by TREVOR YEARWOOD

A SENIOR POLICE OFFICER has called for a major street lighting programme for Bridgetown to help in the fight against crime.

Pointing out that, generally, people lurked in dark areas to commit crime, Senior Superintendent Morgan Greaves yesterday appealed for better lighting on several Bridgetown streets.

"I am very concerned about the lighting in Bridgetown," the head of the force's Bridgetown Division told the DAILY NATION. "Bridgetown is not properly lit in most areas.

"Yes, you may have good lighting in Broad Street and, to some extent, Swan Street, but there are a lot of other areas which need to be properly lit."

Greaves said that even "the road that leads to our main police station I find is not properly lit".

He pointed out that proper street lighting usually "helps to cut down on the crime situation", adding: "Persons get in dark areas and commit crimes . . . ."

He urged the authorities to "ensure that there is proper lighting in Bridgetown", while underscoring the need for an active street light maintenance programme.

Complaining that it had taken the authorities "a long time" to fix malfunctioning street lights on Baxters Road and Swan Street, he said he hoped that in future corrective work "would be done as urgently as possible".

Greaves also voiced concern about extensive illegal parking on Baxters Road – the street that never sleeps – especially at night.

He admitted, however, that some motorists might park illegally because of fears their vehicles will be broken into if they parked in dimly lit areas.

trevoryearwood @nationnews.com