URP members give up guns, ammo to police

A MEMBER of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad heaped praise on the Unemployment Relief Programme and its involvement in having URP workers of Bellevue, Long Circular, St James, turn in two guns with ammunition, yesterday. The community was also commended for its stance and its plan to continue to support and work with the police by providing more information. The URP programme itself received similar accolades. Based on information received from Bellvue residents, members of the AKS searched an area a short distance from the Bellvue Community Centre where they found a Calico fully-automatic rifle with two cartridges and a .38 Spanish-made Itama revolver with one bullet in its chamber and four other live shells.

“We want to personally commend the residents of the area who have decided to work with the police following the provision of jobs via the URP and the other initiatives planned by the Government for the youths of the area,” Inspector Adam Joseph told Newsday. “Residents have claimed that the projects that are now in their area are having a positive effect on the youths and they are determined to turn away from a life of crime, and are also resolved to enhancing the outlook of the community. “They also claim that they now intend to work with the police and other law enforcement agencies. “It is along this background that this information was passed on to us and we were able to recover these weapons. “We also want to praise the URP for its involvement in the area.” Insp Adams ended his statement by saying he hoped other communities would follow suit.