More police in Tunapuna, but back roads still lack patrols

BUSINESSMEN in Tunapuna have expressed happiness with the increased police presence in the area over the past week, especially during shopping hours at nights on the Eastern Main Road. But residents of Tunapuna who do most of their shopping during the comfort of the night, have a different story to tell. They claim that more policemen should be deployed in the residential areas especially on secondary roads. It is claimed that there are too many young men with nothing to do but find ways to prey on innocent people.

Over the past week, a number of robberies have been reported. One resident commented: “The police are trying to protect businessmen, but they should also think about residents who live in lonely areas.” They want not only foot patrols on the Eastern Main Road, but mobile patrols as well in areas like Back Street, Macoya Road, El Dorado Road and a number of other streets where patrols are seldom seen. Last week, one man was attacked while walking to his home and robbed of cash. In another incident, a young couple was walking close to the Eddie Hart Recreation Ground when bandits forced them into the nearby savannah and robbed them.

One of the bandits attempted to rape the woman but she managed to alert a passerby. Senior officers of the Tunapuna Police Station said yesterday that they are aware of the situation, but are trying their best with limited manpower. Officers admitted that they have not been focussing the patrols in some areas, but they are working with specific instructions. They added that the patrols in areas where people live will resume before the end of the year.