BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE power supply to the recently-constructed Dieppe Bay Police Station has been a much-talked about issue in recent times, and some individuals are of the view that disaster is imminent if the situation remains unresolved.
Responding to concerns of some residents of Dieppe Bay who had visited this media house and also to the numerous complaints made on radio call-in programmes by an Ex-Sergeant of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), SKNVibes visited the station on Monday (Mar. 12) to have a first-hand view of what the problem was.
On arrival, it was observed that a power line from a pole east of the station is attached to another pole south of the entrance to the building. On that pole, the power line is connected to a meter thence to a main switch and fuse box. Also seen was a yellow wire that leads from the fuse box to a concrete structure on the northern side of the entrance.
Notably, the yellow wire from the pole runs for a few yards along the surface, goes underground for approximately 25-30 yards and emerges a few yards from the concrete structure to which it is attached.
From the concrete structure, a 'drop-cord' leads to the police station to provide electricity. But, also of note, is that the yellow wire is not deeply entrenched or is it protected by a conduit.
The land upon which the station sits is not fenced, and some parents whose children are attending a primary school east of the police station said they are fearful for their safety should the children venture into that area if the exposed power line is damaged.
This media house understands that such fear arose after a civilian had driven their vehicle into the station’s compound and damaged the power line.
“A few weeks ago, a certain person from Dieppe Bay drove his vehicle over the wire and damaged it. A man from the Electricity Department went there and joined the wire and covered it with insulation tape and they then dug a shallow trench and put the wire in it. But that does not solve the problem. The wire is unprotected in the earth and it can corrode. If corrosion occurs…what you think would happen if any of the children or anyone who goes to the station and comes into contact with the live wire?” one of the parents said.
Additionally, a number of other concerns were voiced including:
• Is this electrical structure in keeping with the building code?
• Prisoners were recently seen cutting bushes on the western, southern and northern sides of the police station. Should one or more of them had to cut the grass in the yard and while doing so he cuts the live wire, what would be the end result?
• If a corporate citizen decides to assist in fencing the station, sends a backhoe and while digging the operator clips the live wire…what do you think will be the result and who will be responsible for the tragedy?
The two-storey structure, which was constructed by Roland Stanley & Sons and funded by the governments of St. Kitts-Nevis and Mexico, was commissioned on Monday, November 14, 2011 and was shortly thereafter occupied by members of the RSCNPF.
Yesterday morning (Mar. 13) this publication contacted Police PRO Sergeant Stephen Hector on the hazard and was told that he would look into it. He also promised that the situation would be soon rectified.
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