Licensing officers put the brakes on Hauliers’ crime protest

The drivers, who were merely protesting against the crime situation, were taken into the Licensing Office where they were lined up for inspection. General Secretary of the Hauliers Association, Curtis Seepersad, told Newsday it was strange that the officers would pull over the trucks, as the protest, which has been carried out from the beginning of the week, never drew action from the officers. "We pass in front of the Licensing Office every day and they never stop us, so why now?" he asked.

However, Seepersad said he heard rumours that the blowing of the truck horns were the cause of the controversy, but he was not able to confirm the rumour.

Participants in the rally, which had more than 250 trucks, drove around with headlights on and with red flags tied to the mirrors of the trucks. The trucks were scheduled to circle several meeting points, including the Bird Sanctuary, the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Piarco Airport and the Port Authority. Disgruntled drivers said yesterday’s protest was made known by the Hauliers Association, and they were surprised to be pulled over by the officers. One driver who preferred to remain anonymous said all the trucks had already been checked for the year, and the truckers were not being told why they were stopped and made to line up for hours. The driver said he was saddened that a protest against crime made them seem like criminals, as it would seem that every time a group stood up for their rights, the group was always wrong.

When Newsday visited the Licensing Office, Transport Commissioner Nathaniel Douglas was not available for comment.