Human derelicts in festering slum

THE EDITOR: It is appalling. In the veritable Carib heart of Arima a number of unsolved murders have taken place. In an area, just a few blocks square, six murders have taken place and to date no one is close to solving them. What is the reason? Sorzano Street which is the street most often named in the news report, from King Street corner is just about 100 yards in length going west, and at the northern end De Gannes Street at the area affected is about 200 yards. In that area, right in the middle is that dump, that repulsive sight, Jones Town, the most sordid, festering slum you will ever see.

It is alleged that a certain citizen of our old and esteemed borough lives in the vicinity and according to the report of one area resident, when he wants to vent his spleen he does so by firing off a volley of shots in the air. It is reported that the only time police are seen in the area is when the drug dealers are slow in paying their measly pittance for protection fees. It is however a place well known to the several human derelicts who flood the area in quest of their holy grail. Anything that is not nailed down is not safe as these criminals will take it to the dealers in hopeful expectation that it will fetch them a shot of their drug.

The basketball court located in the playground on De Gannes Street is a favourite place for the drug dealers after 10 pm and it is reported that two murders took place at that spot. What is happening is leaving a sour taste in the mouths of residents of the area who have been robbed of their valuables by the drug driven maniacs who lurk in the area. At the cemetery it is said that an unfortunate man was murdered, and again the speculation is that it was another drug trading that took a nasty turn. The saddest thing is that all of this is taking place under the nose of a former senior police officer. One question keeps buzzing in my mind: “How many more must die Mr Commissioner of Police? How many more?”

GEORGE DAMIEN
Arima