Trinidad not ready for a disaster

WHAT a week it was. Except for the events of July 27, 1990, when members of the Jamaat Al Muslimeen attempted to overthrow the democratically-elected Government of then Prime Minister ANR Robinson, never has there been so much drama in one single week. Monday’s bomb blast in downtown Port-of-Spain and Wednesday’s on-and-off Tropical Storm Emily. One thing for sure emerged from both events — we are not ready for any kind of disaster, natural or unnatural. To show how unprepared we are as a people, Sunday Newsday will now analyse both events.

BOMB BLAST

From the moment word spread that a bomb exploded on Frederick Street, there were all sorts of rumours circulating. The first word was that a woman was killed and others injured and that terrorists had taken over the city. The official report was that around 2.03 pm on Monday, a green steel dust bin in front of Maraj Jewellers exploded. At the time, Frederick Street was bustling with people. One thing was certain, the security forces responded quickly. When the smoke cleared, 14 persons were injured, four seriously and they all had to be taken for treatment at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

This explosion followed four days after the terrorist attacks in London, where four bombs exploded killing 53 persons and injuring 700. Within days, the London authorities were able to pin-point suspects. They were able to do so because the country had been expecting it. In a big city like London, and especially in the underground train stations, cameras have been placed at strategic points to observe everyone entering and leaving each station. These cameras will also be able to detect when, and who leaves a package in the station. There are also frequent announcements made by the public address system concerning packages that are left unattended in the stations. In London, there are patrols by the Metropolitan Police officers and unlike long ago, they are now well armed.

The London terrorist threat was long in coming. Ever since I was in London covering the death penalty appeal in March 2004, the British authorities have been on the alert. A feature was published in Sunday Newsday on March 28, 2004, “London — a city under siege.” So, Britain is moving at seeking out who was behind that attack in London ten days ago. Back to Trinidad, the authorities are still in the dark about who did it and why. They cannot tell with certainty what type of device it was. They cannot even tell who put the device in the dust bin. There are reasons for that. With our Prime Minister wanting improved country status by the year 2020, could anyone explain to the population why there are no cameras in the city with the spiralling crime rate all around us?

The Downtown Owners Merchants Association introduced this years ago when the city was being hit by thieves. But was this the responsibility of the association? Was it the responsibility of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation, or the Central Government? One thing is certain — there was none and the person(s) responsible for planting the device which wounded innocent persons may escape without having to pay the price. The next thing is the expensive Sky Watch bought by the Government. It has been strategically placed in the wrong position. It was placed east of the Cipriani statue on Independence Square. Those who man the Sky Watch cannot see north on Frederick Street, or the busy City Gate transit hub on South Quay.

The Sky Watch is blocked by the towering Salvatori Building, and by KFC to the south. The policemen can see east and west along the Brian Lara Promenade. If the Sky Watch were placed adjoining the Cipriani statue, there was every likelihood that it would have been able to record who placed the device in the bin, and at what time. A lost opportunity.

TROPICAL STORM EMILY

When the Prime Minister gave the word on Wednesday to go home, there was a mass exodus from the city. It was not controlled. Every Government department, store, grocery and private enterprise, heeded the call to send their workers home. What did that cause? Traffic jams for hours. Persons rushing out at 12.30 pm to go home, never reached home until hours later. It was worse than the evening rush hour. Even the police officers on duty seemed at a loss. They did not know what to do. The Assistant Commissioner (Traffic) had to give the all clear for motorists to use the Priority Bus Route until midnight. The tropical storm, by its path, was unlikely to reach even close to Trinidad, but people ran to gas stations and groceries to stock up. That is something which should have been done from the time the hurricane season approached.

We got some winds and plenty rain on Thursday morning, causing severe flooding in certain areas. What would have happened if Emily had decided to pass here? The Prime Minister and his Government must now put in place some sort of evacuation plan if an emergency arises. There was a mad scramble when the bomb exploded. Many feared the worse... another coup? Thousands rushed to City Gate at the same time to get transportation when the facility was unable to handle that type of load. The week was also marred by numerous bomb threats, so much so that a prison officer was charged and is facing the courts. Let’s hope there is not another week like last week.