Urban Renewal “Not Dead”

Shortly after 9:30am, members of the Urban Renewal Programme, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Housing, the police and The Ministry of Social Development combed the streets starting from Lewis Street.

The team of officials was hoping to hear firsthand concerns of the residents in that community.

Over the last few weeks, Urban Renewal has been making headlines with Progressive Liberal Party leader Perry Christie blasting the new administration for – in his words – dismantling the programme.

A family in Nassau Village even suggested several weeks ago that their loved one’s murder could have been avoided if the Urban Renewal Office in their community had not been shut down.

The new government has since implemented its Neighborhood Crime Prevention initiative, which will operate on several platforms such as intelligence, crime prevention, crime-fighting and community cohesion.

Centre manager of the Farm Road Urban Renewal project, Aurellius Jordan, said he wanted to let the community know the project is not dead.

"Our objective for coming into the community is to assess the community and assess the needs of the people in the community," Mr. Jordan said.

He said the walkabout would also help build a partnership to sustain the programme.

"We want to let the community know that we are still here and the office has not been shut down. We also want to make our presence [felt] with our partners to address some of the needs. We want to know what type of issues and challenges they are facing in their community and how we will be able to assist them," Mr. Jordan said.

As the coordinator of the project, Mr. Jordan explained that he has to network with the relevant agencies involved in the programme.

"I am basically responsible to come up with programmes and search for new programmes and needs for the community. I am also responsible to refer persons who may come into the office to the relevant agencies where they can be further assisted," Mr. Jordan said.

While he is new to the Farm Road Project having been involved for a month, Mr. Jordan said his experience with the programme extends to over a year and a half.

Over the months he said that Urban Renewal has been successful in gaining the support of the community, which could assist someway in tackling the crime problem.

Already, he said concerns involving proliferation of garbage and derelict vehicles have been addressed.

Superintendent David Deveaux, officer in charge of the Central Division, touted the success of pass walkabouts in Over-the-Hill communities.

He said as the police become more familiar with the residents they grow more attached to the officers and in turn assist officers with critical information that can help in crime-solving.

Superintendent Deveaux added that with the murder count climbing, walkabouts could be essential in exposing criminally-minded citizens.

"It is our objective to make our presence felt because we have an obligation to ensure that the law is maintained and the peace is kept. So by us being in the community on a continuing basis those in the community will feel more comfortable and incidents will be reduced," he said.

"We have persons in the communities who are very supportive and have assisted us greatly and many of them want to see things get better in the community. So we want to continue that so we can foster that good relationship and chances are crimes within this area will be reduced." Superintendent Deveaux said.

There are currently nine urban Renewal offices in New Providence, according to police officials.