Dalton Laing, Gleaner Writer

Students climb over trees, which were used to block the Bluefields main road in Westmoreland, yesterday, by residents protesting the relocation of police personnel from that community. - Photo by Dalton Laing

BLUEFIELDS, Westmoreland:

Residents of Bluefields, Westmoreland, took to the streets yesterday to protest against the closure of the police station in that community.

Wolde Kristos, president of the Bluefields Bay Fishermen Society, said the police station was deemed unfit by the Westmoreland Fire Department, following a fire at the facility three weeks ago.

A proper structure

He said at that time Member of Parliament for Eastern Westmore-land, Luther Buchanan, told concerned citizens that a proper structure would be provided for the lawmen.

"We have been making recommendations since Hurricane Ivan," Mr. Kristos explained. "A leaky roof three weeks ago caused water to enter an electrical box at the station, which caused a fire and it was at that time that the MP promised us a new building."

He further stated that the police station serves approximately 35,000 residents and since the transfer of the police personnel to Savanna-la-Mar and Whitehouse, crime has been on the rise.

The protest began from as early as 4:30 a.m. and trees were used to block about half-a-mile of roadway, resulting in a massive pile up of traffic and commuters, including school children, left stranded.

Firefighters from Sav-la-Mar and Black River subsequently cleared the road with the assistance of the police.

"We are asking that they give us the empty building next door to the station which is owned by the National Works Agency to be used as a temporary location, and the building that they are promising us be built within six to nine months," Mr. Kristos indicated.

When contacted, Superinten-dent John Morris, officer in charge of Operations for the Area One Police Division, told The Gleaner that the police hierarchy was in the process of acquiring an alternative relocation site in Bluefields.