Brazen attack

The attack occurred at about10 pm and was reportedly in reprisal for the killing of 30-year-old Dillon “Bandy” Skeete who was killed by unknown persons shortly before the incident.

Persad-Bissessar commented on the incident while speaking with the media yesterday after the Business Council for International Understanding breakfast meeting, held at the New York Marriott Marquis.

She noted that at the moment it had not been confirmed how Skeete was killed, whether by security forces or others in the region. She also praised the police on the handling of the situation.“I commend the officers that were there that they did not go out...on a shoot out in the Wild West and they were able to contain the matter,” she said. She noted that law enforcement agencies were able to bring the situation under control.

“It is most regrettable that there are persons so brazen to try to take the law into their own hands,” she said. Persad-Bissessar said she had been informed that matters have calmed down by the Besson Street Station. She endorsed the statement released by National Security Minister Gary Griffith and added it was unfortunate that some would want to take the law into their own hands. She said law enforcement agencies are on alert and will continue to monitor the situation. Questioned whether the security forces should remain on high alert in case of repercussions she responded that “I do believe the forces are always on alert.” She reiterated the situation will continue to be monitored.

On a possible review of security at police stations, Persad-Bissessar said the station appeared to have taken care of itself and those who came against it were “more adversely affected”. “There’s nothing to be lost by looking at security generally but they seem to have been able to secure themselves,” she added.

Persad-Bissessar said they will continue to take the strongest approach against the criminals. She reiterated that she is heartened by the decrease in serious crimes by 30 to 40 percent but they still need to do better. On the United Nations anti-terrorism resolution which Trinidad and Tobago co-sponsored this week and whether there could be any repercussions, she noted the head of Islamic organisation Anjuman Sunnat ul Jamaat Association (ASJA) has expressed support for their actions.

“I believe law abiding citizens will welcome the stand that we have taken and indeed that is feedback thus far,” she said. She noted that before the decision was taken discussions were held with some of the leaders of the Islamic community and based on their response and Government’s research on the matter “it is the right decision”.

“We will have to wait and see whether there are any ill consequences but I think we can only stand to benefit from the stand we have taken and will continue to take. We will fight terrorists wherever they are, we will continue to fight against criminals wherever they are,” she said.

The resolution, championed by US President Barack Obama, seeks to stop the movement across countries by foreign terrorist fighters involved with groups such as the Islamic State. Questioned about a media report that there are 50 Trinidadians involved with the Islamic State Persad-Bissessar reported that as head of the National Security Council “again there has been no evidence that has been brought forward to us at the national security level, council level or otherwise, evidence (or) information.” She continued, “There are a lot of rumours about it but there is no confirmation or evidence with respect to that matter. I continue to be briefed by the Minister of National Security and by the National Operations Centre. But thus far there has been no confirmation of any of those matters.” She previously stated that a media report linking a Trinidadian to an Islamic State video was similarly unconfirmed.