Residents: St Augustine is now a ‘crime den’

RESIDENTS in and around Francis and Smart streets in St Augustine have deemed the area a “crime den” in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of acting Insp Edward Williams, bodyguard of former President ANR Robinson. “For years we have had muggings, robberies, rapes and other crimes in this area, but when we report it the police never come.

“The situation has become so bad that residents only report crimes now, when their cell phones are taken because the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) requires a report at the nearest police station before they can replace the machine. Other than that, the only time we see police here is when President Richards visits his hairdresser. “There are young, unemployed men, who constantly lurk around the dark, lonely, dismal streets and when you report it, the police either do not take your report or take it and do not investigate.

“A situation like what happened with the inspector could have been avoided because most likely the three men involved in the shooting could possibly be some of the men who normally hang out in the area.” acting Insp Williams was shot dead on Tuesday night while providing security for former President Robinson, who was attending a dinner party at the home of Dr Majorie Thorpe, at the corner of Francis and Smart Streets. Williams, 54, who was holding on for two weeks for a vacationing officer,  was shot five times in his head, back, leg, buttocks and hand by bullets from a .38 revolver. When contacted, St Joseph police denied having many reports of crime in the area. Senior cops confirmed that acting Insp Williams will be buried on Monday at the Catherdral of Immaculate Conception, PoS under full military rites.