Recently, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) held a significant meeting with the National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT) to address crucial safety concerns related to bus stops and routes.
The discussions, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Charlotte Thomas, aimed to strengthen the relationship between the police and transportation service providers, ensuring a safer environment for commuters.
President of the NCOPT, Godfrey Ferdinand, emphasised the collaborative spirit of the meeting. “The meeting with police was to address bus stop and route safety and police presence on bus stops. We also dealt with the issue of how we can help the police to make work easier.”
He stated that a collaboration involving both parties will occur to ensure that commuters and operators are feeling safer. “We don’t want to see the police as an enemy but a partner to feel safer.”
Ferdinand noted the significance of the meeting, particularly under the new police regime.
Verne Garde became Acting Commissioner of Police on September 2, 2024, succeeding the Island’s first ever female police chief, Crusita Descartes Pelius.
Garde’s contract is for six months.
“For the new police regime, this is our first meeting. I believe the police team is serious to see improvement in the sector towards the motoring public and different associations. It was a successful meeting and this will ensure that we can keep being on target to achieve our goals,” NCOPT President Godfrey Ferdinand explained.
A key point of discussion was the necessity for all associations with routes near police stations to submit their driver information licenses annually.
“One of the things we discussed was that all associations that have a police station on their route should submit their driver information licenses every year, which will document the health of their buses, and so on, to make processes and evaluations quicker and more efficient,” Ferdinand told St. Lucia Times.
He hopes that the efforts between the RSLPF and NCOPT signal a promising step toward enhancing safety and efficiency in public transportation across Saint Lucia, fostering an environment where commuters and operators can feel secure and supported.
Square pegs in wrong hole.Dont even know what they’re talking about.Its just for the ” purpose of the exercise”.#RSLPF
I am so lost: where is the Transport Department in all of this? I always applaud people trying to make a difference and i commend police and Godfrey for this, however safety is everyone’s business and all must be involved in all the discussions– Taxis, tour Operators as well. I wonder if traffic police know that majority of road collisions are by and with private vehicles!!! Yes, bus drivers are the most aggresive on our roads but private car drivers are dangerous and oblivious at the same time.
Tslk, talk and more talk. Is a meeting even necessary to realize most of the problems on the road are caused by speeding and drunk driving? Just start giving them speeding tickets and of course fining them for driving under the influence like they do in the USA and other countries. I read an article right here a few months ago where the medical association was offering help in training or securing the use of breathalyzers. Has anyone from RSLPF collaborated with them? Talk, talk, talk
A private vehicle crashed into my wall about 6 months ago. The driver sustained no injury. He never came back to apologize. In fact my wall saved him from what could have been a fatal accident. To make matters worse, the police officer who came on the scene for some reason refused to give the information about the incident to my insurance company. I have since been reimbursed by my insurance and I filed a report against this officer at the Police Complaints Unit. Waiting to see what happens. Although most people say going there is a waste of time. In the meantime I have two sharpened garden tools by my door which I will not hesitate to use on any inconsiderate driver who crashes into my yard.
Talk, talk and more talk. Is a meeting even necessary to realize most of the problems on the road are caused by speeding and drunk driving? Just start giving them speeding tickets and of course fining them for driving under the influence like they do in the USA and other countries. I read an article right here a few months ago where the medical association was offering help in training or securing the use of breathalyzers. Has anyone from RSLPF collaborated with them? Talk, talk, talk