Blood on the Pitch Lake

A WIDELY held theory is that the crime crisis we are now experiencing is simply a reflection of the moral state of our society and the only way it can be effectively tackled is through a genuine change in the hearts and minds of the people. The truth of that theory and the dismal prospects for a corrective reformation were shockingly demonstrated at a fete at the La Brea Pitch Lake on Sunday night when a young man was shot by the police and lay dying at the edge of the famous Lake while party goers continued to dance and “wine” as if nothing had happened.

The heartless scenario reported in the dailies seems unbelievable but it may well be a case where the truth happens to be stranger and more demoralising than fiction. In full view, the life blood of a man is oozing out on the ground, but the feters carry on prancing to the music, untroubled by the tragedy taking place in their midst. What does that say about the moral condition and the human concern of a large section of our population? Is there any wonder that crime in TT has reached such a terrifying level? And what hope can be derived from this episode that the personal internal conversion necessary as the answer to crime will ever take place barring a tremendous miracle? Indeed, this party at the Pitch Lake serves to dramatise the fact that something terrible has been happening in our society, that, amidst a general moral deterioration, the regard for human life that we once took for granted as a “civilised” people has been steadily corroding.

It may well have reached the point where we will have to face the reality of having to live in a crime prone society in which all our human effort to deal effectively with the scourge will be unavailing. We are moved to this conclusion not simply by the conduct of the La Brea party goers but also by the reported action of the police involved in this confrontation. There are conflicting stories about the circumstances which led to the shooting of 21-year-old Don King, but one fact seems indisputable based on the testimony of eye witnesses, and that is that King was left bleeding on the ground for some two hours before he was taken to the Point Fortin Area Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Having shot the young party goer, whether in self defence or not, why did the Police take so long in getting him to the hospital? Were they not concerned by the fact that he was seriously wounded and could indeed be dying? What does that say about their respect for human life?

According to one report, King’s sister and uncles were beaten with batons when they attempted to go to the assistance of the bleeding man who could be heard screaming, “I can’t breathe, somebody carry me to the hospital.” The police story is that a scuffle started at the party when they arrested a La Brea man for having narcotics. King then rushed to free the man, knocking down PC Baptiste with a bottle and then lunging at the fallen officer with a fish knife which he drew from his pants. He was then shot twice by another policeman.

Another story is that the officers approached King and his friends asking them for ice. One of them answered the officers in “rude boy style” and was slapped. One of them returned the slap and a fight started. King then smashed a bottle to PC Baptiste’s head and ran. An officer gave chase, shooting King in the leg and then in the back. We expect that Police Commissioner Trevor Paul will want to determine the truth of this unsavoury episode by having it thoroughly and impartially investigated. Most vitally, he must find out why a bleeding King was left lying at the Pitch Lake party for some two hours.