Businessmen call for army, police patrols

Hardware Dealers Cooperative Society President, Eric Bhagwansingh, said he is hoping the Government and the Police Service will do more to protect the business community. “They are kidnapping anybody, and I am concerned about my children and the members of the cooperative. The Government should put out more of the protective services because they have the manpower and the vehicles,” he told Newsday. Bhagwansingh said some  business owners have put out a lot of money to protect their homes and businesses. “Officers need to come out of the station and patrol. They need to get out of their cars and speak to business people! This will make us feel comfortable and deter kidnappers.”

The business owner added that he had spent 29 years as a police officer and felt that patrols are needed with the army, and Government should offer more assistance to the business community. “We as business owners are the ones who are up keeping the citizens of this country, and we employ them, and we are paying $10 minimum wage.” He continued, “We don’t know who they will kidnap next. I am not afraid, but I am concerned.” “This generation here also has no guidance or parental training.” Chaguanas Mayor Suruj Rattan Rambachan said that Central businessmen were targetted, especially this year.

“The Government has no excuse and neither does the Commissioner of Police.” Rambachan said the Chaguanas borough needed more joint police and army patrols with a helicopter to deter kidnappers. “There are people moving away from the Laventille and Morvant area when you lock down those places.” He said Central business owners were extremely worried as some have received calls for protection money from kidnappers. “That is extortion and we are holding a vigil on Thursday night to show unity for the three families whose members  were kidnapped this month.” A deportee from the Laventille area told Newsday the media is labelling deportees as potential kidnappers, without proof. “They cannot substantiate that! We are labelled and so far, me and my people are walking the straight line.”