Senior cops in emergency crime talks

DEPUTY POLICE Commissioner, Oswyn Allard called an emergency meeting with senior superintendents from all police divisions yesterday to discuss the upsurge in crime throughout the country. The meeting was also attended by ACP Crime Gilbert Reyes and ACPs Nazamul Hosein, Randolph Protain, Michael Thomas and Curtis Lloyd. Insiders told Sunday Newsday that the meeting started at 10 am and ended at 12.30 pm. Allard spoke about the need for police officers to be more alert, to carry out more patrols and do everything in their power to eradicate crime in their divisions. Senior superintendents at the meeting were asked to institute anti-crime initiatives round the clock.

The Port-of-Spain Division, which is currently under scrutiny for an upsurge in gang-related murders, is expected to receive additional manpower and resources. The shooting deaths at the Brian Lara Promenade and John John were discussed and the shift in killings from the hills of Laventille to Port-of-Spain was also raised at the meeting. Sources said that starting from Monday, police officers and soldiers will adopt new anti-crime strategies to deal with the gang-related killings. The elders of Laventille are expected to be consulted on the matter, as well as key players in the community who are believed to have influence over gang leaders.

Dialogue is expected to take place from tomorrow in a bid to prevent a further escalation in gang-related killings in Laventille where more than five major gangs are based. Police officers told Sunday Newsday they know who the gang members are although they have been able to elude capture thus far. Yesterday, ACP Crime Gilbert Reyes said out of the 19 persons detained in connection with the deaths of Oba Jones and Aaron Brown, 16 were released and three suspects are still in custody.