Angry response to city murders

One day after the bold execution of a man on the Brian Lara Promenade by a gang of marauding killers, angry citizens and organisations, including commercial and banking associations, were reacting to the inability of the police to deal with the criminals who are terrorising the nation. The Bankers Association some of whose members — Republic, RBTT, Scotia and FCB — were within mere metres of Thursday’s midday execution, insisted that Government must do everything to prevent the continuing escalation. Even as rage increased at the rising level of crime in the heart of the city, another shootout occurred at City Gate where a policeman was fired at by robbers.

And while Minister of National Security, Martin Joseph was telling reporters that he was “discharging” his duties as “best he could” and refusing to answer questions as to whether he should resign, prison authorities were shutting down several streets near the jail, in a simulated exercise that many dismissed as pure public relations. Fitzgerald Hinds, Junior Minister of National Security, who was present for the exercise, refused to comment on escalating city crime and referred reporters to ACP Gilbert Reyes (Crime). Yesterday police locked down several areas of Laventille — Africa, Quarry Street and Siparia Hill as well as Beverly Hills, Canada and John John — as the hunt continued for gang members. According to reports, an additional 175 policemen and soldiers joined forces with the 450 policemen and soldiers who have been positioned in Laventille for several weeks.

In result of the heavy police patrols in Laventille the criminals have moved elsewhere, a police source said. Yesterday the hot spot areas saw a heavy presence of officers holding positions on almost every street. Six men were arrested yesterday bringing the total of those in cutody since Thursday to 21. They are being questioned by police, and so far six men have been charged with murder. Eyewitnesses said that hours before the promenade shooting, gang members were seen moving from City Gate and taking up positions against buildings on Independence Square in full view of a Police Mobile Unit.

Police investigating the second death on Thursday afternoon, of Aaron Brown, 24, in the Tokyo panyard said Brown was a menace and was wanted for several murders in Laventille. He also had convictions for robbery and firearm offences. He was a prime suspect in the recent shooting of Abidah Mc Carthy, 2, who was in a car being driven by her mother when she was shot in the chest. Abidah’s father, Ricardo Mc Carthy, was the father of Oba James who was the man shot dead on the Brian Lara Promenade on Thursday. Brown was said to be a URP worker with close links to a man known only as “Crock.” Police investigations have been hampered, a source said, by the reluctance of eyewitnesses to give evidence in both shootings. John John residents told Newsday they feared for their lives. They said that jobs in the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) were linked to the killings.