the phone and in your cars. We have had successful cases with these tracking devices.”

ACP Dean also sent a stern warning to parents who are shielding their children who have illegal firearms. He said if police find a weapon in a home “everyone will be arrested.”

“We all know that firearms seem to be the weapon of choice in crimes. So every opportunity we have to talk, we will talk, mothers and fathers if your child is on the wrong road, if you see something suspicious and if they are in a possession of a firearm, please turn them in,” ACP Dean said.

“There is no use coming to us crying when they have gotten killed or arrested. If we go to a home and we find a firearm in that house. Everyone will be arrested. We are warning you.”

For the year, police have taken 262 illegal firearms off the streets and 5,276 rounds of ammunition.