By Noel Thompson, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST. James Police Crime Prevention Unit has stepped up its drive to curtail crimes being committed in the parish, as the Christmas holiday approaches.
Against this background, the unit is advising the public to be as proactive as much as possible, particularly when conducting any kind of transaction. Special emphasis is being placed on the business communities, as they are more frequently targeted by criminal gangs, which perceive that there is usually large sums of money being hoarded at business places.
Head of the St. James Crime Prevention Unit, Detective Sergeant Paul Simms, said, "We are appealing to business operators who are likely to be handling large sums of cash that they should seek escort services from reputable private security companies or ask the police's assistance."
As it relates to the prevention of street crimes, he said he was encouraging persons to use credit/debit cards when doing monetary transactions.
The St. James police said while they would be enforcing strategies to ensure a peaceful and possible crime-free holiday and beyond, they were advising all persons to take the necessary precautions to avert becoming a victim of crime. The theme this year is 'In Partnership With Citizens Fighting Crime'.
The movement of cash from one place to another provides an opportunity for criminal activity, which can expose the bearers to risk of attacks. But in an effort to minimise such risks, serious consideration should be given to the methods of transportation that will provide, possibly, the safest protection and the least risk.
Where practicable, a closed vehicle should always be used for the conveyance of moderate to large sums of money and the times of collection, transfer or deposit should be varied. Vary the routes whenever possible, bearing in mind that a busy route is safer and should be used instead of a remote one.
The Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) says only in exceptional cases should cash carriage be undertaken on foot. For example, short distances such as across the street where vehicular traffic is restricted, or across the street between premises and a vehicle.
It says, however, if carriage on foot is essential, the following advice should be adhered to:
New employees whose references have not yet been authenticated should never be used to transport or handle cash;
The person carrying the cash should walk facing the oncoming traffic in order to reduce the risk of a surprise attack from behind by persons using a vehicle;
An escort should be used when moving large sums of money and should be the first to leave the cash collection point and should survey the area before the cash leaves the building.
Meanwhile, Sgt. Simms is reminding persons that even in the home, they can become vulnerable on arrival, particularly at nights. To reduce one's vulnerability, he is advising the bushing of walkways and surrounding areas. "There is also a trend for people to leave their house keys underneath place mats, and inside flower pots, but they should avoid doing this," he said. "It is also customary for the entire family to go shopping simultaneously, especially at Christmas Eve. This should not be encouraged. Instead, a plan should be devised for someone to be at home all the time," Det. Sgt. Simms stated.
