‘Safety first priority’

POLICE Commissioner Gary Griffith was met with cries of support and applause yesterday afternoon as he, Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez and senior police toured downtown Port of Spain, interacted with vendors and shoppers and discussed ways of securing the city during the Christmas season and beyond.

Griffith told reporters at the end of the tour, that he, Martinez and president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association Gregory Aboud held several discussions aimed at increasing police visibility and reducing crime.

“We are looking at different ways to ensure the citizens, the business owners, customers are as safe as possible. We are looking at things like indiscriminate parking, vending, ways to prevent petty and serious crimes. Anything we can do to make sure that Port of Spain is a safe city for the Christmas season, we will do.”

Asked if this heavy police presence will continue into the new year up until Carnival 2019, Griffith said the police used two different operational policies during Christmas and Carnival, but the high visibility and rapid response were key aspects of both strategies.

“We will be looking at different events leading up to the Carnival celebrations, like the band launches, the all-inclusive events. I have a very strong team of senior police officers and I think they will do Trinidad and Tobago well.”

For his part, Martinez said the tour was intended to give Griffith a first-hand view of concerns and areas of improvement around the city and to give shoppers a sense of comfort and ease.

Griffith began his tour shortly before 4 pm at the corner of Queen and Charlotte Streets, where he was immediately greeted by cheers from vendors.

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