To protect and serve who?

THE EDITOR: Please allow me a little space to relate to you an unfortunate incident that took place on March 19, 2003 at 12 noon.

I was travelling on the bus route in a small red band maxi from Curepe to Port-of-Spain. I was seated in the front of the maxi, beside the driver. After we crossed the lights by Morvant Junction and continued to proceed toward the hub a passenger indicated that he wanted to come out by the Day Care Centre. He stood up, paid the driver and snatched a gold band off my hand. As he exited the maxi, he said, “This is mine, family,” and walked away casually. At the same time, a police jeep with two male officers pulled up beside us. The driver of the maxi and a few of the passengers got out to explain what happened and told the officers the direction my assailant had walked in, hoping that the officers might be able to help.

The officers told us that they were not going into the Beetham because it was a risk and to report the incident to Besson Street Police Station. They said that they were from Siparia and made numerous other excuses. The end result was that the attacker escaped, the police went on to enjoy their day and a maxi load of people has again lost confidence in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force.
Is this justice?

NICOLE MARTIN CLARKE
Port-of-Spain