Laventille see Chin Lee’s visit as ‘waste of time’

NATIONAL Security Minister Howard Chin Lee was yesterday confronted by Laventille residents, who said that the St Barb’s Police Post was a waste of time, while others asked if he could provide jobs for them.

Some of the residents also charged that yesterday’s walkabout was nothing but a gimmick and insisted that Chin Lee should talk to the people on a one-on-one basis. As the Minister, flanked by Acting Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs and other members of the protective services walked through an area known as Palm Ville, a 25-year-old taxi driver complained that drivers in the area were being blamed innocently for certain crimes. He said taxi drivers could not tell who their passengers were. Chin Lee started to tell the man that there are four mobile units, including one in Laventille. But the man, surrounded by about six others did not wait for Chin Lee to complete his statement, asking what is the real purpose of the “station at the bottom of St. Barb’s.” “The police can’t do anything. You hear shots, people are dying right in front of the station. They do nothing. The police are there for no reason at all,” he said. The Minister and Snaggs then left promising to look at the situation.  Snaggs later told reporters that the man’s observation was correct and said at one time the St Barb’s Police Post opened their doors at 5am and closed  at 9pm.  He said he has since instructed the post to be opened 24 hours a day, and that the strength has since been increased.

Reporters were told that people are afraid to give information to the police and that the authorities need to do something about a witness protection programme. Another resident, Latifah Ross, of Picton, said the only interesting thing about the walkabout was seeing Chin Lee. She said she was accustomed to seeing Army and Police officials, but admitted that she felt a bit safer, even though she described the area as a crime free one. She asked Chin Lee if he could assist her with employment.  The Security Minister referred her to MP Fitzgerald Hinds. Another 55-year-old man who refused to give his name, for fear of victimisation, said of the walkabout: “This is what makes you feel sick.  They looking at small people and feel they don’t have sense.” The man, who owns a parlour in the Desperadoes Community, was highly critical of a police Inspector he accused of attempting to treat him like a criminal, after the officer saw that he was selling beers. The man said the Inspector and others came to the shop to buy  water. He suggested that the police go in the direction of the people who were bringing in guns and drugs.” The elderly man admitted that there were some delinquent children in the area, but said Chin Lee and the police need to come and talk to the people individually. “We not foolish and this (walkabout) will not change anything.  It will only intimidate the law breakers,” he said, adding that the flying of helicopter all over the place was just wasting gas and taxpayers money.