[UPDATED] Business community calls for action against crime: Criminals making mas

Friday 25 February 2022

An aerial view of Port of Spain. Photo by Jeff K Mayers

ONE day after businesswoman Nicole Moses was killed, two business chambers are calling for serious actions to be taken to address crime in the country.

The TT Chamber of Industry and Commerce in its media release on Friday, condemned what it said was a recent spate of violent crime, including murders and called on the Government and police to address it.

“We call on Dr Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago as the head of the National Security Council, the Minister of National Security and the Acting Commissioner of Police to address this increase in crime with a swift and effective action plan to eliminate the recent criminal activities in our society.

On Thursday Moses, 49, a businesswoman, was killed after two men stormed her home at Cherry Crescent, Westmoorings.

Police reported that at around 8.15 am two bandits, Jahmali Haywood, 21 and Joshua Blackman, 24, jumped over the front wall.

Moses and her mother called for help and a male relative, who is the owner of a licensed gun, came to their rescue. During the confrontation Moses, the owner of Classy Fabrics was shot. She was taken to the St James Medical Complex where she was declared dead on arrival.

Haywood of Second Caledonia, Morvant and Blackman of Upper Erica Street, Laventille were shot by the gun owner and died at the scene.

President of the San Juan Business Association Jason Roach, in a release headlined, "Post blackout; criminals playing a mas," said there needs to be serious action taken to deal with the continuing rapid increase of crime. In the interim, he called for increased joint police and army patrols in all communities.

Last Wednesday, following the killing of an armed bandit by police, another member of the San Juan Business Association Abraham Ali lamented that there was an increase in criminal activity in the Aranguez and El Socorro areas.

According to police reports, at about 1.10 pm, police received a report of a robbery at Reliable Appliances in Boundary Road, El Socorro. When officers arrived, they saw Denille Robinson, who was left behind by his gang.

He reportedly fired at the officers who returned fire. He was shot and taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he died while being treated.

The bandits came in three vehicles, spilt up and robbed the workers at Samaroo's, Reliable Appliances, Carpet World and AEC Scaffolding simultaneously.

Referencing that incident, the TT Chamber said Moses’ killing took place days after businessman Brian Manswell and his staff at Reliable Appliances were attacked and beaten by bandits. It added that while such incidents impact members of the business community, citizens of TT are also affected by the increase in criminal activity.

On February 5, Andy Hosein a Venezuelan university lecturer, who worked as a security guard was shot in the back and killed during a robbery at a jewellery store in San Fernando.

Days later Simeon Justin Clarke, 23, of King’s Wharf, San Fernando was charged with murdering Hosein.

The TT Chamber called on both sides of the political divide to set their political affiliations aside and pass effective legislation to help the authorities combat violent crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.

"We call on lawmakers and those governing our country to set aside partisan positions to put in place the legislation that will protect us."

The Chamber noted that Moses’ killers collectively had 21 pending charges for robberies, home invasions and larceny and asked how these men were allowed to be out in public on bail

“It is of concern that in the most recent murder, two of the perpetrators collectively have 21 pending charges for robberies, home invasions and larceny. This fact highlights the loopholes in our justice system and we ask the question: How were these men allowed to continue to circulate in public because of bail entitlements? In this regard, the Chamber also calls for urgent action on bail reform and other elements of our justice system.”

"The Government needs to act swiftly and urgently to eradicate this level crime in the country that continues to put fear and heartache on the shoulders of our law-abiding citizens. The way we are today cannot be the way we go forward."

Roach pointed out that all citizens are affected by crime saying: “Public safety is at stake. It does not matter whether we are one per cent or 99; we certainly cannot feel inspired with recent developments through the closure of Special Operations Response Team (SORT). We cannot take comfort with no clear sight in the appointment of a permanent commissioner of police.”

This story was originally published with the title "Chamber demands action on crime" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

THE Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce condemned a recent spate of violent crime, including murders.

The chamber called on the Prime Minister, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob "to address this increase in crime with a swift and effective action plan to eliminate the recent criminal activities in our society."

It also called on the Government and Opposition to set politics aside and pass effective legislation to help the authorities combat violent crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.

These calls were contained in a statement issued by the Chamber on Friday.

Referring to the murder or businesswoman Nicole Moses in Westmoorings on Thursday, the chamber described her killing in the presence of her children and family as barbaric.

"This incident occurred a few days after Brian Manswell and his staff at Reliable Appliances were also attacked and beaten by bandits." While these incidents affect members of the business community, the chamber said, "Citizens of TT have also been affected by the increase in criminal activity."

In the case of Moses' murder, the Chamber observed two of the perpetrators collectively had 21 pending charges for robberies, home invasions and larceny. It asked how these men were allowed to be out in public, on the basis of being granted bail.

"We call on lawmakers and those governing our country to set aside partisan positions to put in place the legislation that will protect us." The chamber stressed the need for urgent action on bail reform and other elements of the justice system.

"The Government needs to act swiftly and urgently to eradicate this level crime in the country that continues to put fear and heartache on the shoulders of our law-abiding citizens."

The chamber expressedits willingness to collaborate with the Government to address crime.

"The way we are today cannot be the way we go forward."