According to reports, the vault was secured on Friday by a senior manager. Yesterday at about 7 am, a security guard arrived for duty and discovered a hole in the back of the building. When he made further checks, the guard also discovered the vault located on the eastern side of the building, had been cut open.

Arima police were alerted and ACP Radcliffe Boxill, Inspector Birch, Sgt Thomas and others went to the credit union. Fingerprint experts were also called to the scene and Newsday understands that the burglars may have feared detection which is why they decided to leave immediately after cutting into the compartment of the vault with contained the $443,000.

Yesterday, the $600,000 was removed from the vault and placed elsewhere for safekeeping. Police sources said yesterday that they are working on several leads and believe that arrests are imminent.

Well-placed sources said that investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the burglary was done with information provided by someone working in the credit union.

But nothing seems to be working, so I might as well give it a go myself.

That was my thought processes anyway, particularly since, notwithstanding all the new criminal legislation passed in Parliament — stiffer penalties, changing of National Security Ministers, and even changing of governments — there still hasn’t been any abatement in the crime situation.

Rather, what we have continued to witness over the years is a rising crime rate with even more brutal and senseless murders, including the recent killing of a 13-year-old boy and his caregiver, and the abuse of a 22-monthold baby. Not even our churches have been spared, with Fr Clyde Harvey being robbed and tiedup, barely escaping death himself.

And then came reports of a 30-year-old Chaguanas man being charged with committing sexual offences against a six-yearold boy at a popular church.

Well, in my search for answers, I very deliberately viewed the recent sitting of the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee on National Security, as all the national security “top brass” were either present or well represented.

Certainly, therefore, the answers to this crime epidemic would be flushed out by these well paid and respected professionals, and sure enough before long there were answers.

Originating from a two-part question posed by the committee’s chairman, Fitzgerald Hinds, each representative casually conceded that insufficient earnest, energy and effort were being placed by their organisations into the “gun trade epidemic” facing TT . Further, they noted their inability to vouch for the integrity of their officers.

While this casual and complacent acknowledgement of the sad state of affairs was mind-blowing, making me wonder if they or their families live here or are affected by the crime situation, it also elucidated some key solutions.

That is, the clear need for not just suitably qualified people at the helm of these key national security agencies, but managers who are anxious, result-oriented and committed to ensuring that their officers, charged with our safety and security, understand the importance of providing the required earnest energy and effort if there is to be any abatement in the current crime situation, along with the routine and random “integrity test” (polygraph) as suggested by the chairman.

ANDRE PHILLIP via email

Laying the current demise at the feet of Cricket West Indies, Rowley said nothing proactive was being done to salvage the situation but rather, administrators were simply hoping for a “miracle” in order to turn things around.

“My perspective is that West Indies cricket is in dire trouble, in crisis, and if we are not careful, something is likely to happen in the not too distant future even though it is not being spoken about now,” Rowley told I-Sports radio programme at the weekend.

“I don’t know that the ICC (International Cricket Council) will continue to put this sub-standard West Indies team to play against the top five or six teams going forward into many more years.

“What I am frighten of is that somewhere in the not too distant future common sense will prevail at the ICC and they will create some kind of a premier league and a second division and West Indies cricket will end up in the second division because of the standard we are displaying and we will end up playing cricket against Ireland, Scotland, Kenya and Afghanistan and that is where we’re headed.” Rowley was speaking against the backdrop of the CARICOM Head of Government summit in Grenada last week when West Indies cricket emerged as one of the hot topics.

CARICOM chairman, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, used his opening speech to outline the challenges facing the sport regionally and to urge fellow leaders to find consensus on the way forward.

Rowley agreed with Mitchell that CARICOM had a vital role to play in helping to overhaul the sport especially since CWI seemed unable to find solutions to the current crisis.

“They believe that some miracle will take place and some superstar like Brian Lara or Andy Roberts will appear from the crowd and pull us back from this brink,” Rowley said candidly.

“But in the meantime we are handling large sums of money from the ICC, unearned money, and those monies are used to strengthen people who are in office, who literally dominate the game, not on the field but in their boardrooms.” The debate over West Indies cricket also appears to have caused a rift in CARICOM with Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne openly disagreeing with the regional nation grouping’s position on the “immediate dissolution” of CWI.

In a statement last week, Browne said: “Antigua and Barbuda as a matter of principle does not interfere in the internal affairs of institutions, and governments that are governed by democratically elected officials.” But in dismissing that argument, Rowley said Browne seemed to have “anchored his position on some discussion about democracy.” “We here in Trinidad and Tobago know that does not apply and that’s what in the court in Trinidad about the absence of democracy in the selection of leadership,” Rowley stressed.

He, however, conceded there was disunity among CARICOM on the contentious topic.

“I think there is tremendous confusion about the way forward,” said Rowley.

“What is happening at the level of heads at CARICOM should make it clear to the other people that the game is now and the management and the situation is threatening to destroy CARICOM itself.” (CMC)

Jesten Superville appeared before Ag Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle charged with being in possession $2,500 on July 1, at Picton Road in Laventille. The money represented proceeds of a ransom paid for the release of Laing.

The charge was laid indictably so Superville was not called on to enter a plea. In objecting to bail, court prosecutor Insp Wayne Mohammed said Superville has a prior conviction in 2007 and pending matters dating back to March of this year. He also indicated that investigations into the kidnapping are ongoing.

In her ruling, Earle-Caddle indicated that she viewed the pending matters to be of a serious nature and was denying bail. She however advised Superville of his right to apply to a judge in Chambers for bail.

At present the prosecution has eight potential witnesses and this number could increase as investigations continue. Superville is represented by attorney Criston J Williams and will return to court on August 7.

Superville was charged on Saturday, a day after a High Court judge ordered the police to lay a charge or release him. He was one of two people who filed writs of habeas corpus in the High Court to force the police to justify their continued detention. In an order following the hour long hearing, Justice Ricky Rahim said while he was satisfied that the continued detention of the two was not unlawful, if no charges are laid against either man by 11.30 am Saturday, they are to be released from police custody.

The other man was released on Saturday while two others were released on July 1.

Laing, 53, owner of Puff n’ Stuff chain of bakeries was snatched from outside his San Fernando branch around 3 am on Thursday June 29. Relatives were contacted by a kidnapper who demanded $270,000 for his safe return. Relatives first went to Phase 1 in Beetham and paid $30,000 to kidnappers and shortly before 5 pm that day, they paid $240,000 in Barataria. Laing was released hours later.

On July 1, a joint team of police officers swooped down on Alicia’s Guest House, located on Lady Chancellor Hill, surrounded two rooms and detained three of seven suspects in Laing’s kidnapping. Officers searched two rooms and detained the three suspects who were in possession of cash, cell phones and other valuables.

All seven suspects were taken to different police stations and were being questioned by a joint team of police officers.

The arrest of the seven suspects came after hours of surveillance following Laing’s release on Thursday afternoon

The incident which was video recorded and uploaded to social media shows boys punching and stabbing a teen at Fiesta Plaza in the MovieTowne compound.

The two teens appeared before Magistrate Rehana Ali in the Third Court charged with the malicious wounding of the teen.

The charges were read aloud by PC Bart of the Western Division.

The boys pleaded not guilty and Magistrate Ali granted bail in the sum of $10,000 to each accused.

According to reports, the accused, both of St James were arrested while attempting to board a taxi shortly after the stabbing incident on Saturday night. Newsday spoke to the victim’s grandfather who attended the court hearing.

He urged youths to find a more constructive, lawful outlet for their energies over the July-August vacation and not be led astray by negative influences.

“Try to get involved in camps and different clubs or groups. Leave all of this fighting and gang foolishness alone please. I was speaking to one of the officers who responded and he told me that if my grandson was stabbed a little higher, he would have been dead. I don’t want that for any child.” According to police sources, one of the accused boys has pending charges for breaking and entering, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

Shaquille Rogers also called ‘Reddo,’ 24, appeared yesterday before Ag Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle in the Port of Spain Eighth Court.

Rogers was charged by police after advice was received from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard, SC, on Sunday. Sooknanan, 20, of Chandoo Lane, El Socorro, was found dead May 16, along Duncan Street in Port of Spain, with gunshot wounds to his head and neck.

Rogers was charged by PC Stephen Ramsawak of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region 1).

Minister Gopee- Scoon said the TIC provides an excellent opportunity for companies and entrepreneurs to assess feedback from clients, determine market potential, conduct research and also evaluate competition.

“The Government is committed to restore growth and facilitate the diversification of the economy of our twin-island state. Our well-developed manufacturing sector has been cited as an area of strength, and, if properly harnessed and incentivized, will enable us to achieve our development objectives.” She highlighted the importance of trading across borders to achieve the country’s sustainable goals and stated that the Government is developing several initiatives to increase market access for domestic goods and services under bilateral and regional trade agreements.

She reiterated that a healthy and vibrant region would be very good for business.

Minister Gopee- Scoon assured the audience that, “A tremendous amount of activity is taking place behind the scenes to open markets and create opportunities for our non-energy exporters in particular, and I firmly encourage our domestic private sector to make full use of these opportunities in the development and execution of your business plans.” The importance of the 4th industrial revolution featured prominently with the private sector urged to be aware of technological changes, be innovative and to incorporate cutting- edge technology in their manufacturing processes.

The Minister also stated that work was ongoing with CARICOM partners to develop a Regional Policy for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It was noted that a healthy and vibrant region is good for business, and important if Trinidad and Tobago firms are to gain a secure foundation from which they can then expand to the rest of the world.

Addressing the audience also were Christopher Alcazar, President of the TT Manufacturers Association; and TIC 2017 sponsors Ambassador Brian Lara representing Telecommunications Services (TSTT); Karen Darbasie, Group Chief Executive Office, First Citizens Bank and Rakesh Goswami¸ Executive Vice President of Strategic Alliance, Enterprise and Tobago Operations in TST

Being the second time she has been fired does not make it easier to accept.

We are all led to believe that her decision to be photographed next to President Anthony Carmona with a so-called “community leader,” Cedric “Burkie” Burke, was the reason for her dismissal. I wonder if he was a so-called “close male relative” if the Prime Minister would have acted differently?

THELMA JOSEPH La Brea

Stewart arrived in England on Sunday and is looking to make a big impact at the Championships, which is the second biggest event after the Paralympics, but only consists of track and field events.

Stewart said this is his second time participating in the Games and will be vying for honours in the shot put, javelin and discus.

Although he has trained hard for each event, he is expecting major success in the shot put.

“My expectation for this game is to break the shot put record __ that is definitely the event I’m focusing on because it’s the first time I’m doing it at the international level as a Para-athlete.

“I believe my effort will make me return with multiple medals.

“I feel certain to bring gold in the shot put event but I can’t say what other colours I will bring in the other events.” Stewart, who bagged two medals at the Paralympics – gold and silver – said he has not had the best of preparation but has made the best of the circumstances.

“I haven’t been getting much competition or training home because the stadium was closed for two months before I left to travel to London, and it was a bit tough on me.

I don’t want to say that would be something that would hamper my performance but on the day of competition, I’m going out to do my best.” Stewart will be without his coach Wade Franklyn as he will be heading to the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas with CARIFTA U-17 javelin record holder Tyriq Horsford.

Stewart, still disappointed about the lack of support from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) after winning gold and breaking the world record twice in one night at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, hopes another gold medal and record will change that.

“I thought after my performance in Rio things would have been better for me this year but I guess I was dreaming.

“Things did not happen the way I hoped for it to happen when I returned after bringing home a gold medal for my country because training equipment and training facilities were not offered.

“I was not told, ‘Akeem you will get all you need so we want to see you continue to perform’.

Things was not like that, all the expenses, I covered them on my own.

“I had to spend my money for physiotherapy, I guess it’s all a part of this game and I can’t complain because when I do, they’ll say I’m complaining too much.

“I am an athlete and I’m sacrificing so much, I should have expectations of something coming to benefit and support me.

I will continue to prove that I am a consistent person because anything I set my mind to I can accomplish it. I know I have a lot to prove this year. Although I know my efforts will not make a change, I’m hoping for one.” He, however, did express gratitude to Peter Granville, Supervisor in the Division of Sport, for some assistance towards helping him get ready for the Championships

AS I continue to navigate the many corners of life, I am discovering more and more that I live in an elevator, as the variations of the ups and downs of life always stare me in the face on a daily basis.

The key to successful living is having an acute understanding of life and people, as these are the critical elements necessary in keeping the wheel turning. Because of the high levels of diversity that life offers, it is difficult or even impossible to navigate on the very same routes each and every moment without being distracted by challenges of one kind or another.

You may escalate to new heights today but tomorrow you may be at rock bottom, some people may join you for the entire ride and for others, you may need to stop to and let them off. When people enter your elevator you first need to conduct an initial scan of the environment to assist in determining their motive for entering in the first place.

It may seem like a lot of work to do, but experience has shown the importance of scanning.

Managing your elevator requires a lot of doing particularly if it reaches a point where those you’ve allowed to enter, start pushing your buttons out of sync and not according to your direction.

They are labelled as button-pushers and are found mostly in the workplace. Recognising their inability to control, they begin to spread rumours and continuously engage in negative spewing hoping that you would become despondent and create delays in reaching your destination.

Their aim is to plant seeds of discord between you and valuable people in your life.Dealing with button- pushers requires you to commit to acquiring an in-depth understanding of emotional intelligence which is your ability to control your emotional responses when people press your buttons incorrectly and/or without notice.

Start with self-awareness which tests your ability to identify your own triggers, understand why you have them and where they emerged from. You also need to question what is it that other people do that causes knee-jerk response.

Next, is social awareness which pushes you in becoming aware of how your actions and behaviours affect those around you. Managing your relationships is also important to the mix as you must consider other people’s feelings particularly when making decisions.

Your elevator of life is extremely important and can only be controlled by you and you only through the grace of the almighty.

Sandrine Rattan is a communications/ branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN) Contact: thecorporatesuitett@ gmail.com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or contact 283-0318.