Cops move in on Laventille

SOME 320 police and soldiers will take up permanent residence in Laventille as part of Government’s latest anti-crime initiative that is aimed at eradicating gang-related violence in that area. Some of the officers have already started to occupy the Bazilon Street Community Centre, while the Beverly Hills Housing Project will also be made available to house other officers. An area near the Renegades Panyard will also be occupied by the police and soldiers.

Police Commissioner Trevor Paul held a press briefing yesterday to announce some of the latest  initiatives which he hoped would reap the desired results. He said since the beginning of the month, the officers were moved to Laventille because the area was deemed as having the most gang-related murders in the country. The commissioner is hoping that with the round-the-clock presence of the officers in Laventille, people would no longer live in fear.

ACP (Crime) Gilbert Reyes said the life expectancy of a teenaged person in Laventille was a mere 25 years. He said the intention was to preserve the lives of Laventille residents, instill a sense of comfort in that community and establish closer ties between the police and residents. Eighteen crime “hot spots” have already been identified as the areas where most of the criminal activities take place in the country. Police officers stationed in these 18 areas are expected to undergo training in an effort to deal with the lawlessness. The ACP added that since the police and army joined forces, there were 823 mobile patrols, 1,477 foot patrols, 2,695 persons and 440 vehicles searched, 40 persons arrested, 21 offences detected and five firearms seized. Four persons were also held for kidnappings.