CoP: Gangs becoming desperate

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher says gangs are becoming desperate as police continue to make inroads in the fight against crime.

She made the comment at a media briefing on Sunday night to address what she described as a “challenging weekend,” during which 14 murders were recorded across the country.

Harewood-Christopher noted half of the murders were gang-related.

“It would seem that the more we succeed in disrupting and dismantling the criminal gangs, the more desperate they are becoming and even more brazen(ly) they are behaving.”

Deputy commissioner of police responsible for operations Junior Benjamin said police intended to face the situation head-on.

“We want to say it will be some in-your-face policing. Therefore, we are asking the public to really work with us if at times they might be inconvenienced. Understand that we are taking a no-nonsense approach to this situation.”

Benjamin said stations were on high alert, with increased police presence and quick response times.

“We have ensured that we have more and more patrols outside there and I want to assure you that at this time, we have ensured that there continues to be a constant presence of the police. We would ensure at the same time that we seek to deal with all matters that come to the station in a very quick and professional manner.”

He said the approach had already borne fruit over the past few days with the seizure of ten guns, $2 million worth of marijuana and the arrest of one person in connection with one of the double murders in Port of Spain this weekend. Benjamin did not specify which double murder he was referring to.

On July 12, Hasani Bonas, 29, and Jaheim Charlo, 19, were gunned down at Agostini Street, Gonzales around 4 pm. At 8.45 pm Jemerc Fontrose Marc, 20, and Kerwin McLeod, 44, were killed by gunmen at Mango Rose, Laventille.

On July 14, asked how the public could be affected by the “in-your-face” policing strategy, Harewood-Christopher said, “We have different communities require different policing strategies. In some communities, we may see a bit more aggressive policing than in some communities.”

The commissioner denied, though, police had lost control of the crime situation.

“We have not lost a handle (on crime). Crime continues to be diverse and we continue to adjust our strategies.”

With three double murders and one triple murder among the 14 deaths, Harewood-Christopher also pointed out: “We have also realised the very disturbing trend of multiple homicides where we see double, triple, quadruple and even quintuple murders.

“The police is doing what it needs to be done and we will continue to do so until we win this battle. We are in it for the long haul. We are determined to succeed and we will not stop until that mission is accomplished.”

She said police were using all the resources at their disposal to address the crime level.

“All the necessary resources are fully mobilised to combat violent crime. Our investigators are working around the clock to gather information and intelligence. The Homicide Bureau and the criminal and the crime-scene investigators have been deployed to meticulously gather evidence and track down those responsible.

“Given the dynamic nature of crime, we continue to assess and monitor and update our strategies when necessary and utilise all technology available to us.”

Harewood-Christopher said regardless of the resources at the police's disposal, the public remained the country’s best hope of reducing the crime rate.

“I again appeal to the public to assist the police.

"Without vital information, we are severely restricted in our efforts.
"We must work collectively to change the current culture of violence and murder. All of us have a role that we can play to assist in changing this culture of murder and killing and shape our future as a nation. Now more than ever, if you see something, say something. Your co-operation is vital in helping us solve these crimes and prevent future violence.”

She acknowledged the fear and frustration facing the country but urged the public not to give up.

“This weekend families have been affected, communities have been affected. As a nation, we continue to be frustrated by the senseless violence claiming the lives of our loved ones, but we cannot lose hope. We cannot despair. We cannot get tired of trying our best because this battle against the criminals calls for endurance. We cannot, we must not and we will not give up.”

She said while the immediate goal is to apprehend and prosecute the people responsible for the weekend’s murders, the bigger goal is bringing an end to senseless gun violence and murder.

Asked what she had to say to communities affected by these multiple killings with innocent people losing their lives to indiscriminate shooters, Harewood-Christopher urged people to take back their communities.

“The community belongs to them and they must ensure and let the criminally minded in the community know that criminal activities will not be tolerated. So communities need to take back their communities.”

She said the police would continue to focus on community engagements through their various arms

“We continue to have our patrols and we continue to have our station council meetings and officers on the beat to bring that sense of assurance to the communities.”

Apart from the murders of Bonas, Charlo, Marc and McLeod on July 12, ten more murders were discovered over the weekend.

On July 14, at around noon, Dave Lyons, 24, Jah-Marley Goddard, 23, and Earl Peters, 33, were shot dead in a car as they left Rituals/Pizza Boys on the Southern Main Road, Cunupia after buying three chillers.

On July 13, Rio Claro businesswoman Carissa Ramrattan was shot and killed outside Toyota's south office at Tarouba; Dwayne Richardson, 34, and his common-law wife Latoya Voision were shot to death at their home on Maturita Road, Arima; and TT Ride Share driver Shakeem Charles, 32, of Indian Walk, Moruga, was found dead in Penal.

Also on July 12, Shawn Nigel George, 36, was shot and killed on Foster Road, Sangre Grande.