Police/army action working in Laventille

OFFICERS of the Besson Street Police said yesterday that since the introduction of police/army patrols in Laventille, there have been no reports of serious crimes. National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee said yesterday that the joint patrols are having the desired results. He said more anti-crime measures will be introduced in the area shortly, but declined to give details of those measures. “We are determined to clean-up Laventille, despite whatever obstacles are placed in our path,” the Minister said.

He praised the work of ACP Crime Oswyn Allard, and the commitment of the police officers and others who are on temporary transfer to the Port-of-Spain CID, for round the clock mobile and foot patrols in Laventille. On Saturday, police and soldiers combed several areas regarded as “high crime” in Laventille, including Picton, Pump Trace, Dan Kelly, Africa, Beverly Hills, Rock City, Block 22, Rudolph Charles Link Road, Rose Hill, St Barb’s, Observatory Street, Blundell Alley, Alexander Place, Leau Place, Canada and Plaisance.

Some of the officers involved in the patrols walked through tracks and greeted residents. More than 75 percent of the murders for the year took place in Laventille, Gonzales and Belmont. The last murder in Laventille was last Wednesday night when Prison Officer Winston Sandy was shot five times. His body was discovered in a dirt track at Alexander Place by officers who were involved in “Operation Baghdad”. Senior officers from other police divisions said since the introduction of the patrols in Laventille, many of the criminal elements may have shifted their operations elsewhere, and they are putting measures in place to deal with any criminal activities.