Tue | Dec 17, 2024

Cops hand out bike helmets in Guy’s Hill

Published:Tuesday | September 17, 2024 | 12:06 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
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Gary Chambers is presented with an helmet by Superintendent of Police Hopton Nicholson, head of the St Catherine North Police Division, and Millicent Dacosta, president of the Kiwanis Club of Guy’s Hill in St Catherine.
Ian Allen/Photographer
Gary Chambers is presented with an helmet by Superintendent of Police Hopton Nicholson, head of the St Catherine North Police Division, and Millicent Dacosta, president of the Kiwanis Club of Guy’s Hill in St Catherine.
Sergeant Delroy Cole of the St Catherine North Police Division stops Gary Chambers (left) and Josh Morgan, who were riding their motorcycles through the town of Guy’s Hill in St Catherine without helmets as the police were having one of their community o
Ian Allen/Photographer
Sergeant Delroy Cole of the St Catherine North Police Division stops Gary Chambers (left) and Josh Morgan, who were riding their motorcycles through the town of Guy’s Hill in St Catherine without helmets as the police were having one of their community outreach programmes. They were cautioned and then presented with helmets.
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Held under the Police on Patrol Uplifting People (POPUP) initiative, members of the St Catherine North Police Division last week continued their stakeholders intervention in Guy’s Hill, St Catherine.

The occasion saw the police, in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Guy’s Hill and HEART/NSTA Trust, registering several residents for training at HEART’s Old Harbour and Lluidas Vale campuses.

Several motorcyclists were given safety tips by the police, as well as protective helmets to wear while on the road.

Sixty-two-year-old Guy’s Hill resident and bike rider Abraham Linton endorsed the initiative.

“As the eldest recipient, I am well aware of how effective the helmet can be. Many think that it is not necessary, but I know that it is very important for bikers and millions alike,” Linton said.

Superintendent of Police Hopton Nicholson, head of the St Catherine North police, was pleased with the outcome of the activity.

“This initiative is one where we (the police) in partnership with the Kiwanis Club are helping drivers to be safe. I am especially pleased, as there have been five bike accidents here in Guy’s Hill, one of which resulted in a fatality, so this is a timely intervention,” he said.

Nicholson implored the motorcyclists to exercise caution on the road and asked for a united effort in crime-fighting initiatives.

Millicent DaCosta, president of the Guy’s Hill Kiwanis Club, said the helmet giveaway was born out of a need for timely intervention.

“We find that there is a need for education of motorcycle operators, as they continue to be part of the accident statistics. As a service club, we are empowering them to keep safe,” DaCosta said.

For Guy’s Hill Councillor Joseph Johnson, it was a meaningful gesture in the rural community.

“I commend the effort for road safety and awareness. The helmets will help to cushion the blow if there is an accident. I know that many have benefited from this effort,” Johnson said.

Not even the torrential downpour on the day could dampen the proceedings, which was interspersed with entertainment and giveaways.

The consensus of residents with whom The Gleaner spoke was that the POPUP campaign needs to be replicated islandwide.

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