The minister continued, “Within our murder rate,there is a strong nexus between the use of illegal guns and our murder rate.” Explaining there is also a nexus between illegal guns and other crimes such as human trafficking, Dillon said that growing up in Point Fortin, “we have had the movement of goods and services” through the community over time. However he noted, “what has happened over time is that the commodity has changed to a large extent.”

Dillon, who is also Point Fortin MP, added, “The commodity has changed from what used to be in those days…a little bottle of scotch here…some groceries there…to arms, drugs and the illegal movement of people.” He observed that while persons in the past would get into a fist fight, “now we get into a gunfight.” He told the gathering, “That is not only for TT , it is across the region.” Dillon stressed the only way to address threats such as illegal firearms and the ever changing security landscape which faces individual countries to entire regions is through, “cooperation and collaboration.”

Dillon said this is “not only by ourselves…but we also have to rely on some of the expertise and some of the information and intelligence sharing from our international partners.” Recalling that national points of contact featured prominently in Caricom’s security framework for hosting major events such as the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2009, Dillon said, “There is no point having a national point of contact if you are locked in to your own environment. None of us is stronger than all of us.”

” Notwithstanding the country’s crime problem, he welcomed the delegates at the workshop which ended yesterday, “to what we consider still the paradise islands of TT .” Meanwhile, in a statement, Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan asked, “What kind of intelligence gathering is the police engaged in through partnering with communities along the coastal ports that are not guarded where illegal entry is attained?” According to Rambachan, “Residents speak in ‘hush hush’ tones in areas like Moruga, Otaheite, Orange Valley, Cedros, Carli Bay and elsewhere, about nocturnal activities.”

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar claimed last week in a statement that Government was engaging in public relations and was clueless in addressing crime in TT .

Yesterday, the country’s murder toll for the year reached to 40. Speaking with Newsday following the opening of a Caricom IMPACS workshop at the Hilton Trinidad, Dillon countered “It is never about public relations at all.” The minister explained that when the news conference was held last week, “it was to assure the population…

to give them a sense of security that the agencies of national security are working together…cooperating and collaborating.” Dillon continued, “The idea is that once we look at the national security environment and it is dynamic. It is never a static environment. One always has to review strategies based on what is emerging.” He said a juncture was reached where an analysis of strategies was done to determine,”are we doing what’s good, are we are doing what is necessary? Dillon added, “Now we have structurally aligned it in a certain way that there are four direct pillars…in terms of the intelligence aspect..the deterrence aspect….the detection…

the prosecution.” The minister stated that this approach provides, “a better understanding of utilising both your tools and resources” to address the issue of crime in relation to each of these pillars.

He could not say however if the location-based app would be suspending its services in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) until it is fully-compliant with all of the country’s taxi and financial regulations.

“It seems that somewhere along the line, somebody did not advise Uber about a lot of the things that they should be concerned about.

A lot of questions we asked this morning (Tuesday) seemed to be new to Uber but they’ve committed to follow-up and to supply our legal team with the information that is required.” Sinanan also told Newsday that Attorney General (AG) Faris Al Rawi informed Uber’s two local and two foreign representatives about the relevant tax laws “because this is a business earning revenue.” “The AG was quite accurate in pointing out the company laws, how we operate in TT, how we reimburse taxes and so forth. I think they have a lot of information now to supply to the AG’s Office. We’ll take it from there.” Sinanan was speaking with Newsday yesterday following a meeting with Uber’s local and foreign representatives, Al Rawi, Transport Commissioner Wayne Richards, and a senior police officer who was there on behalf of Acting Police Commissioner, Stephen Williams.

That meeting, held to discuss the legality of Uber’s TT operations under this country’s existing laws, took place at the ministry’s head office on Richmond Street, Port-of-Spain. It began at about 10 am yesterday and ended a little after 11.30 am. When asked if Uber would be allowed to continue operating while it gathers the requested information, Sinanan said while it is up to the company to decide what it wants to do, Uber has been advised that they are “virtually breaking the law.” “We pointed that out to them and said we are not in a position to give anybody a grace period to break the law…I don’t know if Uber is going to, after this meeting, recognise that they are breaking the laws of TT and suspend their services until they are in compliance. I don’t know if they are going to do that but I expect that the police and Licensing Division; who were present and who know what is going on, will do what should be done,” Sinanan declared.

According to a statement of election expenses issued by the Elections and Boundaries Commission, the largest sum of money expended by any candidate in last November’s election was $25,000.

However according to the EBC’s statement, this sum was not connected to one candidate but cut across party lines.

The candidates spending $25,000 were Aaron Mohammed (PNM; Claxton Bay/ Pointe-a-Pierre, Couva/Tabaquite/ Talparo Regional Corporation); Catherine Mendez (PNM; St Lucien/Cameron Hill, Diego Martin Regional Corporation); Marsha Jaimungal- Khan (UNC; Debe East/L’Esperance/Union Hall, Penal/Debe Corporation); Anil Juteram (UNC; Vega De Oropouche, Sangre Grande Regional Corporation); Ravi Lakhan (NSA; Vega De Oropouche, Sangre Grande Regional Corporation); Nirmal Singh ( UNC; Cumuto/Tamana, Sangre Grande Regional Corporation).

Mendez is the deputy chairperson of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation.

The lowest expenditure by any candidate in the elections was $0. That distinction belonged to Kwesi Junior Antoine of the PNM who contested the Caledonia /Upper Malick district in the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation.

The PNM won the local government polls, retaining seven of the 14 local government corporations it won in 2013. The UNC retained the six corporations it won in the 2013 polls.

Both parties tied in the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation, with the PNM eventually retaining control of that corporation.

“The shooting makes it clear that our country is on a downward spiral to lawlessness and criminals are so convinced that they are untouchable by law enforcement that they are emboldened into criminal activities in and around the houses of the law.

This situation must be brought under control now or our country could find itself facing a loss of citizenry not just to crime but to those fleeing the country in search of safer shores,” the release stated.

The release added that with the current state of the economy already undermined by oil money losses TT cannot afford to have crime and criminals so undermine society that its greatest asset, the people, are lost. “We certainly can ill afford to have businesses closing down because of fear of criminality, thus forcing more job losses and less expendable income for people to buy their basic needs.” The CCIC emphasised its deep dissatisaction at the manner in which the country’s crime situation is being managed and called for Government to place cameras along the roads of the Chaguanas borough and indeed along all roads, both primary and secondary as such equipment help in crime detection. “We are forced to question if the failure to introduce these cameras is indicative of a lack of commitment to ending the widespread criminality stalking our land.

And we expect that these cameras will not exist in a vacuum – they must be manned by trained personnel and linked to a network of police and law enforcement agencies so that there is some proactivity in the measure.

We MUST make greater use of the technology but technology is only as good as its handlers and so we urge better training for officers in handling expensive and sophisticated additions to the technological warfare on crime,” the Chamber said.

On the issue of the Government’s plans to set up a DNA Bank, the Chamber welcomed this initiative but wondered how the information will be used and how confidential said information will be kept. “We are convinced that the illegal possession of firearms is one of the principal causes of the prevailing criminality in Trinidad and Tobago and we would wish to see drastic steps taken to stop the widespread inflow of these arms and ammunition.” The Chamber said it was “well aware” of rogue elements in the protective service and it is time these elements be rooted out so that honest and committed men and women responsible for protection of the country can carry out their job in the best interest of all.

He also threatened to “bomb up” all police stations in the country.

The person who took the call immediately alerted senior officers who in turn informed Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.

Head of the TT Defence Force Brig Gen Rodney Smart as well as Chief Fire Officer Roosevelt Bruce and other heads of security agencies were informed of the phoned in threat. A decision was then taken to beef-up patrols in and around the cottage where the President and his family reside and security was also increased at all police stations.

This continued all of Sunday. On Monday morning, the head of Special Branch Ag Snr Supt Austin Lee along with other officers from Special Branch met with Carmona at the Office of the President and briefed him about the threat as additional security measures to be put in place.

Newsday understands that during the meeting, the President was also advised that security will be provided for his wife and children.

He was also advised to alert his children who attend public schools that they should also exercise the necessary precaution.

Yesterday, police sources told Newsday that due to the recent incident where two murders took place outside the Maracas police station and two men were shot outside the Chaguanas police station, a decision was also taken to deal with this threat seriously.

A senior officer said yesterday that the police service remains on high alert and they will continue to be on this alert until the call is traced.

On Sunday, attempts were made to trace the call with no success and police believed that the person who made the call used some type of new technology making it difficult to be traced.

However, the senior officer said seeking outside assistance and using new technology to trace the call they will be doing so.

Yesterday, Newsday contacted communications advisor Theron Boodan at President’s Office who said, “yes, we acknowledge that we have received such information from the police and I am also acknowledging his Excellency the President met with the police and I understand certain security measures are to be put in place. The president is taking this threat very seriously not only for him but for members of his family.” Newsday attempted to reach Snr Supt Lee for comment but calls to his cell phone went unanswered. However, senior police sources told Newsday that members of the National Security Council were also advised of the threat and all police divisional commanders were given instruction to beef up security in and around all police stations throughout the country

“She cannot mentally handle being in a cell,” said a relative of Marshall. “In this kind of situation, no one knows what might make her trigger and she could hurt herself.

She needs her medication.” On Saturday last, screams were heard at Marshall’s Fifth Street Extension home in Oropune Gardens, Arouca. When relatives rushed to see what happened, they found Marshall bleeding from a knife wound to his neck and his 26-year-old female relative standing nearby with a bloody knife.

Police detained the woman and according to relatives, carried her first to Arima Hospital then to a cell at the Arima Police Station, where she is being held.

On Monday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James, relatives told reporters that the woman has a history of mental illness but never showed violent tendencies until Saturday when Marshall was stabbed and killed.

They added that when relatives entered the room where Marshall was stabbed, the female relative seemed “spaced out” as she held the murder weapon.

“She (the woman) would mostly go nights without sleeping, but she had different symptoms,” said a relative of the slain man. “It is a complicated sickness.

We never took her to St Ann’s, but we took her to private institutions.” Newsday understands that the woman worked at a bakery in Arima. She was working and functioning normally for the entire week prior to the stabbing incident. Relatives said they bear no malice against the woman for the stabbing. Investigations are continuing.

In the boys singles Under-13 finals, number one seed Travis Sinanan rolled over the number two seed James Babwah 21-12, 21- 1.

Sinanan and Babwah were again pitted against each other, this time in the mixed doubles U-13 finals, where the duo of Sinanan and Sonja Cassie (CBAC) defeated the partnership of Babwah and Amara Joachim (Southern Schools), 21-11 21-12 to be crowned champions.

In the girls singles Under-13 category, defending champion Danae Mootoosingh defeated number two seed Sonja Cassie on her way to the final 15-21, 21-16, 21-18, but stumbled at the final hurdle, going down to number one seed Amara Joachim 21-9, 21-13.

On Monday, the TT CB issued a press release titled “Cricket Uncertainty” which made the claim about the Oval incident and also stated “the car of a senior cricket official has been shot at while parked at his home”. The TT CB added that there have been attempts to hack three cricket administrators’ email accounts.

On Monday, Newsday attempted to verify the authenticity of the reports and contacted TT CB CEO Suruj Ragoonath to elaborate. The CEO, however, directed all questions to TT CB president Azim Bassarath who at the East Zonal awards, revealed the incidents to the audience and questioned whether they were coincidental or part of a “larger, sinister scenario” . Calls to Bassarath’s mobile phone went unanswered on Monday while up to press time yesterday he did not reply to an email asking whether the alleged incidents were reported to the police.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, though, Murray said he had no knowledge of any such incident taking place at the Oval.

Murray stressed though that he is making enquiries to the TT CB to get more information about the allegation and to also determine whether it was reported to the police.

The former West Indies wicketkeeper said he was at the Oval for a day/night practice match involving the national team and Queen’s Park last week and spoke to a few TT CB officials socially after the game but they did not relay any information about any untoward incident occurring at the famous cricket venue.

Murray also said he has no knowledge of the cricket official whose car was allegedly shot at, neither where the official lives nor any information whatsoever on that incident.

The young pannists had Jacana Avenue to themselves as police blocked the roadway for them to perform. This was the first time St Thomas Silver Stars played in the East Zone as leader Cummings relocated from central Trinidad.

At the Prisons Sports Club in Golden Grove, Arouca, the Prison Service Steel Orchestra was well prepared for the judges. With an array of lights focused on the players, they produced a well-balanced rendition of Iwer George’s “Nah Do Dat” with great tonal quality.

The piece was arranged by Terrence Sealy.

The judges then journeyed to Santa Cruz where arranger Robert Tobitt and Pan Jammers were anxiously awaiting their arrival to deliver Tobitt’s arrangement of 5Star Akil’s “Different Me”.

Pan Jammers is truly a community band as the villagers (including the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly) rallied around in support of the former champions The next stop was at San Juan All Stars on Second Street where the players made a statement with their performance of Atiba Joseph’s arrangement of “Johnny”. This was a bunch of exciting players and they executed the arrangement to perfection as they look to put the band back in winners’ row.

Platinum, Trinidad and Tobago’s only all-female steel orchestra was at Harmonites panyard, Morvant Junction and they performed Natasha Joseph’s arrangement of Tambu’s “This Party is It”. Although Platinum is just over a year old it is saying something with its music but the band management needs to get some more (new) instruments.

The evening came to a close in Malick, Barataria, at Potential Symphony where the reigning champions Trinidad East Side Symphony led by Jason Harewood delivered “Pan in Danger’ as arranged by Jerod Lett and Sheldon Harewood.

That brought an end to the East Zone competition and the judges will continue adjudication in North Zone tonight. Results for the competition will be announced on January 27 and the top 20 bands will move on to the final round on January 29 at the Arima Basketball Court.