Press officer: San Pedranos must help police

Today Police Press Officer G. Michael Reid responded to the concerns of the San Pedranos. He told News Five this afternoon that community policing is necessary, but that even San Pedro cannot be an island unto itself, refusing to admit strangers out of fear.

G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer
?I think it?s more than just a lack of police protection; it?s a fact that the citizens understand that they need to become involved. There?s a lot of country to cover and one department to do it. What the Commissioner has done is to reinstitute the special constable programme on San Pedro, where we have people who will be trained in police work and that will be assisting the police. It is good, it is encouraging to see the community become involved and understand the need to participate in their own welfare.?

Karla Heusner
?One of the comments that two of the speakers made was that they believe the criminals come from other places in the country. Is that an accurate assessment or are there people on San Pedro that cause problems as well??

G. Michael Reid
?We believe that it?s a bit of both. Certainly those coming on the island contribute to that and these are the ones that are harder to detect. The police cannot stop people from going on to the island; that would result in a public outcry. And certainly though, the residents of that area when they see someone they are not familiar with may be more aware of that, watch the move of these people. But we do not want to discriminate as such, but for the welfare of the residents of the island we do encourage them to be aware of who visits the island.?

So far no one has been charged with the murder of Antonio Almendarez, but police say investigations continue.