ComPol Williams Says Operation Safe Zone is Working

Chester Williams

Between April and May of last year a string of robberies in the downtown area targeted vendors and businesses and left city residents feeling unsafe to shop. Those incidents, which preyed on businesses like Hofius and Spoonaz café, among several others, pushed police to implement Operation Safe Zone. The policing strategy saw the beefing up of patrols and increased presence of officers in the immediate area to discourage criminals. The City Council and area representative for the Albert’s Tracey Panton also loaned their support to the police department to tackle crime. Well, that ramping up of policing efforts happened back in June and eight months later, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says the effort has been successful in reducing robberies and restoring safety in the area. Here’s more from Commissioner Williams on operation safe zone.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Through the initiative of the Minister, we came about with the in June of last year. And from then to now, the operational area of safe zone has been relatively quiet. And we know that before safe zone came about, robberies were being taking place in the area and business was being lost. People were afraid to go on the streets – Albert Street, Orange Street, King Street to shop because they feared that they would be robbed. And since the safe zone operation started we have seen the business atmosphere picked up. So much so that, I think every end of month they have fair on Albert Street where people go to shop and get discounts. Despite that, even though it attracts an influx of people to Albert Street area, our officers continue to perform exceptionally to ensure that those persons who go and shop, as well as the merchants are kept safe during those times. So, to the officers who work in the safe zone, thank you too for the good work in the safe zone area.”