Stop the abuse of sirens by the police

Minister Warner, I am sure if you took a national survey now, and asked members of the public if they felt the police officers were abusing their privileges in terms of using sirens to get through traffic conditions, there would be a huge and resounding yes, because people are very upset by this ‘bullying’ approach by some police in their vehicles. Let me give you a case in point. The other morning when coming around the Savannah just after the turn-off to Queen’s Hall, I saw a police vehicle in my rear view mirror. Traffic was flowing, so no problem—siren was off. Just before we got to Jernigham Avenue, the traffic pile-up had started. All of a sudden, the siren came on and the police vehicle whisked through traffic, turned left by Chaud and went down the road. By the time I had passed Laughlin & De Gannes—around New Street—there was the same police vehicle parked up on the right side with the three police officers eating and laughing inside.

 

There are many other incidents as these. Let me ask you Mr Minister, if you were in our situation—stuck in traffic—and keep seeing this repeated abuse of ‘privilege’ in order to get out of traffic, won’t you become very angry about this situation? We are asking you to please find a way to put a stop to this wonton abuse of power. In fact, some of my friends have become so upset by this that when they hear these deliberate sirens being used, they either don’t move their cars, or pretend their cars are giving trouble as a means of correcting the imbalance. This can also lead to other problems. Bottom line, one imbalance leads to another. We need your intervention because this abuse of siren situation is clearly getting out of hand.

 

Roger Gordon

Cascade