Aboud: Crime affects businesses nationwide

UPDATE:

DOWNTOWN Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) head Gregory Aboud is so far assured that the authorities have properly turned their eyes towards tackling any threatened outbreak of of gang warfare in Port of Spain, but said more must be done to tackle the scourge nationwide that may be deterring foreign investment in TT.

Recent shootings have led to fears of an impending tit-for-tat war between the Rasta City and Unruly ISIS gangs.

“With regard to a fear of a possible episode of violence between two rival gangs in downtown Port of Spain, we do not at this time feel any great apprehension,” he said.

“We have over the past few weeks been party to information regarding an improvement in patrols in the downtown city centre. Even though the nature of the threat has been suggested to be a serious situation, we feel that the mere fact that it is being discussed puts further emphasis on the need for such patrols as we’ve already seen.”

Aboud welcomed assurances of more patrols to protect the capital city from Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams.

“At this time we do not want to anticipate any failing in the action they have promised. Therefore, we do not have any level of anxiety at this time.”

However he said that nationwide, violence and murder are a concern to the entire country. “We can tell you that while you called to discuss the effects on shopping in downtown Port of Spain, we have information and reports regarding a very negative impact which is occurring with respect to night-time businesses, in particular the restaurant business and the entertainment business. This is nationwide.

“We also have information with respect to the effects that crime is having on the investment climate.

While it may not be a case specifically attributable to any gang rivalry between the two main gangs, we do have a situation in which a great deal of apprehension is being expressed by those persons that planned to make investments, particularly business investments, construction and expansion.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

DOWNTOWN Owners and Merchant Association (DOMA) head Gregory Aboud is so far assured that the authorities have properly turned their eyes towards tackling any threatened outbreak of of gang warfare in Port of Spain, but said more must be done to tackle the scourge nationwide that may be deterring foreign investment in TT.

Recent shootings have led to fears of an impending tit-for-tat war between the Rasta City and Unruly ISIS Gangs.

Aboud welcomed assurances of measures to protect the capital city given by Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams. However he said crime has had a very bad effect on businesses nationwide, particularly those operating at night such as the restaurant and entertainment sectors. Saying lawlessness is on everyone's lips and also has harmed the country's investment climate, he said a national effort may be needed against crime. He lamented "a great apprehension" by people thinking of investing in TT.