BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RESULTANT of the recent spate of home invasions by armed bandits and past criminal activities in Half Moon Bay and its nearby residences, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, in an effort to protect the residents as well as to provide quick response, may soon be establishing a police outpost in that area.
The outpost may be located at a strategic point along the thoroughfare of Conaree Village that leads to Half Moon Bay.
This disclosure was made by Commissioner (Ag) of Police Stafford Liburd during a town hall meeting at the Newtown Community Center last Wednesday evening when asked by this writer what security measures are or will be in place for the protection of residents in that area.
“Just yesterday a developer took me to Half Moon Bay and indicated his willingness to contribute significantly in having a police outpost between an area in Conaree and Half Moon Bay where people traverse.
“I must however say at this time that neither my Permanent Secretary nor the Ministry of National Security has been formally notified, but this will be done soonest as we, the members of the High Command, are in support of it.”
Liburd said that prior to visiting the area, he had no knowledge of the developer’s intention.
“They showed me the land...apparently the land was already earmarked some time ago but never spoken of. The first time I heard about it was the day before yesterday and I told the developer to show me where it was before I can make any pronouncement.
“So he took me there yesterday, along with Inspector Mills of the Frigate Bay Police Station, to look at the land. And it is now for them to tell me what they are willing to do to help us in that area.”
The Commissioner (Ag) stated that two hotels would be constructed in Half Moon Bay and commended the developers for clearing a number of bushy areas there, which he insinuated that might have been used by criminals who had targeted residents of the Half Moon Bay and Frigate Bay areas.
“I must also congratulate those developers who have started to clear a number of lots in the Half Moon Bay area. I went there this evening and clearing works continue. Just earlier today ACP Queeley and I made a plea to the Chamber asking them to speak to people who have lots in that area to get them cleared.”
Over the years, Frigate Bay and Half Moon Bay have been targeted of bandits, with the most recent being last weekends when two masked gunmen had invaded a number of apartments at the Half Moon Courtyard and robbed the residents, then fled the scene in a vehicle that belonged to one of the victims.
There is also an unsolved homicide that occurred on Sunday, April 11, 2010 in Half Moon Bay, where the partly-decomposed bodies of James and Mildred Daniel were discovered in one of the bedrooms of their newly-constructed home.
The elderly couple, according to one of James’ nieces, were residing in England for a number of years and had returned to “live out their old age in St. Kitts”.
Many people are of the view that the dirt road aback Conaree Village is being used by criminal elements to enter the Half Moon Bay and Frigate Bay areas, and also as an escape route after committing their crimes.
