The Southern Division of The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) has implemented an enhanced series of nightly Anti-Praedial Larceny Patrols to combat crop theft – a pilot project that may be rolled out in the other divisions across the island.
The initiative, as outlined by Superintendent Anthony Warner, Deputy Commander of the Southern Division, includes the Oistins Station in Christ Church, District B in St George and District C that covers St John and St Philip.
Warner was speaking following a meeting with farmers from across the island last Tuesday, at King George V Memorial Park in St Philip, in collaboration with the state-owned Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC).
The farmers, who shared concerns about crop theft, were addressed by Superintendent Warner as well as Southern Division Community Policing Officer, Constable Geba Bowen, Constable Kirk Straker of the Praedial Larceny Patrol Team and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the BADMC, Dr Claire Durant.
The farmers were urged to assist in the anti-crop theft effort by implementing recommended measures such as surveillance cameras and motion detectors and to use the “Certificate of Purchase for Agricultural Produce” receipt books issued to them by the BADMC to help identify legitimately obtained produce.
Superintendent Warner noted that during the meeting the police were able to outline to the farmers the pilot programme, which includes having the entire Southern Division, and particularly the agricultural belt, mapped out in zones where officers will be patrolling.
He stated: “We have a crop patrol team, and they will be patrolling in those zones to address the challenges that some of the farmers are having. What we are seeking to achieve out of that is to strengthen our surveillance of the farm coverage area, to introduce a structured harvest notification procedure and establish standardized produce identification systems”.
The Southern Division Deputy Divisional Commander added: “…most importantly, coming out of this pilot project we are also seeking to improve the relationship, communication and collaboration with (stakeholders) to see how much information we can get and how best we can police and service this section of our community – the farmers that we rely on so much for our food security. We are also looking to disrupt the illegal re-sale market for agricultural produce with zero tolerance….”. (PR)
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