Oropune Gardens still seeks peace, gang activity continues

OROPUNE GARDENS is still struggling to find peace. There are areas in the east Trinidad residential community that continue to grapple with crime, although some parts are reporting a turnaround.

In 2019, Sunday Newsday reported on the crime surge that had been highlighted by former journalist Colleen Holder.

Since then, the community came together and working with the Police Youth Club crime went down. Except in one spot – a place that's now known as China Town. It's on the north western end of the community, nearest to the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

A member of the protective services said criminals are forcing residents out of their apartments using them to store guns and drugs. Residents claim delivery drivers are afraid to enter that area for fear of being robbed, or worse.

Three men and woman said some see the crime as "acts of necessity". A 25-year-old father of two said it is a case of survival.

“The word 'town' frighten people. It have no hope again is just to get it. Is a last resort. Just take it.”

He said the area lacks opportunities.

“I have five passes and can't get a work. Once we have, we good, otherwise we have to go out there and take. It had a work on the other side that get shut down and that start the war.”

The others said once there are government-projects there is work, and crime reduces. They blame the vacant apartments on police harassment saying that after multiple searches people get tired and moved out.

“I rather move in, or somebody in the area move in, than somebody from outside come and move in the apartment. If my apartment full and it have no more room and this one empty what you want me to do?”

The group said the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) is responsible for the upkeep of the apartments. The claim the buildings are not repainted regularly, are un-tiled and the upkeep of the surrounding areas are not done. These things have been being done in other areas but not China Town. It is "divided" and named “The Duncans” and "Trou Macaque" after the east Port of Spain districts, Duncan Street and Trou Macaque, where fire victims were relocated from more than 10 years ago.

The residents said the community is stigmatised.

“Is just a survival of the fittest and we enduring. The say in the back here is a gang, it is a gang but a work gang, they have the wrong concept of gang. We don’t want free money we want to work.”

In an emailed response to concerns raised about safety and security in the area, the HDC said some of the concerns should be addressed by the police.

“With specific reference to incidents of crime and criminality in Oropune Gardens, the HDC believes that there are several issues at play in this community, which require a multi-pronged and multi-agency approach for resolution. Those which are within the control and remit of the HDC such as investigating reports of nefarious activities, the eviction of illegal occupants (done in tandem with the TTPS) and community engagement, are on-going.”

HDC said there are two apartments that are vacant and in rececnt weeks it complaints from residents about criminality in China Town. HDC said there has been communication with the police and will continue to reach out to them when such concerns are raised.

However, Holder, who was threatened after she spoke out against gang activity, said the collaborative effort of police and community saw an escalating crime rate reduced. “Nothing notable happened, the community just came together,” she said.

A police officer said there were several operations that took place involving the police and with the help of the community, they took back “Trou Macaque” from gangs.

The officer noted there were concerns about gangs using vacant apartments as stash houses and hideouts. The car parks and stairways need proper lighting which is an HDC issue, while the police need to arrest those illegally occupying the apartments. He confirmed the police have searched apartments because gangs were using “innocent people” to hide guns and drugs and after several raids families relocate leaving the apartments empty.

“It is a game of cat and mouse and I want it to stop. There are things the HDC can do and there are things the police can do but with the help of the HDC. We can’t enforce HDC policies only the laws of the land and some of their policies are not being kept. Both parties must work hand in hand.”

In response, the HDC pinpointed a collaborative effort to address crime not only Oropune Gardens but in all HDC developments.

“The HDC’s approach to Oropune Gardens has been centred on active community involvement and engagement. Since 2016, the HDC has granted permission for the Police Youth Club to utilise a unit to conduct its activities and initiatives. The activities of this club have been instrumental in reducing delinquency and anti-social behaviour among the youth. The HDC also facilitated the construction of a play park for the Oropune Police Youth Club and allocated a space for the construction of a basketball court," it said.

"In 2019, the HDC gave its support and commitment to the Police Commissioner’s Cup in which residents of Oropune Gardens participated. Work was also done on the recreational grounds in the area in order to facilitate the hosting of matches for this sporting event and other community activities.”