Police post on Charlotte Street

A request by members of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) for a police post to be set up between Queen and Charlotte Streets, Port-of-Spain, was granted yesterday by Police Commis-sioner Trevor Paul. The post was formerly opened at 1 pm yesterday. Four uniformed officers were deployed to the post by Snr Supt Errol Denoon, the head of the Port-of-Spain Division. Victims of crimes on Charlotte Street and surrounding areas will be able to make reports to officers at the post.

It will also mean that police officers will be able to respond in a faster time to any reports of crime in the area. Yesterday, Gregory Aboud, the president of DOMA welcomed the move by the police and added that the post will serve to instil a certain amount of security in the minds of shoppers, especially at Charlotte Street. He feels that the police post should be sustained even after the Christmas season. Aboud reminded shoppers in Port-of-Spain to continuously be aware of pick pockets on the prowl.

He also advised shoppers to desist from exposing large amounts of cash and wearing expensive jewelry. On Tuesday, DOMA met with Police Commissioner Paul and expressed concerns about the expected rising crime for the Christmas season. The association requested that a 24-hour mobile unit be set up and that foot patrols be put into place. Members of the business community welcomed the police post in the area and felt that it was long overdue. Even shoppers in Port-of-Spain said that while they are still cautious when shopping in the city, they feel that the police presence will serve as a deterrent to those interested in carrying out crimes.