The Barrouallie Police Station, which was moved to a house in Peters Hope in February 2021 because of the dilapidated condition of its century-old historic building, is being moved to another temporary location: the Barrouallie Community Centre.
The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) said the relocation is part of its ongoing commitment to responsive policing.
“This temporary relocation follows extensive engagement with community stakeholders in Barrouallie, where residents expressed the need for enhanced police presence and greater accessibility to services within the town,” the force said in a press statement.
“The RSVGPF has listened to those concerns and is acting decisively to ensure that the officers serving the district are stationed within an environment that supports both operational efficiency and community interaction,” the statement said.
The police force had promised since May 2024 that the police outpost would be relocated to the centre of the town.
The police statement this week said that the community centre provides “a secure and spacious facility capable of accommodating police personnel and the resources necessary to maintain law and order effectively.
“The RSVGPF anticipates that this move will strengthen the bond between the police and the people of Barrouallie, fostering an environment of cooperation that is essential to crime prevention and national security.”
Meanwhile, the force said it was “actively advancing plans for the construction of a new, permanent police station in Barrouallie, a development that will further enhance policing capacity in the Western Division. Preparatory work is already underway to ensure that this project moves forward efficiently and sustainably.”
The statement said plans are in motion for the rehabilitation of the Layou Police Station, “which remains a vital component of the policing framework on the leeward side of the island.
“These initiatives form part of the broader organisational commitment to modernise facilities, support the welfare of officers, and strengthen the delivery of security services across Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.”
The Layou Police station has also been in a state or disrepair for some time, with plants growing on the roof and sewage seeping into the street from its septic system.
The relocation of the Barrouallie Police Station to yet another temporary location comes as police stations in various parts of the country have been located in temporary locations, some of them, such as Spring Village and Colonarie, for over 20 years.
“The RSVGPF extends appreciation to the residents of Barrouallie and surrounding communities for their continued cooperation and partnership. Together, we are building safer communities and a more secure Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,” the police statement said.
Why was the station located to Peter’s Hope? All the reasons given to move back to the town was not considered? Jokers!