Forget about the army, coast guard and prisons officers.

The Prime Minister, Minister of National Security and Attorney General are all just window dressing. Up front and personal, crime is in the hands of the police. And they have to learn to like it and acknowledge it. For 2017 and beyond, they have to get a grip and stop pussy-footing. David West of the Police Complaints Authority is the least of their problems.

He has merely articulated how a tired and frustrated general public is feeling.

To date I am awaiting hearing complaints that Mr West was speaking out of turn. The truth doth indeed offend.

Maybe we are too accustomed looking at the international police television shows and expect the same results. Perhaps it is time for our detectives to enrol for training overseas. Send some of them to NYPD and the others to Scotland Yard.

I am perfectly serious.

They need to have at least one year in a foreign environment.

They should not be the most senior officers chosen. No already sitting behind the desk people should be eligible.

Consider these statistics: Chicago, USA has 2.72 million inhabitants.

For 2016 there have been 750 homicides, so far. 1.3 million persons live in TT . We crossed the 450 mark in 2016. Are we in a competition? Our Police Association people need to stop complaining about what is free speech from Citizen West. Agitate instead for some hands on training in the first world police stations.

As Lt Kojak of the US crime fighting series used to say – “Who loves yah baby?”

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin

Asraph Ali, chairman of MIPED, explained the significance of the function. “This event is multifold in its purpose, although the main objective is giving these kids a wonderful Christmas experience. We use this treat to show appreciation to our clients and it is a great opportunity for them to interact and network towards creating a stronger Mayaro community. We have a great time sharing and celebrating the Christmas spirit, and it really is a highlight of the year for me,” Ali explained.

Since inception, MIPED has lent over $80 mi llion through more than 3,900 loans that have facilitated the establishment of businesses and the creation of hundreds of permanent and temporary jobs.

MIPED general manager, Rory Jitta explained that the organisation has become an essential aspect of the economic and social landscape of the south-eastern community.

“Although MIPED’s statistics are impressive, our real success is in our ability to make a meaningful impact on the quality of life for our clients and by extension, the community of Mayaro. This treat is the result of the hard work of many persons and I would like to thank BP Trinidad and Tobago, the staff of the bpTT Mayaro Resource Centre, Jay’s Toy Box, and all of the parents and volunteers who make this event magical for everyone, especially the kids,” Jitta explained.

The MIPED Christmas treat featured bouncy castles, face painting, balloon art and endless snacks for the kids including snowcones, popcorn, doubles and pholourie.

There was a wonderful singing performance by the Newlands Carollers, but the highlight of the event was the giving of gifts to every child in attendance.

For Allison Ramkissoon of Kernaham Village, who was kept on her toes by her two kids Jason and Imani, it was a day not to be forgotten, “It’s wonderful that MIPED shows appreciation to us and maybe this is the only financial institution that actually invests in the happiness of its clients.

They helped us when we needed a loan to plant watermelon and beyond facilitating funding, they showed us genuine care and attention.

MIPED is like one big family and this treat exemplifies that sentiment.

I would like to wish them the best for the season and for the New Year as they continue their work in making Mayaro a better place.”

According to Robert “Robbie” McIntosh, founder and president of the MMSU , the group was formed five years ago and is focused on creating sustainable development for the people of Mayaro by offering training and also acting as an advocate to generate employment opportunities for the people of the south-eastern community. The organisation also realised the need for social intervention and works to help the less fortunate in the community.

McIntosh explained the idea behind their social programme, “I lost my eyesight years ago but I never let that stop me or slow me down in my quest to fight for the betterment of Mayaro. Through hard work, we were able to set up a fund to assist less fortunate persons with minor surgery or even medical tests. The MMSU also provides equipment such as prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, nebulisers as well as blood pressure and diabetes testing kits. This year we were also able to give out vouchers to deserving persons from across Mayaro. We work every single day to achieve our mission for a better Mayaro.” The organisation hosted a small presentation ceremony at their Mayaro offices last week where they gave out medical testing equipment as well as 25 vouchers for groceries worth $1,500 each and 13 vouchers for home repairs worth $6,000 each.

Jaby Phillip, of Lewis and Sucre Street, Mayaro, expressed his gratitude “This organisation is doing great work to improve the quality of the lives of the people of Mayaro. I was in an accident recently and could not work so they presented me with a voucher for groceries. I can tell you that my family, including my three kids, are very grateful for this assistance that will go a long way toward making our Christmas merrier. I wish Robbie and the MMSU all the best as they continue their work in helping make a better Mayaro.” As indicated by McIntosh, the MMSU currently has over 250 registered members, but their work impacts the entire community as they try to help everyone they can. The organisation receives assistance to achieve their mission from the entire community including corporate stakeholders such as BP Trinidad and Tobago.

Ronda Francis, corporate responsibility manager, bpTT , explained the impetus behind their support for the MMSU , “Across the world non-governmental and community-based organisations are critical to driving sustainable development and social change.

Throughout the year, bpTT provides training to make these organisations more effective and empowered in achieving their objectives.

Apart from our own social programmes, we also support positive work like this project by the MMSU .” McIntosh explained that they will be offering medical assistance throughout the year and that he was hoping to expand the impact of their organisation with the coming of the New Year 2017.

According to retiree Veronica Rampersad from Rest House Village, Mayaro, “The MMSU gave me blood sugar and pressure testing kits so that I can monitor my health and I am truly grateful for this help toward living a healthier and happier life. I may not have many resources, but I would like to help them make my community a better place in any way that I can. They have shown us that we can all work together to lift Mayaro to where it should be as a model community for the nation to follow.”

Those in attendance also brought and donated presents for underprivileged children to support the “Kerra Love Kids” charity drive, which took place a few days later.

The lime spilled over to Alberto Street as entertainers and industry personalities stopped by to share in the fun lime and enjoy the complimentary food and drinks.

The mas camp was temporarily converted into a mini disco/dance floor with music provided by popular DJs, such as Ultra Simmo, Ryan Spartan and Lurbz.

The oldest club in the country with the majority of members upwards of 70 plus who come out religiously on Wednesdays to play the game which they love, and to take part in formal tournaments (Cup Games) handed out an impressive array of trophies which have been donated in memory of deceased members.

After the new president, Pat Howard, welcomed members and guests on behalf of her management committee comprised of Moy Hosang, Jackie Niles, Dianne Grell, Sandra Aleong, Joy Mustapha and Germaine Lazzari, members thoroughly enjoyed an array of Christmas snacks, which was followed by the Awards ceremony, where 90 year old Ena Byrne, who never misses Bridge Wednesday, walked away with five trophies.

Winners were as follows: Mayfair Cup (pairs) – Erika Emery and Ena Byrne; Annie Samuel Cup (individual) – Janet Alleyne; Kelmart Trophy (Team of four ) – Byrne, Moy Belgrave, Kalifa and Pat Howard; Dorothy Sanguinette Trophy (pairs) – Liris Armstrong and Sandra Aleong; Ghent’s Trophy (pairs) – Michal Andrews and Byrne; Samuel Sanguinette Trophy (pairs)- Mustapha and Margaret de Souza; Ena Barnes Trophy (seeded team of four) – Joyce Farley, Dianne Grell, Moy Hosang and Jackie Niles; Winnie Ward Trophy (pairs) – joint winners June Johnson and Jackie Chong Tai and Liris Armstrong and Aleong; and Dr Forrester’s Team of Four Trophy – Mustapha, de Souza, Byrne and Howard (P).

And since Christmas is not complete without hampers, 16 beautiful hampers kindly donated by sponsors, were won in order of merit by Aleong, Niles, Lazzari, Byrnes, Armstrong, Andrews, Mavis Archer, Howard (K), Gloria De Souza, Marlene Davis, Grell, de Souza, Mustapha, Hosang, Belgrave and Howard (P).

The incident occurred at about 8 pm along the M2 Ring Road close to Gandhi Village in Debe.

A police report stated that two men were standing on the side of the road when they flagged down a passing vehicle, a maroon-coloured Nissan Almera. The vehicle, which contained two women and the male driver, stopped. The police report stated that the two men who were standing at the side of the road, pointed guns at the women and man and ordered them out of the car.

According to the report, the bandits then ordered all three victims to take off their clothes.

When the three complied, struggling to hide their nakedness at the side of the road, the bandits rummaged through the discarded clothing and seized cellular phones and money. The bandits then threw the clothes into the car which they entered and sped off in. After several hours, a relative of one of the female victims, became worried when she did not return home and went in search.

This relative found the naked trio stooping at the side of the roadway, trembling from the biting night-time cold. The three got into the car while a report was made to the police. Officers used the GPS system which was ‘on’ in one of the victims’ stolen cellular phone to track it as being somewhere in the Enterprise, Chaguanas area. An All Points Bulletin (APB) was issued and officers were in hot pursuit of the bandits who by this time had reached Longdenville. However, the bandits managed to evade capture and both the bandits and the stolen car were unaccounted for up to press time. Investigations are continuing.

Checks with both Pan Trinbago head Keith Diaz and Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) leader Lutalo ‘Brother Resistance’ Masimba yesterday revealed that no monetary allocation has been set aside as yet by Government for Carnival 2017.

Masimba told Newsday, “The Ministry has been paying the usual stipend but we have not received any allocation to date.

TUCO has four main Calypso tents to run and opening day is just a month away and we are still awaiting the funding. Right now there is no preparation for Carnival 2017. We just can’t do anything. There is a talk going around that TUCO received two million dollars but I don’t know anything about that.” For his part, Diaz said, “The only money we have received for 2017 is $501,000 for administrative fees. I don’t know where this talk of us receiving seven million dollars came from. People are out there talking but they don’t have the facts. The National Carnival Commission (NCC) has paid out $1.9 million in assistance to steelbands for the 2017 National Panorama.” Asked about his budget allocation for this year, Diaz said, “We have made serious cuts to our budget for 2017. Pan Trinbago submitted a budget for $24,792,000 which is a cut of eight million dollars.” Diaz said the Panorama format was also changed to Panyard judging because the steelbands had to pay too much money for transportation.

A cost they never recover.

He assured that the Panorama prize monies remained the same as 2016.

When asked about the players’ remittance for 2016, Diaz said, “On October 28, Pan Trinbago received five million which is a shortfall of two point seven million and which was spent on the steelband from Tobago for hotel, meals and transportation. I did not want to start paying the panmen and end up in a situation where all would not have received their remittance but this exercise will begin shortly. Let me make it clear again, Pan Trinbago has not received any seven million allocation for 2017.” The National Carnival Bands Association offices are closed for the Yuletide holidays and its president David Lopez is said to be out of the country.

Calls to Vice President Renrick Brown’s cell phone went unanswered. As such, it was not known what role the NCBA will play in Carnival 2017. Efforts by Newsday to reach Community Development, Arts and Culture Minister Nyan Gadsby Dolly yesterday for a comment proved futile.

In a press release, the TTPS stated that Renisha Lewis, 12, was last seen leaving home on Tuesday and has not been seen since. She lives at Desperlie Crescent in Laventille and a missing person report was filed by her aunt Pamela Scott at 10.20 pm on Tuesday at the Besson Street Police Station. Renisha, a pupil of Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive, was last seen leaving home at 4 pm. She was headed to Independence Square to purchase a meal and at the time, was wearing a pink dress with a horse shoe print.

Renisha is of African descent and is short and of stocky build with a cane row hairstyle. Anyone with information on Renisha’se whereabouts are asked to call 800-TIPS or contact the police at 555, 999, 911 or any police station.

The TTPS also stated in its release that 50-yearr-old labourer Russel Cornwall has gone missing and was last seen leaving his Lachoos Road, Penal home on Tuesday. His daughter Cindy Cornwall reported him missintg at 7.45 pm. She told police that Cornwall left home at 2 am on Tuesday dressed in a long blue jeans and a t-shirt. He is of African descent, slim built and is missing his two front teeth.

Meanwhile, Dwayne David, the 24-year-old fisherman of Palmiste, San Fernando, who was reported missing by his mother Joann Combs on Sunday December 18, has been found. Dwayne reported to the San Fernando Police Station on Tuesday and stated that he had been in the Chaguaramas area after experiencing problems with his boat.

The TTPS, in its press release, thanked members of the public for its assistance in ensuring David’s safe return.

This was the call of Hassel Thom, president of the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA).

“Without future growth, the sector will not be able to materially continue…Tobago has been ‘stuttering’ and (some of) their doors are closed while in Trinidad, some of our doors are closed at times because we cannot afford to carry the cost.”

“Just as the PM saw it fit to take the mantle and support the Energy Minister to drive the process, nothing less (is needed) in tourism.”

Thom issued his call for action by the PM during a press conference co-hosted by the THRTA, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (TTITOA) at Hyatt Regency, Port-of-Spain on December 15.

Thom cited a downward trend in the amount invested by the current and previous administrations in marketing destination Trinidad and Tobago (DTT) as a major reason why Rowley needs to pay personal attention to declining visitor numbers in Tobago and stagnant visitor numbers in Trinidad while other Caribbean destinations have recorded growth in 2016.

“We have always lobbied the Government that the Hotel Accommodation Tax (HAT) should be used more meaningfully to enhance DTT. In 2015, the private sector; hotels, contributed TT $62 million, the Government injected $50 million.”

“In 2016, the private sector injected $60 million, the Government put back or utilised $29 million. Brian Frontin (CEO of THRTA) said, for 2017, that figure (Government) has dropped to $19 million. I think something is woefully wrong,” Thom declared.

He made the point that as people, we are judged by our actions and if we make a judgement based on Government’s declining contribution to marketing DTT, “it doesn’t give us any hope moving forward.”

Making reference to the many direct and indirect forms of employment created by tourism-related businesses, Thom said “as a private sector, we cannot afford to just shut doors.”

He then called for “full collaboration” between the public and private sectors on how best to market DTT.

“We’ve been clamouring, we’ve been emphasising, we’ve been trying our best to get them (Government) to do more marketing for the destination. No one, ten or 15 members could promote this destination (properly on their own). This needs public sector involvement and with that, we need to see a regulated industry.”

Poor destination marketing, as well as a roughly 50 percent shortfall in required “international quality” room stock, were cited by THTA president, Christopher James, during his presentation on the dire state of Tobago’s tourism.

“Tobago’s occupancy rates in October (2016) were about nine percent. Last month, November, they were only slightly better – ten percent. We are beyond the critical position for Tobago.”

James said international arrivals to Tobago are down by 25.84 percent, “a continuation of decline for the last ten, 11 years.”

“Where as back in 2005 we had just under 88,000 arrivals, this year we’re looking at about 19,000 or a little less than that in international arrivals.”

In terms of room stock, Tobago “actually needs 2,500 rooms to make us a year-round sustainable product. At the moment, we only have about 1,000 international quality rooms.”

It remains unclear if and when a Sandals resort would be built in Tobago but James cautioned that this alone would not be enough to save Tobago.

“We need help now. We have certain criteria that need to be fulfilled (such as) money at lower rates of interest to help us get through this. We need incentives in other areas; our incentives, compared with the rest of the region, are pretty poor.”

James made the case that not having competitive incentives is a major reason why TT is lagging behind its neighbours.

“The region grew by about 7.2 percent last year (2015). They had over 30 million visitors to this region last year… We get accused in Tobago; the hotels, of not marketing our (product) but without (national) destination marketing, any marketing hotels do is lost. You need that focus on the destination before anything that people or individual hotels do, makes any sense,” James declared.

The THTA head added that this is why collaboration is needed between Government/ the relevant ministries and the private sector.

“First of all, we need to agree on a destination marketing plan for TT. Then we can, as individual hotel or business owners, fit our marketing into those strategies,” James stated.

Another person who didnt mince words at the joint ‘presser’ was TTITOA president, Lorraine Pouchet.

She criticised Government and the private sector alike for abdicating their responsibilities.

“For this partnership to yield positive and sustainable results,” Pouchett argued, “tourism must be a priority for the government of the day. Unfortunately, successive governments have all dropped the ball and only paid lip service to the industry. The private sector has also surrendered its role and responsibility, by allowing the government to take almost

complete control of the process.”

Pouchett said unless the situation is rectified urgently, tour operators will be among the first stakeholders to go out of business.

“Over the last four to five years, there has been a steady decline in business for the tour operating sector. Members of TTITOA have reported declines ranging from five percent per annum in previous years (2010 to 2014), to a 30 percent decline over the past two years. This is an untenable situation.”

Pouchett argued that if attention had been paid to the sector over the last 15 years or so, “as a destination, (TT) would today have a viable tourism sector…bringing in foreign exchange and ensuring the economy would not have been in a state of impending collapse.”

“When will we recognise that tourism has the potential to create more jobs than the energy sector and needs to be part of a serious diversification strategy?” Pouchett asked.

The TTITOA president identified nine areas which she said require immediate action (both macro and micro):

1) Branding/Imaging of TT – positioning on search engines is critical;

2) Development of a strategic plan for the industry – stakeholder participation is critical but actioning the recommendations even more so; 14 months into this dispensation of Government, and many, many consultations later – no action to date that is yielding tangible results.

Environmental issues must be an integral part of this process – travellers are very concerned about a destination’s approach to protecting the environment;

3) Appropriate funding for marketing – TT $19 million is a drop in the bucket if we are serious about tourism. We need to increase the allocation;

4) Review and training of the service provided in all areas. Example, at the ports of entry, one and a half hours to process immigration is not user-friendly;

5) Access to funding/grants for business development – tour operations are an intangible product – banks are not willing to lend;

6) Licensing of vehicles for tourism – not only concessions – but amendment to the Tourism Development Act to allow for the licensing of such;

7) Development of International Standards criteria – all providers need to be licensed and to be members of a bona-fide umbrella association;

8) Develop and upgrade sites and attractions on both islands in keeping with international standards. For example, what is happening at Maracas is a travesty (and) Pigeon Point is being eroded; and

9) Install and maintain toilet facilities at strategic locations on the islands, ensuring access for the differently-abled.

Pouchett spoke of the need for DTT to be one ofvthr top results in online searches for Caribbean holidays, as well as the vital importance of having an application (app) that puts DTT at the fingertips if business and leisure travellers alike.

“Until we start understanding that social media, Internet marketing, is what is taking the world by storm, and adjusting our marketing efforts to put money into that specific area, we (TT) are going to always have problems.”

She lamented that several years after the TTITOA first recommended to the Tourism Development Company (TDC) that an app for DTT be created, “it’s unbelievable” that nothing of the kind exists.

Five days after Pouchett’s lament, the Tourism Ministry announced at the welcome ceremony for the first flight of Air Canada Rogue’s non-stop route between Toronto and Trinidad, that the “TDC will be launching, early next year (2017), a new tourism mobile application that will provide users with a comprehensive insight into our myriad events and festivals, as well as provide feedback regarding the quality of visitor experiences whilst in TT.”

Business Day asked what all three groups would consider progress, given their warnings about the dire state of TT’s tourism sector.

THRTA chief executive officer, Brian Frontin, responded, “Progress for us means confirming, collectively and collaboratively, what are the next actionable steps that move this destination from the best-kept secret to something that is internationally known and recognised.”

“We want to be at that table,” Fontin added, “informing, driving, concluding and confirming that process in the shortest time possible with all ministries; because tourism cuts across several ministries.”

Referring to Thom’s call for PM Rowley’s intervention, Fontin said, “This is why you see the consistent call for the leadership position by the PM as we’ve seen in energy, to ensure that this priority is filtered through to development

According to a police report, at about eight o’clock Tuesday evening, the security officer on duty at Rhum Runners wholesalers liquor mart located along the Southern Main Road in Cunupia, was attacked by the five gun-toting bandits who announced a hold-up. Investigators said that the guard was ordered to open the gates to the store to allow the bandits into the compound after they threatened to shoot him dead.

According to a police report, when the bandits entered the businessplace, they dragged the officer into a room at the back of the building where they beat him up before tying his hands behind his back. The bandits then began to ransack the building. During a search of the building, the bandits struck gold. One million, two hundred dollars in cash were found and packed into bags. The bandits then cut the wires to the building CCTV system and made off with the recording unit, ensuring no video footage of the heist.

As they left the compound, the bandits also helped themselves to cases of rum and premium whiskey before running off with their loot. They entered a car which was parked nearby and sped off.

The guard later freed himself and contacted the police and the store’s owners.

Police sources said they believe the bandits had staked out the property, prior to the heist, identifying how many CCTV cameras were in place. The guard was later taken to a health centre for treatment for injuries sustained in the beating. When Newsday visited the scene yesterday, the businessplace remained locked and efforts to locate the owners for an interview proved futile. Investigations are continuing.