East PoS divided over 25 held

While some residents of Nelson Street were satisfied with Thursday's police exercise which led to the arrest of 25 people, others were not happy, complaining the officers had no reason to arrest the men.

Newsday visited Nelson and Duncan Streets in east Port of Spain this afternoon and spoke to residents. One woman said she was happy with the exercise and said it would bring some order to the neighbourhood.

"I feel a lot safer now to be honest. I'm a single mother and I have to walk and pick up my children from the school around the corner and sometimes these young fellas sit on the corner for hours and just stare at you when you walking. It's really unsettling,"

She said while the exercise was welcomed she hoped the police had enough evidence to secure convictions as, in the past, those arrested were released days later.

Another resident said the exercise was unnecessary as there were no recent shootings or violence in the area. He said some of the men arrested were not criminals.

"I know some of the people who they (police) held, they weren't involved in anything. The police bullied those young fellas they held there it didn't seem right."

Responding to reports of a possible take-over from a rival gang, residents said it was possible, but said they only wanted peace in the area.

"I want to be able to come out and not have to worry about getting shot because some idiot shooting at another idiot," one woman said.

Throughout the day, members of the Besson Street Police Station and the Inter Agency Task Force kept close watch on the streets and maintained a visible presence.