ALLAN D’CRUZ
Noted for its peaceful and serene surroundings and the fact that “outsiders” are prevented from owning property on the island, the St Jacinto Island is an envied destination in the State.
While the bridge has facilitated access to the island, the residents have been confronted with an unexpected problem on the bridge connecting the island to the mainland.
The nuisance caused by outsiders have come aplenty: loud music late at night, consuming alcohol on the bridge, breaking bottles on roads and throwing bottles in the sea.
Determined to put a stop to this nuisance, the islanders have restricted outsiders on the bridge or at the island after dusk.
“Ever since the bridge was built, we have had many people visiting the island and they are most welcome, unless they start drinking and disturbing the peace,” said Lourdes D’Souza, a resident from St Jacinto Island. “Many youngsters come to the island and play loud music late at night. They also consume alcohol and break bottles on the road. Disgusted by this, we decided to put a stop to the nuisance.”
“With authorities failing to initially respond to our grievances, we got together and took turns in staying back every night from 9 pm to midnight on the bridge. We would drive away people creating a nuisance and carrying out other antisocial acts,” added D’Souza.
The islanders then decided to seek the intervention of local MLA Mauvin Godinho. “Godinho paid heed to our request and he later deployed a police control room van on the bridge and CCTV cameras will also be installed on the bridge. The island is now at peace ever since we took these initiatives,” added D’Souza.
In fact, CCTV cameras were being affixed on Wednesday and should start functioning shortly.
Visitors, however, feel that the measures have been excessive. “The island is the best place to spend an evening for its scenic view, but the police drive away people by 9 pm under the pretext that we are a potential threat,” complained a visitor, Richard Pereira.
Speaking to Herald, a policeman at the site said anti-social activity had stopped ever since police patrolling activity commenced on the bridge.
“Most people listen to us and immediately leave the place, while some others hesitate to do so. But now, many youth started coming to the site to try out stunts on the bridge. We have recently increased our patrolling timing so that we arrive at the site earlier to stop all such activities. We have been able to maintain law and order at the site,” said the policeman.
When contacted, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho said, “Many people who come here were seen consuming alcohol and breaking bottles on or near the bridge. During low tide, some of them would even go below the bridge and indulge in anti-social activities. The people were forced to take a strong stand against these unwanted activities,” said Godinho.
“I commend the locals for standing united in driving away social evils. I have a high regard for the residents of the island as they want to preserve the island from being sold to outsiders. I have now deployed police patrolling van on the island and CCTV cameras will be installed on the bridge within a week,” added Godinho.
Godinho said that residents of St Jacinto Island had set a unique example in preserving their land and environment. “People are most welcome to St Jacinto Island to enjoy the scenic view of the place, but those who seek to destroy the sanctity of the place are unwelcome and there will be a zero tolerance towards such people,” warned Godinho.
