More police vigilance needed in Southern Division

THE EDITOR: I am a retired senior police officer, I live in the San Fernando area and I am now involved in social work in the said area and environs.

As an ex-crime fighter, I am taken by “shock and awe” at the way illicit drugs are sold in this division and also illegal firearms seem to be in the possession of a lot of these drug dealers.
What is shocking is that the police seem unable to deal with the drug dealers and gun runners in areas like La Romaine, Pleasantville, Marabella, Mon Repos, Ste Madeleine, Embacadere and even Debe and Claxton Bay.

Very often I read in the press about the success of various police units against crime in Northern Eastern Division, Port-of-Spain and recently Central and South-Western divisions. What is wrong with Southern Division? The drug dealers and drug lords and gun runners seem to be on top and the police in south have no answers. What is wrong with the CID (South) and Divisional Task Force? I would like to know what is their crime detection rates and how many illegal firearms have been seized and how many persons arrested and convicted for illegal firearms and drugs.

ACP Crime (Allard) and Mr Guy (COP) should do something now. The taxpaying citizens in San Fernando and to a greater extent Southern Division deserve better from the police. Put the right people in the right places and encourage the senior officers in charge of the division to stop playing politics. Time to change the guard. (Now)

ANDY A MUNROE
Retired Supt