Cops seize A15s, 387 bullets...113 nabbed in roadblocks

ONE HUNDRED and thirteen people, including a soldier who has been absent without leave for five years, were arrested in a series of police co-ordinated exercises on July 18.

On July 18, drivers reported police road checks along the westbound lanes of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, the Lady Young Road, Eastern Main Road and Debe Highway, among other routes.

Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for operations Junior Benjamin said 148 exercises were done across TT on July 18.

This came after 19 people were murdered over the last weekend and a meeting of the National Security Council, in which the Prime Minister called in Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher and the head of the various divisions, was convened.

In an interview with Newsday on July 19, Benjamin said 464 fixed-penalty notices were issued, seven firearms, including two AR-15s and 387 rounds of ammunition (mostly 5.56mm) were seized.

Benjamin said 1,358 stop and search forms were filled out, which will go towards data collection for the police.

“It was a resounding success in terms of the efforts made by the police officers.

“We are committed to achieve the objectives of the commissioner’s violent crime reduction plan and strategy.”

Speaking at a media conference on July 14 at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, Harewood-Christopher said she aims to reduce homicides by ten per cent this year.

Harewood-Christopher said the plan is a holistic one aimed at managing violent crime.

“We are focusing on the dismantling of criminal gangs, the retrieval of illegal firearms, the eradication of drug blocks, and increased focus on transnational crime.

“We are enhancing our police intelligence capability. We are leveraging the use of technology to enhance police operations.”

Benjamin said these nationwide road exercises were just one of the adjustments made in the police’s crime-fighting plans and said more can be expected in the future.

“This will be an ongoing exercise.

“The police are on high alert and it will be all hands on deck.”

On July 18, Benjamin dismissed a suggestion that the police action was akin to the 2015 Day of Total Policing, when officers held a series of unsanctioned roadblocks, snarling traffic across the country for several hours, purportedly over the slow pace of wage negotiations.

“This is something properly co-ordinated.”

The directive is coming from the CoP, seeking to have operations in place to restore a sense of safety and security, he said.

Benjamin said the police are ready to serve TT.

“We are giving our heart and soul to ensure safety and security.

“No gang leader, no gang member is going to run this country.

“We will step up and take the fight to those who want to take down this country.”

Successful operations nationwide

Tobago has seen more bloodshed this year as compared to previous years.

The murder toll in Tobago currently stands at 16, surpassing last year’s total of 14.

Newsday spoke to the head of police in Tobago Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk on July 19 via phone.

He said 12 people were arrested in Tobago on July 18.

Of those 12 – four were for outstanding warrants, two were illegal immigrants, while the others were arrested for minor offences.

He said approximately 60 fixed penalty notices were issued.

“We are about making Tobago safe; the operations were a success.

“Our presence on the road is not only about enforcement but for crime prevention.”

Kirk said a big part of the exercise is to find the illegal firearms that are “on the move.”

“We are trying to find the illegal firearms on the roadways.

“There are more initiatives being implemented that I cannot disclose because the criminals listen to the news as well.”

In the east, police head Claire Guy-Alleyne said operations in her division were also successful.

She said a total of 28 police co-ordinated exercises took place in her division, with 18 people being arrested.

She said some of the infringements were breaches of protection orders, outstanding warrants, possession of ammunition, obscene language and resisting arrest. One person was also found with 100 grammes of marijuana. In addition, 56 fixed penalty notices were issued.

She commended the public on their support for yesterday’s success.

“We were able to engage with the public and they co-operated with the roadblocks we had.

“No one seemed to be annoyed or impatient.”

She said approximately 60 officers were involved from her division in yesterday’s exercise.

Port of Spain division head Acting Snr Supt Raymond Thom said some major breakthroughs occurred during the July 18 exercises.

“We arrested some people with respect to robberies, one man specifically for the Facebook Marketplace robberies.”

Thom said 51 rounds of 9mm ammunition and an AR-15 magazine with ten rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were also found.

He said 39 fixed penalty tickets were issued, as road checks were conducted in the morning and afternoon.

Thom said over 100 officers from his division were involved in the police exercises but added it was a collaborative effort between the police, traffic wardens, municipal police and city police.

“This is a start to other things and it will be continuous.”

Benjamin thanked the division commanders and officers for their commitment and dedication.

All the division heads and Benjamin also thanked the public for their help.

“There are those who understood why we needed to do this and I’m sure when they see the results achieved, they would know it was worth it.”

Benjamin urged the public to join the police in the fight against crime.

“If you see something, say something.

“Let the communities and business owners that can work with the police get on board so we can fight the war that is crime together.”

Southern Division head calls for police-public partnerships

Snr Supt Brian Soodeen, the head of Southern Division, has renewed calls for the public to partner with the police to develop solutions to improve police-community partnerships.

Soodeen made the plea on July 18 at a road-check exercise at the South Trunk Road in La Romaine near the roundabout. This area borders the Southern and South Western Divisions.

The police held a man in connection with a report of housebreaking and larceny and recovered stolen items. No further information was given on the suspect or the report.

Officers also issued several tickets for various traffic offences and filled over 100 field interview forms.

The exercise was one of a series in the division in compliance with the CoP’s crime-reduction plan.

Soodeen said: “There will be inconveniences like traffic buildup, but this is an effort to make communities, divisions and TT a better place. It is in collaboration with other strategic exercises.”

Soodeen said apart from officers from both divisions; municipal police were also part of the exercise.

“It is an effort for the police to regain control of the streets.”

From 8 am, Southern Division police held exercises at various locations, such as Reform Road in Gasparillo and the Area East district, which includes Princes Town and St Mary’s.

The exercises caused traffic congestion.