Saint Lucia’s National Council on Public Transportation (NCOPT) has warned bus drivers to be on their guard and is mulling new security measures, in the wake the recent Hermina Lorde murder and Friday’s shooting of a Vieux Fort bus driver.
The driver survived the shooting.
However, NCOPT President Godfrey Ferdinand has advised bus operators to be wary of becoming targets of criminals.
“We know that the police will not be everywhere,” Ferdinand observed.
As a result he told St Lucia Times the public transport sector needs to see how it can protect itself.
“We are looking at this,” the NCOPT President disclosed.
And one measure he suggested was investment in security cameras on buses which he believes would help deter criminals.
A lone gunman fatally shot Hermina Lorde, the Secretary of the Gros Islet Minibus Association, earlier this month.
The gunman fired multiple times at the 49 year old in full view of early morning commuters in Castries before fleeing.
Ferdinand expressed condolences to the Gros Islet Minibus Association over the murder, describing it as ‘shocking’ and ‘heartless’.
He observed that there has been an increase in crime locally.
But while acknowledging that everyone is affected, Ferdinand said the NCOPT is also concerned over the effect on its members.
Headline photo caption: Stock image
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