Marshall: ‘Increased police presence’ in The Pine

Attorney General Dale Marshall says there will be an increase in the number of police officers in The Pine community in response to a recent upsurge in violence.

In a statement released to the media, Marshall said the new year has begun with gunmen “wreaking havoc” in the densely populated community.

He said while the injuries sustained have not been life-threatening, the ability of residents of the area to live peacefully in their homes and to be outdoors in the night, as is their right, has been threatened.

“We will not allow any community in Barbados to be held under siege, not under any circumstances,” Marshall said.

“The Police Service has therefore determined that as an immediate response, The Pine area will see saturated policing. In other words, there will be an increased police presence on the streets in that community, both mobile and on foot.”

The AG said the increased police presence is in addition to the “investigative strategies” and resources that are usually employed.

“This response will certainly place increased pressure on our manpower resources, but this is a necessary step at this stage,” Marshall said.

Meanwhile, Marshall said he’s asked the residents of The Pine to “match the police effort at making them safe” by coming forward with whatever information they have, no matter how insignificant they may think it is.

“Early information allows the Police Service to be more effective in their efforts, and can even help them to prevent these kinds of occurrences,” the AG said. (DLB)