Privatizing aspects of traffic management being considered
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RECOMMENDATIONS to augment the current function of the Police Force’s Traffic Department are being considered, and a new traffic policy “is to be unveiled shortly”.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris made these announcements last Thursday (Mar. 9) at his press conference.
He explained that a number of recommendations have been forwarded and these would be considered by the Federal Cabinet and that body “will advise in due course, regarding which of these recommendations we would adopt this year…”
The Traffic Department is located at St. Johnston’s Village and is known as the St. Johnston’s Police Station. Dr. Harris said the function of this space – whether as merely the Traffic Department or to include the other services of an actual police station – has to be redefined.
“…a new traffic policy is to be unveiled shortly. The Police have recommended traffic meters in the city centre, a redefinition of the St. Johntson Police Station… And in our town halls, people ask ‘is this a police station or a traffic station?’ Because sometimes they will go there and, according to the reports, they would not get the attention and care; they would be told to go elsewhere. And so we have asked that as part of the new policy, that the High Command should redefine - where necessary - the role of what is…the St. Johnston’s Police Station.
“Is it a police station? Then if it is, shouldn’t that be the first call for the people up at the JNF Hospital rather than they have to go to Basseterre…? And what hours will it be open? So we expect all of those to be part of the policy.”
Over the past years, and as recently as at the commencement of this year, former Commissioner of Police Austin Williams suggested that a 24-hour Traffic Patrol Unit be established. He expressed his belief that this would address many of the traffic issues with which the Federation deals.
Prime Minister Harris suggested that this is one of the recommendations which up for consideration.
“There is a recommendation that there be a wrecker attached to the Traffic Department, that we have a build out of the patrol unit and the privatisation of some aspects of traffic control and management. I want to thank (the) Commissioner and the other officers for their work on this policy document.
“And I’m advised that former Commissioner of Police Austin Williams gave input into this document and I want to thank him for volunteering his effort. It is a mark of his high commitment to his country and to law enforcement in particular, that he should take time to engage in this critical area.”
While Dr. Harris said the policy would be made public shortly, he did not give any specific timeframe.
