Beetham residents get surprise visit from cops

Female officers of the Port-of-Spain Division, led by Snr Supt Errol Denoon, met yesterday with residents of Beetham Estate as part of the week of activities to mark International Women’s Day. Residents, mainly women, warmly embraced the officers and felt honoured that the officers took time off to meet them and listen to their plights.

The Beetham residents were not told of the visit by the officers and thought that the arrival of the police in the area was part of an exercise. They were surprised by the presence of the officers, and called on the police to conduct similar visits on a monthly basis. The female residents of Beetham complained that their children continued to be sidelined when applying for jobs whenever they give their addresses as Beetham Gardens, or Beetham Estate.

Other women claimed that they continued to be victims of domestic violence, and were unable to take care of their families because the fathers of their children could not be found. Denoon, acting ASP Julie Carrington and other officers gave sound advice to the women, advising them on ways and means to improve their lives and, at the same time, be law abiding citizens. Teenagers were counselled on the importance of abstinence and receiving a sound education to ensure they secured jobs to take them out of poverty. Some residents were also provided with hampers.