Crooks plague Rocky Point fisherfolk

Fisherfolk in Rocky Point, St Thomas, are at their wits' end with what they describe as a security issue at the fishing village.

The disgruntled tradesmen said that they have been plagued by thieves for an extended period. Recently, their wounds deepened following another robbery at the beach in which a motor car and a boat engine were stolen.

"Fisherman things can't stay on the beach. You can't put down anything and come back come see it. The other day they stole a brand new engine from here. They destroyed the building and took away the engine... anything you put pon the beach, man come and take them away. They even stole a fisherman's car weh day. We have some serious problem down here, man," said Robert Thompson.

The Golden Grove police said that they have been receiving several larceny reports from people who work in the fishing village. One cop told THE STAR that the area is patrolled frequently by lawmen, but note that the absence of electricity at the fishing village has been putting fisherfolk at a disadvantage.

"There used to be light there, but the person who was in charge died, and ever since the area has been without electricity, since they would have to pay the power company to connect it. A solution would be for the fishermen to come together and set up a neighbourhood watch," one policeman told THE STAR.

Thompson, who shared that he has been operating in the area for more than 30 years, said that in order to reduce the incidence of crime at the fishing village, all hands would have to be on deck.

"The people dem not coming together and unite, and mi know if we do, everybody must benefit from it. If you tell some of them say let us stay pon the beach and see what going on a night-time, no man not looking at you ... dem gone a dem yard and nuh business with you, so the robberies will never stop."

PROPER INFRASTRUCTURE

Another fisherman, who gave his name only as Taff, also raised issue with the lack of proper infrastructure.

"Not only do we not have light, but we don't have water, either. There are no houses here, only business places, but it would be good if certain things were set up certain way. If a few things are put in place, then we will be alright.

"We would like some street lights or something down here, because by 6 o'clock in the evening or so, the beach has to close because of the darkness. We would really want to get the current, bigger pipe main, and some better roads ... just proper infrastructure overall, so I don't know if someone out there who might be able to help us put things in place," he said.