250 SRPs for anti-crime Christmas

The 250 Special Reserve Police officers, who recently underwent training at Piarco and Chaguaramas, were posted at various divisions throughout the country yesterday. In all police divisions, 50 SRPs were added to the regular strength of officers. The officers were given specific duties for the Christmas period. They were instructed to carry out foot and mobile patrols, surveillance duties in and around banks and business places and mingle with shoppers. In Central Division, some of the Special Reserve officers dressed in plain clothes carried out duties alongside CID officers. In the borough of Chaguanas, which attracts the most shoppers for the Christmas season, police and soldiers were seen at almost every street corner.

A party of officers led by Inspector Burt Raphael, Sgt Dennis Housend and Ag Sgt Ajith Persad led a party of officers through the streets of the borough. Special emphasis was placed on mingling with shoppers and offering advice about exposing large sums of money and walking around with hand bags with long strap handles. Police officers told Newsday that every Christmas period, persons armed with sharpened knives and scissors slash bags belonging to unsuspecting shoppers. Coupled with that, car thieves also carry out a brisk trade. Senior officers told Newsday that with the heavy presence of the police and soldiers in all divisions, it is hoped that the incidence of crime will be reduced. In Port-of-Spain, officers of the Port-of-Spain CID, the Guard and Emergency Branch, Mounted Branch and Court and Process also carried out patrols. Members of the business community welcomed the visible presence of the police and soldiers and also welcomed the added strength of the Special Reserve Police officers. The patrols will continue until the end of the year. It forms part of an aggressive anti-crime initiative to deal with the high incidence of crime during the Christmas period.