New police station signals hope for Olympic Gardens
Minister of National Security, Dr Horace Chang, said that the new police station that has been built in Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, must be the place where residents find respite and responsiveness from the officers.
Chang, who is also Jamaica’s deputy prime minister, said that strong community engagement and good relationship between the police and the community will ensure reduction of violence, improved public order and enhanced public safety.
“Therefore, the design and structure of the police station is an important part of law enforcement and the development of a successful, sustainable reduction in criminal activity,” he said.
The new Olympic Gardens station, located in Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ St Andrew West Central constituency, was financed by the National Housing Trust at a cost of $157 million.
It houses the station, cell facilities, private interview rooms, a learning centre and other public amenities.
Inspector of Police Sean March, whose service in the force spans three decades, is particularly happy that the new station has a community resource centre.
ENGAGING YOUTHS
“I am happy about this, when you get the youths to come to the station in this capacity they will become more familiar with us. We want to engage all the residents, especially the young people. Another important aspect of our plans is to rejuvenate the youth club and give the surrounding areas a facelift, which we hope to achieve through various fund-raising events, observing the protocols on social gathering,” he said.
Richard Anderson, who helped to build the station by providing labour, said his eight-year-old daughter will benefit from the resource centre being at the new facility.
“A nuh everytime mi did find it fi pay internet bill so nuff time she did affi go without that, and sometimes she affi a bother neighbours. Seeing that mi live near the new station, mi can send her there, knowing well say she a guh be safe as well,” said Anderson.
Keisha White, a resident of Tower Hill which the station serves, said the new facility will help to bring about a transformation of the tough inner-city community.
“It feels good, mi nah lie. When mi look pon di station mi feel a sense of hope, because people can now access the station fi more than just reporting crimes or when dem a get arrest. Whoever come up wid the idea of having the resource centre was thinking bout the little children and youths of the area,” she said.