Laventille under blimp watch
Gang related kill-ings and shootings in Laventille and certain parts of Diego Martin and Petit Valley, yesterday prompted officers of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) to carry out special surveillance duties in those areas. From as early as 8.30 am, the SAUTT officers comprising Defence Force personnel and police officers, were seen gazing down at areas considered hot spot crime areas in Diego Martin and Laventille. The surveillance carried out yesterday was the second since the blimp was purchased by Government at a cost of $26 million. Officers carried out two test runs to test the capability of the blimp, and are now seriously engaged in surveillance activities. The officers assigned duties aboard the blimp have been passing on key information to officers of the new Intelligence Unit led by ACP James Philbert. Yesterday, the officers aboard the blimp spent more than one hour hovering over Laventille. This prompted mixed response from residents of the area. Some felt that the blimp was a waste of a purchase by Government, while others viewed it as an invasion of privacy. Some children seemed astonished by the sight of the blimp and described it as a big balloon. Minister of National Security Senator Martin Joseph said yesterday that he preferred not to comment on the activities of the blimp. Questioned by Sunday Newsday as to the effectiveness of the spyship, the Minister reiterated that he preferred not to comment. The special equipment aboard the blimp which consists of infrared gyroscopic cameras, can record perfectly conversations on mobile phones. Sunday Newsday learnt that the blimp will be heavily utilised at hot spot crime areas. Sources revealed that Laventille and certain parts of Diego Martin have already been identified as the areas where the blimp will carry out surveillance duties. It will also be used during the carnival season. According to SAUTT sources, officers at SAUTT have been trained to operate the special equipment aboard the blimp and they believe that they will soon make a major dent in gun smuggling as a result of key information obtained. The blimp is stored at Cumuto where a SAUTT office is located. Some blimps can carry a crew of 12 and can patrol the skies for about 16 hours per day.
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"Laventille under blimp watch"