Grand Bay and surrounding communities will in 66 weeks see the completion of a brand new $3.5 million police station and inspector’s quarters.
At a ground-breaking ceremony yesterday in Grand Bay, Minister for National Security Charles Savarin said that new station will provide accommodation to 13 male and three female officers, space for a charge office, and interview room and police cells, with a separate inspector’s quarters.
Savarin is convinced that the facility will address the problems of high rental fees facing the government for the present Grand Bay Police Station.
The government is currently renting two residential buildings in Grand Bay-one as a police station at $4,000 a month and an inspector’s quarter at $1,500.
“That building, which houses the police station, was built to accommodate a family and is therefore inadequate for the effective execution of law enforcement duties. The present structure lacks the requisite facilities…” he said.
“From the budgeting point of view, the rental of two buildings for the accommodation of the Grand Bay Police has proven to be less than cost effective … Police stations therefore need to be strategically located so as to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the officers as they work ceaselessly towards a stable and peaceful environment not only for their immediate communities but for the country as a whole,” Savarin stated.
The National Security Minister said that the new police station will greatly enhance the capability of the police department and foster more productivity.
“The construction of this police station as well as new police stations in La Plaine and Calibishie and elsewhere, will greatly increase the ability of the police department to create and maintain a stable and peaceful environment in the country, notwithstanding the challenges that a modern society…” Savarin said.
“The new facility will no doubt allow for more police personnel to be stationed in Grand Bay from time to time. Particularly, during the peak seasons of community festivities and celebrations when additional manpower is usually called for,” he stated.
Savarin said that this was a “momentous occasion for me”. He assured that the government was dedicated to ensuring that law and order is maintained at all times and that citizens and visitors feel and experience a sense of safety and security.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Representative for the area Justina Charles welcomed the long awaited initiative.
“This is a great moment in the history of Grand Bay…” she stated. Charles said that the facility will help boost the moral off police officers and foster a better relationship between the police/ community.
“One which the community will give respect, and support to the police officers and the police will reciprocate… A relationship that will eliminate any form of brutality and promote peace,” Charles stated.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, who also addressed the ceremony supported the point that security plays a very important role in a country’s economy and social development.
“If there is no security, you won’t get investors to come in. People’s way of life will be transformed because, they wouldn’t be able to walk the streets and go to the beaches and the rivers and to enjoy what God has given to us as a people…,” he stated.
According to officials, the project was conceptualized, designed and estimated by the Technical Services Division of the Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports.
The station will also reduce the transfer of prisoners from Grand Bay to Roseau, according to officials.
DATS GOOD BUT THE LOCATION IS JUS TOO FAR UP..HMMM
That is very important , i like that.
taking dominica to the next level. good step PM
Why this location? I always wonder why the leaders did not think of the Geneva area near the playground. Such would be centrally located with access from all points. The same goes for the newly built credit union in the congested Lalay. These buildings should be the start of the Nue Berricoa. Was there a Panning Board involved in the decision process? I believe the community would be proud of the completion of the Bayfront with a new bridge across a dredged Gran-Rivier to connect with Dubic. A well developed Geneva area is the only hope for a “Nue Berricoa” showcase for the beloved people of GrandBay. As it stands today, there’s nothing to be proud of when all is done.
together we must take dominica to the next level, a very good step you guys
3.5 million dollars? wow. isn’t that a lot for a building?
I wonder who has the contract.
@RASTA4LIFE:
Rasta4Life – If you don’t have anything positive to say about the Grand Bay Parl.Rep then just shut the hell up!!! What has she done that you should want her “to be the first to be jailed” ? You bloody idiot!!!!
We also need to modernise both the police headquarters in Roseau and the police academy at Morne Bruce as well as renovating, high barbwire fencing, and upgrading the state prison at Stock Farm. All police stations and police vehicles and fire trucks and ambulances should be fully radio-equipped to respond to calls in a timely manner. A 911 number to call when in need of help from the police or an ambulance to the hospital or the firemen for fire. This is an important call to the National Security Minister.Take heed, Sir. People need to install alarm systems in their homes and businesses for burglars and thieves. We need bicycles for the police to ride on in the villages, for corners and alleys that are not passable for police vehicles. And for those who operate corner stores, nothing wrong in feeding the police with some free donuts and free coffee.
I HOPE THE PARLREP IS THE ONE TO BE JAILED FIRST, HA HA HA STUPESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I hope it has a few prison cells.
Marigot need a new Hospital .
thumbs up good job!
We hope that this new police station will enhance security and not increased police brutality as we have seen in recent times. While we welcome the new police station, we also hope that men and women who understand and appreciate what good policing is, will be given the opportunity to police the community. The Minister for national security and the Police Commissioner may need to revisit their records and check for the police who manned Grand Bay in the late 70s early and mid 80s and get an insight from them as to as to who Grand Bayrians really are and how to police Grand Bay. These law enforcement officers then, understood that to work in the community you ought to be a part of the community. A friend, not an enemy. I am afraid with Center less populated than Housing Scheme and no doubt there will be a sound-proof cell that if the issue of police brutality is not dealt with every arrested person will get good blows before they are heard otherwise.
Atlas! Government money will be used to do something else and not go in the pocket of home owners who have no interest in Grand Bay, does not take part in the electoral process, doe snot contribute anything to Grand By, yet receives healthy sums of money in rent.
This is a good step in going forward.