Monspace donates vehicles to SVG Police

The police officers assigned to drive the five vehicles donated to the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have been warned to be careful while using them.

Last Friday, Monspace, a Malaysian based company, handed over the Toyota Aygo cars to the RSVGPF during a ceremony at the Central Police Station in Kingstown.

The vehicles, valued at EC$90,000 each, were secured after lawyer and former government minister René Baptiste met with chief of strategic corporate planning at Monspace Stanley Too.

Accepting the vehicles, Deputy Commissioner of Police Colin John said police officers have been advised and instructed to drive with due care and attention.

He said preventive measures, such as quarterly inspections and defensive driving courses, have been employed to ensure that the vehicles are well taken care of, and while it is often highlighted that police do not take care of vehicles, there are some success stories.

He pointed to the bus used by the police band being 17 years old, two fire tenders being 20 years old, the DARE programme vehicle going for 17 years and a 12-year-old vehicle attached to the Narcotics Division.

“This is cogent evidence of the police taking care of vehicles,” said Deputy Commissioner John, adding that the five vehicles do not replace, but complement “the tried and tested method of walking the district.”

In thanking Monspace, John said the police are grateful for the donation, because the company could have chosen another organization.

“The gift is timely and necessary,” noted John.  

The vehicles have been deployed to the Port Elizabeth Police Station, the Traffic Branch, the Calliaqua Police Station, the Process and Criminal Records Office and the Major Crimes Unit (MCU).

During remarks at the ceremony, Baptiste said she decided to ask for the vehicles because more vehicles are needed by the police and the Government cannot do it alone.

“Persons said that the vehicles are going to be destroyed, but I am sure they will take care of them,” said Baptiste, who added that initially, the vehicles were red, but they were repainted by the RSVGPF.

She is hoping that other persons can see this donation and as a result,

“ask what they can do for SVG.”

Addressing the ceremony, Too said when Baptiste asked him to donate the vehicles, he immediately said yes. He said she had asked for one, but he told her he would do more than one.

The Monspace representative said he was touched by Baptiste’s patriotism, because he hadn’t known her for a long time when she asked for the donation.

“…It shows that you really love country and you prepared to lose your face value to do things for your country and immediately, I said yes.”

Too said that he will be making checks and once the vehicles are properly maintained, he will sponsor 20 electrical motor bikes.

“It is not every time you need to use a car; sometimes a motor bike becomes more efficient,” explained Too, who added that electrical motors bikes are easier to maintain.

The donation ceremony was attended by several high-ranking police officers.(LC)