THE work of Metro Police was applauded at the Bulwer Safety and Urban Regeneration Forum’s (BSURF) monthly meeting last Tuesday night.
Speaking at the meeting, chairperson Heather Rorick, said she was saddened by the fact residents were ‘bad mouthing’ Metro Police on social media, when they had done so much to help the Bulwer Community Improvement Project (BCIP).
“The crime and grime has dropped considerably on Helen Joseph Road since the start of the BCIP and the introduction of the community ambassadors. The project is growing and I have had a positive response from the community, with residents also contacting me to get on board. We work closely with Metro Police and they have worked overtime to patrol the road at night because of the concerns I have taken to them. Helen Joseph Road during the day is totally different to what it is at night, and Metro walk up and down the road and are active in the area day and night. Having them on the ground has helped to bring the crime down. They are a great asset to the BCIP,” she said.
Rorick said she was also working with the ward councillor to address the issue of parking in the road, as with the introduction of new restaurants there is increased congestion in the road.
Speaking on behalf of Metro Police at the meeting, Insp Martin Koster and Insp Nico Geithrie said the Metro Police were working hard in the area, considering the large area they have to cover.
“We have a large area to police and also have to attend to various complaints and special events. There’s a lot to do besides patrolling, but we do have six members working overtime from noon to midnight in Helen Joseph Road and surroundings on foot. On Friday and Saturday other members deal with law enforcement in the road and Florida Road,” said Insp Koster.
He said the stats for the month included 230 vagrants being removed from the area, 268 prostitutes were issued fines, 29 people were fined for urinating in public, 36 were fined for drinking in public, eight people were fined for playing loud music and 1325 motorists were issued fines for parking violations.
