Minister: More police patrols in place

MEMBER OF Parliament for Arouca South Camille Robinson-Regis said yesterday that in-creased police patrols have been instituted in the Carapo Village in Arima where residents are living in fear because of the high number of rapes in the area. Robinson-Regis, who is also Minister of Planning and Devel-opment, was in Washington DC when protest action broke out in the sleepy Carapo Village earlier this month about rapists that were on the loose and targetting the women folk in the village. The Minister said although she was abroad, she was kept abreast of the developments in her constituency. She said she spoke with acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul on April 8 concerning the reports.

“We have done our part. We have organised a meeting to talk with the residents. There was a meeting, but the residents did not come out. We have increased police patrols in the area. Although I was away, I sent a representative who reported that very few residents were prepared to talk about the rapes.” Robinson-Regis told Newsday that her investigations revealed there were 15 reports of rape between January and March this year. The police, she added, arrested persons in 11 of the reports. There were six victims involved in the 15 reports, she added. The Minister pointed out that there have been no arrests as yet with respect to two of the victims.

The Minister said although protest action increased in the Carapo area this month, she revealed there were no reports of rape for the month of April. “My concern is that the villagers have not been totally honest, but as Member of Parliament, I have to ensure that my constituents are safe. It is interesting to find out why the residents are acting up right now,” Robinson-Regis added. Newsday learned that one of the suspects lives in the same area where the rapes occurred. The residents have been protesting the high number of rapes in the area.

Their last protest took place last Friday outside the Santa Rosa Racing facility at Arima where world record holder Brian Lara and members of the West Indies and English cricket teams were expected. Women, men and children carried on a noisy protest in the presence of hundreds of racing fans. Khadijah Ameen, UNC Council-lor for South Carapo, said there were 20 rapes in the village, but a number of the victims were scared to report it. She said she has been trying to reach the MP for the area, but she had been unsuccessful. Yesterday, Robinson-Regis said there was no record of Ameen trying to contact her during the protest action. Ameen said the police headed by Senior Supt Rodvan Bastien, have been very helpful with the increased patrols in the area.