ST JAMES, Jamaica — Assistant General Manager for Engineering and Contract Monitoring at the National Housing Trust (NHT), Alex Bernard, says the opening of the upgraded Little London Police Station stands as a powerful symbol of renewal, resilience, and Jamaica’s shared responsibility to rebuild.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony for the facility in Westmoreland recently, Bernard said that the occasion carried a special significance.

“Westmoreland, like many parishes across Jamaica, has experienced its fair share of challenges in recent weeks, yet the spirit behind today’s event remains the same –resilience, partnership, and our shared responsibility to rebuild Jamaica,” he said.

Bernard noted that the handover is more than a construction milestone – it is a symbol of renewal.

“These moments remind us that nation-building is never the work of one group; it requires communities, institutions, and agencies moving together,” he argued.

Bernard pointed out that the project falls under the NHT’s Construction and Refurbishing of Police Stations Programme, designed to strengthen police facilities located within a 10-mile radius of Trust-funded housing developments.

“Since 2018, the NHT has delivered modern security facilities across Jamaica… . Today, Little London proudly joins that list,” he said, noting that the project was completed “in just over two and a half years, and despite the challenges brought on by a major natural event”.

The upgraded station includes administrative offices, holding cells, and living quarters, along with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry area. Sustainability features include a rainwater harvesting system and the addition of solar-power-generation equipment.

“These features will reduce operational costs, strengthen resilience, and help ensure that the facility remains functional, even during periods of disruption,” Bernard said.

To the officers who will serve at the upgraded facility, Bernard said, “We hope this new station provides the environment you need to serve effectively, rest comfortably, and continue your mission with pride and strength.

“To the residents of Little London, this station is yours. It represents safety, stability, and a place where concerns can be voiced, challenges can be addressed, and relationships can be built,” he added.

In his remarks, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Danree Delancy, described the opening as “an important and historic day” for the community.

“We are not just celebrating the opening of a building. We are celebrating a commitment to safety, to service and to the continued growth and well-being of citizens in and around the Little London area,” he said.

Mayor Delancy noted that the station represents “an investment in our future” and serves as a symbol of partnership between the police and the community.

“Our officers here are not only enforcers of the law. Indeed, they are our neighbours, mentors and guardians who work every day to keep our community safe,” he said.

Mayor Delancy said the community looks forward to “a safer, stronger and even more connected Little London and  by extension Westmoreland”.

–       JIS