Hinds: Trou Macaque traumatised

LAVENTILLE West MP Fitzgerald Hinds yesterday said the community of Trou Macaque, Laventille has been traumatised by the recent killing of five people – including two boys aged 15 and 17 – in an encounter with police officers.

At a house on October 25, police shot dead five men whom they claimed had shot at them first, with a bullet grazing an officer. But a relative of one of the deceased alleged they were surrendering to the police when killed. Last Friday, Fr Trevor Nathasingh held a funeral for three of the dead - Shakeem Francois, 15; Kudeim Phillips, 17; and Shaundell St Clair, 20, at Corpus Christi RC Church, Laventille. The priest urged parents to watch over their youngsters.

The case has sharply divided the nation. Some lauded the police action, but others viewed it as police heavy-handedness.

Newsday asked if counselling was being given to the families, friends and neighbours of the deceased men.

"I have visited the families in the last couple of days. I have been in touch with them," Hinds said.

"I invited the Ministry of Social Development to provide counselling for them, as is always done in these circumstances."

Hinds said he has given residents whatever support he has available in the circumstances.

"The event has had a traumatic effect on the families and the communities and some counselling might be necessary. I said I would make attempts if they needed it."

Asked if bureaucracy could impede the delivery of counselling, he replied, "I don't anticipate any bureaucracy or rigmarole. Once the family makes the request, they can get counselling."

Newsday was yesterday unable to contact Minister of Social Development Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn.

Dr Varma Deyalsingh, Independent senator and secretary of the TT Association of Psychiatrists, agreed that counselling was needed in a traumatised society of residents who would have known the deceased individuals. "People may undergo a series of changes." He said people may feel a sense of anger, fear, hostility, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and/or depression.

"There will be a ripple effect on the community."

Deyalsingh said individuals who feel traumatised may unwittingly vent it towards other family members, or at their workplaces, or otherwise. Noting a recent Business Insider magazine report that claimed TT is the 12th most violent place in the world, Deyalsingh said all clinics in TT should now include a trauma unit. He offered help to Trou Macaque residents. "I want to extend an invitation to those people affected to come to our clinic, Barataria Community Mental Health and Wellness Clinic at 135 Eastern Main Road, Barataria."