‘Thanks for saving me’

KIDNAP victim Natalie Pollonais was so moved by the round-the-clock efforts of police, which saw her being rescued four days after she was snatched, that she put pen to paper and wrote a thank-you letter to Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith.

In the letter, Pollonais said the concern and diligence of the police had renewed her faith in this country. She called on the nation to unite since nothing is impossible when Trinis work together.

Speaking at the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s breakfast meeting yesterday at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, Griffith read Pollonais’ letter aloud and said he was deeply touched by her sentiments.

Pollonais also thanked the relatives of all police officers who sacrificed their family time with their loved ones who were away from home, working to secure her release. She even joked, at the end of the letter, that given all that she has been through, if the police could give her a ‘bligh’ if she ends up on the wrong side of a speed trap.

Griffith said Pollonais’ letter embodies everything he has asked of citizens that is, to partner with the police service and provide a united front against criminals. “Mrs Pollonais sent a letter to me yesterday (Sunday) and she gave me approval to read it to the public. Ladies and gentlemen this is what I ask all citizens to do...circle the wagons.

“If we work together, the Police Service and law-abiding citizens, we will be an unbreakable combination where once and for all we can do what is required to provide you with your fundamental rights of safety and security,” the top cop said.

He said the arrest of two policemen triggered some backlash from the public but he pledged to weed out corrupt elements from within the service and renew the public’s trust in it.

“And the more we do things like this, the more we continue to weed out those rogue elements in the police service, the more it will continue to show to the public that this is a totally different ballgame.

Griffith said while he understands the public’s fear and unease in light of the kidnapping, it was important to look at the glass as “half full”, given the speed and success of the police in returning Pollonais to her family.