‘Crime sends Arima to sleep by 10 pm’

Arima Businessmen Association president (ABA) Reval Chatergoon is all about making the borough safe after the Northern Division has been reported as having the highest crime rate in the last few years.

He said Arima ranked just about first, second and third in every category.

Addressing members of the ABA and concerned citizens during a meeting, on Friday, at the Arima Town Hall where Police Commissioner Gary Griffith was the guest speaker, Chatergoon said Arima was in a crisis where businesses were forced to close early. He said employees were being robbed to and from work, customers no longer felt safe to shop, and tenants were moving out.

“Arima for many years has been known as the ‘city that never sleeps’. Now she goes to bed by 10 pm. In a crisis, a hero will rise; you, sir, are that person, commissioner. You have now given TT hope. I will be your cheerleader for your policy of ‘one shot one kill’.”

He said in 2013, total crime statistics stood at 13,147. These included burglary, fraud, larceny, kidnapping, shooting and wounding, possession of firearms, rapes, robberies and murders. In 2017, the total number of crimes were 13,113 which was about 36 crimes a day, or one every 40 minutes.

“We support you, sir. It is time someone stood up for the victims and their families. It is time that someone with testicular fortitude takes the fight to the criminals, we say attack with full force... within the confines of the law of course. “There will be some that want you to fail for their own selfish agenda, far too long too many elections were won with the promise of fixing crime. This time, it is actually being done in a meaningful way.”

Chatergoon said the ABA has been supporting the Arima Police Station by repairing their vehicles engaging painters, mechanics and auto electricians.

“I know we have been looking for answers for some time to no avail, but we will continue to support our TT Police Service. The ABA will continue to do what it can for our members for safer operations and making themselves harder targets.”

He said the ABA has started consultation with former head of the National Operations Centre, retired commander Garvin Heerah on the use of technology to keep Arima and its members safe.