Police Commissioner in Anguilla, Mr. David Lynch, informed The Anguillian newspaper that he intends to bring back patrols across the island, beginning at Island Harbour. He pointed out that he believed in community policing and that the patrols would be part of that initiative.
The Commissioner is right on target with this matter as, for some time now, there have been complaints that police officers were rarely seen on beat patrols in the various communities. The complaints appear to be louder when certain incidents of crime and violence occur in those communities.
“My goals in Anguilla include a return to community policing and I am trying to do a little bit in Island Harbour – and I am meeting this week to try to have a plan on how to do it across the island,” he explained. According to him, there were recent matters of concern in the Island Harbour area which he indicated had initiated the beginning of the patrols there.
He was of the view, however, that, with only 100 officers in the Police Force, and with a number of them involved in the court, border security and other security positions, it posed a challenge to community policing. As a result, he said, there was a need to be clear about how the police officers could be positioned on the island.
“It is evident that the people want community policing,” Commissioner Lynch concluded, as he reflected on the ways and means through which this could be satisfactorily achieved.
Meanwhile, observers in Island Harbour reported seeing the police inspecting a building close to the Bayfront. They were of the opinion that this could be a possible base for the police operations in the district.
Several years ago, there was a police station lower down in Island Harbour, but it was subsequently closed.
