Senior cop warns criminals: Think twice before committing crime in Northern Division

Snr Supt Kerwin Francis of the Northern Division is warning criminals that their activities will not be tolerated, as a series of exercises have been initiated after three murders in Arima earlier this week.

On Monday night 41-year-old Candace Griffith was gunned down while attending a party on Temple Street.

Five others including two teenagers were wounded in the attack.

Hours later on Tuesday night Kernella Saunders, 35 and Jewel Chaitram were killed on Train Line Road, Malabar.

The Northern Division includes Maloney, Arima, La Horquetta and Wallerfield.

Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, Francis said the safety of the public was his highest priority, noting that anti-crime strategies have been intensified to clamp down on criminals in the wake of these shootings.

While assuring the public of a greater police presence, Francis also warned law-breakers that police were prepared to respond to any threat.

"A word of caution to individuals who may arm themselves with firearms and commit offences.

"In your bid to escape, my officers will engage you and will respond with the appropriate force in keeping with the police use-of-force policy.

"At the same time, my detectives have been mandated to intensify their investigations into these matters, in order that the prosecutions in these matters are brought expeditiously to the courts."

Francis said a security grid would be strengthened across the division using road checks and other exercises to choke the movement of criminals travelling in the division.

He said while those checks may cause some inconvenience to drivers, it was necessary to root out criminals who might be returning from or on their way to commit crimes.

"The roads are of primary focus and in this regard there has been an increase in vehicle checks on all major arteries throughout the security grid.

"Members of the public are advised that there will be a level of inconvenience as people and vehicles will be subject to searches and their co-operation and patience are appreciated in advance as we continue to ensure their safety and security in our public and private spaces."

Another officer said in addition to patrols and searches, police also intended to build a stronger rapport with the public through town hall meetings in the coming days.

He said the interactions would help restore the public's confidence while also allowing residents and businesspeople to share their concerns and ideas on crime-fighting.

"This is also an important part of what we do because it aims to build some trust.

"People who live there will have special insight into what needs to be done and which areas are in need of our attention so it will be good to hear what they bring to the table."

The officer also encouraged residents to develop WhatsApp groups as a means of networking during emergency situations, noting that this could be valuable in alerting the police.

He noted that areas with community watch groups tend to have low crime rates and felt it could enhance police response through greater participation from residents.

Police said up to April 16, the North Eastern Division has the highest number of murders with 32 compared to 29 for the same period thus far.

The North-Central Division had the second highest number of murders with 25 compared to 17 for the same period this far.

The Northern Division had the third highest number of murders with 22 murders compared to 38 for the same period last year.

Contacted for comment D'Abadie/ O'Meara MP Lisa Morris-Julian said she was concerned over the murders and extended her condolences to the relatives of the victims.

She said the violence was troubling to her as she knew Kernella Saunders and her family personally, describing them as well-liked and respected people.

"A friend of mine said we cannot legislate the hearts of men but I cannot understand why someone would use an assault weapon and fire bullets everywhere.

"A good friend of mine is one lot away from the Saunders' home and her house was riddled with bullets.

"As a citizen, a Member of Parliament and as a mother I really am worried about these inhumane people.

"Our Prime Minister on that same day spoke about assault weapons and a way forward and we of Arima are very much aware of the devastation we face and as a community of D'Abadie/ O'Meara we will fight back."

Police from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations Region II are probing the murders.