Chaguanas residents call for curfew to curb crime

Fed up with being the victims of crime, residents of Edinburgh 500, Chaguanas, are suggesting a 10 pm-6 am curfew for the area. The call was made at the Police Central Division town meeting, Presentation College, Chaguanas, on Tuesday.

A lost pregnancy, home invasions, robberies, auto thefts, drug peddling and attempted kidnappings were some of the issues raised.

Those present lamented the poor turnout, as fewer than 30 people turned up for the session.

Resident Ronnie Forte said some of the concerns included murders, home invasions, car theft and traffic violations.

“Especially at night, you see the Spanish guys riding through the crowds on mopeds and motorbikes without helmets. Just recently two women were walking through the 500 and were attacked by a cutlass-wielding bandit. Unfortunately, one of the women was pregnant and she lost the baby. We have car theft, school violence, murders.”

He said residents had suggested a 10 pm-6 am curfew for the area.

A South Orchard Gardens resident said she had a near-miss last Monday when a car approached and tried to block her as she was driving out after dropping something for a friend.

“There are a lot of vehicles coming into the area that we don’t know how to identify. We are concerned they are coming to check out houses for robberies.

“There are also tenanted houses where the people are playing loud noises at all hours of the night. The owners don’t live in the community so they don’t hear it. Can we call the police?
"We’ve had some incidences of drug peddling in the park.”

Acting assistant Supt Ramdhani Dipchand said many residents had formed WhatsApp groups for their areas. He said if they saw strange cars, they should check with other residents and then contact the police with the licence plate number.

“We have a database where we can tell who the owner is and their address. We won’t give out the information, but we will verify the authenticity of the vehicle and make sure it’s not involved in illegal activities.
"We will make an effort to increase police patrols.

“Regarding the loud noises, we encourage residents to appeal to the owners. Sometimes in renting property, we look at the bigger dollar. They could be renting to criminals. The police will assist in doing background checks. It’s $50 for a certificate of character; you can take it out of the first month’s rent. Let them prove they’re reputable.”

Enterprise South/Longdenville North councillor Brenda John said she was hurt by the sparse turnout, as she was the only councillor there.
She said people were constantly contacting her with reports of crimes and strange occurrences.

“I was told the latest shooting in Bhagaloo Street was over illegal guns. They were saying who could shoot who and it went off after 9 pm last night.

“There are a lot of people coming into the area, but a lot of us don’t want to form community watch groups. It helps.

“They’re coming into Central, and we don’t want them here. As councillor, I will not stand for it. I will report every single person. I get threatened already, but it doesn’t move me, and I will continue to do the work I have to be doing.”

Chaguanas-Port of Spain Taxi Association president Israel John appealed for an increased police presence at Busy Corner between 9 pm and 3 am, as the PH drivers were taking their customers.

“The Port of Spain taxi stand is almost by Massy, and especially when it’s hot, the passengers will take a PH car rather than walking up. After a certain time, there are very few police in the area and the PH drivers feel they could do anything. We’ve gotten threats already.”

Acting Supt, North Central Division, Naim Gyan said some officers were not present during certain times because they had to attend court over traffic tickets they issued. He said he would see if  more assistance could be given to Busy Corner.

He said several thieves who had robbed homes in Woodford Gardens had been caught and were before the courts.

“They confessed, and what was noteworthy was that they were just driving through the area, saw an opportunity and took it.”

Leslie Ann Francis said a lot of PH taxi drivers were coming into her area because it was a lucrative route, but only going up to a certain poin,t and increasing the rates randomly.

“Some of them are very sketchy fellas and they make people uncomfortable. There have been some incidents.”

A PH taxi driver said the area is more lucrative than the regular route because he could go there in 20 minutes or less, whereas dealing with the Montrose traffic could add an hour to the turnaround time. He suggested switching the San Fernando and Port of Spain stands to solve the Busy Corner issue.

Acting assistant superintendent Ramdhani Dipchand said the communities in Chaguanas have grown without a simultaneous growth in infrastructure.

“I have had consultations with the Chaguanas Borough Corporation with a view to alleviating some of the traffic woes we have in Chaguanas, and got partial approvals for some plans.

"I also reached out to traffic management, but nothing has been done, and I’m hoping they will reach back out to the police with some positive feedback.”

Snr Supt Garvin Simon said the police were having collaborative talks with the traffic wardens and the municipal police to “see how best we can come up with a comprehensive traffic plan to cover as far as possible the main road in Central and the trouble areas.”