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THE VINCENTIAN. FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2014. 13.
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BDS De Freitas to the rescue SOME CONCERN has been raised regarding the lack of regular police patrols at bus stops around Kingstown, particularly during the night. This view was expressed by local businessman, Douglas De Freitas — owner of Nice Radio, who telephoned into the New Times programme on Monday to relate a story of how he saved a young man’s life last Friday. “This is the most frightening thing I ever saw God forbid that I didn’t go to the ATM machine,” De Freitas said. The businessman explained that around 7pm there was a large crowd at the bus stop in the vicinity of Star Garage, near the entrance into Murray’s Village. But according to De Freitas, there was an even larger crowd, comprised partly of graduating students, in the area known as Mahogany Bar, in the area of the National Lotteries Authority Tennis Court. He related that he was making his way out of Kingstown when he saw a young man being chased by a group of people, which included male and female students in uniform armed with stones, bottles and other makeshift weapons. The youngster who was being chased fell to the ground and one of the young men in pursuit, after looking as though he was going to strike the youth who had already fallen to the ground with what appeared to be a large stone, had a sudden change of heart, and the young man was able to get up and run off. De Freitas said that he risked having his vehicle damaged and drove alongside the young man, beckoned him into his vehicle and whisked away to safety. When he questioned him, the young man explained to De Freitas that his younger sister had indicated that she was going to church and when he came
down the road, he saw that she was being fondled by a group of young men. That, according to the young man, was what sparked off the altercation. The businessman also expressed some concern that there might be a practice of selling alcohol to students at an establishment in the area of the bus stop near to the Girls’ High School. But even worse, De Freitas said
that the area is frequented by police, but then as it starts to get dark, they leave. “There is no police presence in these large gatherings,” he said. “If police were around, that would not have happened. We can’t have that many people there and no police in that area,” he said.
Douglas De Freitas, seen here handing a package of supplies to a December 2013, is known to be an outspoken but caring person.
DonÊt take chances with electricity by WILLIAM ‘KOJAH’ ANTHONY IF YOU HAVE a faulty electrical gadget at your office, farm, school or factory, get a professional to fix it. That’s the advice from VINLEC’s Chief Executive Officer, Thornley Myers. He was speaking last Tuesday on the occasion of the launch of his company’s National Occupational Safety and Health Conference, which gets going on May 15. That conference will be under the theme: ‘Educate, demonstrate, participate’. Myers cited an example of a family who resorted to taping a transformer which was causing problems at their home. Unfortunately, a child removed the tape and was shocked. He conceded that electricity was a high risk activity, and emphasised that it was important that high standards of safety be maintained. VINLEC has been holding environmental safety and health awareness campaigns for the past four years, but for Myers, safety is an allyear activity. “Anything that we can do to engender awareness, we have to do,” Myers outlined. The CEO dubbed the National Occupational Safety and Health Conference as a first of its kind. It
forms part of a month long observation Vinlec personnel, including CEO to highlight environmental health and Thornley Myers (R) at the launch of the National Occupational Safety and safety issues. Health Conference last Tuesday.
The Conference The National Occupational Safety and Health Conference swings into business May 15 following its opening ceremony at the National Insurance Services Conference room the previous afternoon. It will hear a presentation from the Attorney General’s office on measures to fast track the implementation of laws aimed at occupational safety and health. Myers highlighted that the laws surrounding safety matters were derived from the 1943 Industrial Machinery Act. He is anticipating that the adjustments will be made to render the laws more in keeping with today’s trends. VINLEC’s Anthony Patterson will
update the conference on safety thrusts in the environment. Mineva Glasgow will present on the “Economics of safety and health’ . Approximately 100 persons are expected to attend the Conference. Continuing activities will be held throughout May, one of those being issue of ‘Vision and Eye Care’. A Utilities Public Speaking competition is scheduled for May 21 at the Peace Memorial Hall. VINLEC officials will visit the communities of Spring Village, South Rivers, Union Island and Mayreau, and schools during the period. Workshops have also been planned. A Safety Ambassador and Safety Star Search competitions, May 30, round off the list of events.