No working vehicle to serve the largest police district, sources allege; critics question the competency of public safety minister

Officers attached to the St. John’s Police Station are reportedly
unable to carry out their duties effectively, as they are working
without a vehicle. 
 
Sources say the only working transport available is a bus that is
used for duties at the High Court of Justice.
 
Reports say that a senior officer has charge of that vehicle, and
sources claim that, after it is returned to the station, he locks the bus
and holds onto the keys.

Further, the sources allege that this officer often leaves work with
the vehicle and does not return it until the following day, when it is
to be used for Court duties.
 
Reports say that, in addition to the bus, there were at least two
working vehicles at the station. However, one was reassigned to the
Grays Farm Police Station, because those officers also had been
without transportation to carry out duties and respond to reports.
 
Our sources say the other vehicle eventually broke down and was
taken to be repaired.

Questions are now being asked about the situation, and persons are
criticizing the newly knighted Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie”
Benjamin, who is responsible for public safety, and asking why
residents must suffer because of his incompetence. 
 
Persons are asking how the station which covers the largest district
could be left without a vehicle, and wondering how officers will
respond to reports.
 
Meanwhile, the sources say that since the St. John’s Station has been
relocated to Bay Street – in the former premises of the Antigua Port
Authority administrative offices – there has been chaos.
 
According to one insider, it has gotten even worse since the senior
officer in command went on leave, leaving his second in charge.
Reportedly, several officers have not been showing up for duty and
are calling in sick, the source says.
 
The St. John’s Police Station has been operating in Villa for a few
months now, since repairs are being undertaken on the Newgate
Street building, which was rundown and mold- and vermin-infested.

It is unclear how soon the repairs will be completed and the officers
returned to their original home.

However, some officers remain on the Newgate Street compound
and are working out of a shipping container that is located at the
back of the premises.
 
They are in place for the guarding of prisoners and suspects who are
kept in the holding cells there, since the Bay Street facility is not
equipped with a holding area for detainees.