Bahamas News
01-28-05, - 01:51 PM
Riot In Nassau Village
Perez Clarke
Armed police officers attempting to keep order in Nassau Village on Thursday. (photo:Omar Barr)
Pandemonium broke out on Armstrong Street Thursday, one of the main thoroughfares in Nassau Village withdozens of Irate Residents clashing with The Police claiming the use of excessive force by police officers.
Throngs of people congregated on street corners, roof tops and even in front of their houses, obviously still outraged over the shooting of three of their neighbours, allegedly by a police officer on Wednesday.
Aggravated residents were seen hurling rocks, bottles, and even insults at both uniformed and plain clothed officers. Another resident threw what appeared to be a firebomb into the street and started a blaze.
Preoccupied officers were understandably not inclined to speak with The Bahama Journal as they had their hands full.
In fact, as some of them used their unmarked police cars as a barricade, one of the vehicles had already been targeted by an angry resident and had its back windshield shattered.
Police officials said that during the riot Wednesday night, five police vehicles were damaged, three by fire.
Intent on restoring law and order to the community and quelling tensions, the Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson spoke with residents himself.
He assured them that police investigators will get to the bottom of what happened and invited witnesses to Wednesday night’s incident to speak personally with him.
“I came here this evening to talk to you to resolve this issue and problems that occurred last evening,” he said. “There is no need for us to have a confrontation, law and order must be maintained. But we cannot do it opposing each other and we want to work with you in this community.”
Commissioner Farquharson said, “We have started some work already but because of this incident last night, tempers have flared and I have asked the Deputy Commissioner to look into the whole matter.”
“Those of you who have information about what occurred last night feel free to come to me so you can tell me what the real story is,” he said.
As news spread about renewed chaos in Nassau Village, community leaders, political figures, and even religious leaders headed in that direction to help calm the crowds.
The episode drew persons like Bishop Ross Davis, Parliamentary Secretary Ron Pinder, MP Kenyatta Gibson, and Youth Against Violence Director Carlos Reid. At last report, the three people who were shot were all said to be in stable condition.
Perez Clarke
Armed police officers attempting to keep order in Nassau Village on Thursday. (photo:Omar Barr)
Pandemonium broke out on Armstrong Street Thursday, one of the main thoroughfares in Nassau Village withdozens of Irate Residents clashing with The Police claiming the use of excessive force by police officers.
Throngs of people congregated on street corners, roof tops and even in front of their houses, obviously still outraged over the shooting of three of their neighbours, allegedly by a police officer on Wednesday.
Aggravated residents were seen hurling rocks, bottles, and even insults at both uniformed and plain clothed officers. Another resident threw what appeared to be a firebomb into the street and started a blaze.
Preoccupied officers were understandably not inclined to speak with The Bahama Journal as they had their hands full.
In fact, as some of them used their unmarked police cars as a barricade, one of the vehicles had already been targeted by an angry resident and had its back windshield shattered.
Police officials said that during the riot Wednesday night, five police vehicles were damaged, three by fire.
Intent on restoring law and order to the community and quelling tensions, the Commissioner of Police Paul Farquharson spoke with residents himself.
He assured them that police investigators will get to the bottom of what happened and invited witnesses to Wednesday night’s incident to speak personally with him.
“I came here this evening to talk to you to resolve this issue and problems that occurred last evening,” he said. “There is no need for us to have a confrontation, law and order must be maintained. But we cannot do it opposing each other and we want to work with you in this community.”
Commissioner Farquharson said, “We have started some work already but because of this incident last night, tempers have flared and I have asked the Deputy Commissioner to look into the whole matter.”
“Those of you who have information about what occurred last night feel free to come to me so you can tell me what the real story is,” he said.
As news spread about renewed chaos in Nassau Village, community leaders, political figures, and even religious leaders headed in that direction to help calm the crowds.
The episode drew persons like Bishop Ross Davis, Parliamentary Secretary Ron Pinder, MP Kenyatta Gibson, and Youth Against Violence Director Carlos Reid. At last report, the three people who were shot were all said to be in stable condition.