Residents Take Charge By Stepping In To Make It Cleaner and Greener

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – For years, residents in this quiet part of Fort Charlotte say illegal dumping and overgrown lots have become more than an eyesore.

President of the Neighbourhood Crime Watch Association, Clem Richardon, says its become a safety concern.

Clem Richardson – President, Crime Watch Association, Adastra Gardens Estates II

“This bushy area here is used by passersby. Some neighbors also were seen throwing debris in this area here.”

However, according to Richardson, cleaning it up is not as simple as it sounds.

Clem Richardson – President, Crime Watch Association, Adastra Gardens Estates II

“For the most part, we would have neighbors come out and assist in this venture, but that means people have to give their money to get your dumpsters, the backhoe or trucks to tow it away, it’s pretty expensive.”

Richardson says they’ve tried to get help.

Clem Richardson – President, Crime Watch Association, Adastra Gardens Estates II

“I didn’t write a letter, I made some calls, I went to some places where meetings were set, but I never got a meeting.

“So that was another reason why it hadn’t been cleaned in a long time.”

Despite this, leaving it unchecked she says, creates an even bigger risk.

Clem Richardson – President, Crime Watch Association, Adastra Gardens Estates II

“Illegal dumping today, and it can escalate to something else tomorrow, I think things like that would bring crime to your neighborhood.”

Free National Movement candidate for Fort Charlotte Travis Robinson, says he stepped in after hearing those same concerns from residents.

Travis Robinson – Candidate, Free National Movement

“Fort Charlotte is a beautiful community and we’re working in partnership to try to keep it that way.”

Robinson says residents he spoke to said they had already reached out to the relevant agencies without success.

Travis Robinson – Candidate, Free National Movement

“Over a period there’s been no action on it to no avail, despite their efforts, and so for me it was a no-brainer to be able to jump into action to lend support for a community that’s been asking for so long.”

He says rather than wait, the community decided to act.

Travis Robinson – Candidate, Free National Movement

“Fort Charlotte is a hardworking community, and so the partnership of the neighbors including myself, we came together and we determined that this is our Fort Charlotte. Whether the government comes to bear or not, we’re taking pride in our Fort Charlotte, and we’re putting the work in that needs to be done.”