Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST. James Parish Council staged a Category Four hurricane evacuation exercise in Whitehouse Wednesday, to sensitise residents on safety precautions they should take in a real life situation.
Scores of residents, volunteers and officials from various agencies participated in the simulation, which was deemed an overall success.
However, the Whitehouse residents were adamant that, in the event of a real disaster, they were not prepared to relocate to neighbouring community of Flankers.
"We would neva go to Flankers. If we leave our property, men from that community would invade Whitehouse and empty our houses. If the shelter is somewhere else then we would consider relocating, but not Flankers, never," one resident remarked. "Dem people deh jus a wait fi something happen fi we leave the community so dem can tek over."
NO SHELTERS IN WHITEHOUSE
Responding to concerns of the residents, secretary manager of the council, Ian Reid told participants and representatives of non-governmental agencies that there was no plan afoot to construct any emergency shelter in Whitehouse because of its geographic location and its close proximity to the sea.
"There is no legislation to forcibly remove anyone if they refuse, but we have to continue to encourage them. Through our public education exercise we will point out the risks and dangers they face, to see what kind of compliance we can get," the secretary manager commented.
Inspector Ralph Medley, the sub-officer in charge of the Coral Gardens Police Station, the zone in which Whitehouse falls, gave the assurance that as had been customary in previous situations, in the event of a disaster, the police would provide the necessary security for the community.
