A man has been arrested following a shooting incident which took place in Tobago on the morning of November 11.
A TTPS release said at about around 6.15 am, the victim of Arnos Vale Road, Plymouth, was at his workplace in Courland, Black Rock when he was approached by a man dressed in black and holding a gun.
The suspect fired several shots at the man and a struggle ensued between the two of them. The suspect subsequently fled through nearby bushes.
A report was made and several units responded, including officers from the Crown Point Police Station. The officers intercepted a silver Nissan Note car in the Black Rock area after a man, matching the description of the suspect, was seen inside.
The suspect was arrested and a Glock pistol seized. A subsequent operation led by ASP Bacchus and comprising officers of the Shirvan Road Police Station’s CID, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), and the Crown Point Police Station, resulted in the recovery of one magazine during a search of the bushy area at the scene.
Later that day, a search was conducted at the suspect’s residence at Plymouth, where officers found and seized six rounds of nine-millimetre calibre ammunition.
The suspect is detained at the Shirvan Road Police Station. PC Lewis is continuing investigations.
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has given pan arranger Kersh Ramsey a piece of land in his name at the Courland Estate, Black Rock.
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine presented Ramsey with an envelope containing details of the arrangement during Katzenjammers’ Steel Orchestra’s victory celebration at the band’s pan theatre, Courland Bypass Road, on September 13. The theme of the event was Future Forward.
Ramsey, who began arranging for Katzenjammers in 2023, carried the band to its third consecutive victory in the medium conventional band finals of the national Panorama competition at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, in February. He arranged the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) tune, Lying Excuses.
During the presentation, the audience, which included Katzenjammers’ players and supporters, erupted into applause.
Augustine said young people who are excelling in communities must be recognised.
“When young operate positively in a community, when young people recognise their talent and they use their talent for good, when young people work towards uplifting their family, their friends their village, we must honour them, we must celebrate them,” he said.
“When we look on the front pages, we see the news about crime, we see the news about those who exhibit anti-social behaviours. But when they do good, we must recognise and we must honour them.”
Speaking directly to Ramsey, Augustine said, “With this gesture, the Tobago House of Assembly is recognising all of your achievements to date. Given your age and your achievements, it means that the trajectory puts you above all of your contemporaries and all of those that are coming after. If Trinidad has Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, we have Kersh Ramsey.”
He said Tobago’s arrangers continue to make the island proud.
“If you look at the Tobago context, we can look at Kersh, we can look at Ojay (Richards), we look at Keishaun (Julien), we also look at Duvone (Stewart). I think Tobago is well on its way, when you look at the per capita ratio, we are producing by far better arrangers per capita than anywhere else in the country.
“So with this document, the Tobago House of Assembly is providing you with a piece of land in your name at the Courland Estate. The Courland Estate is part of Black Rock and I think it is a signal honour to a great son of Black Rock.”
Responding to the gesture, an emotional Ramsey said it showed that the island’s leadership was taking note of the contributions of young people.
He said the pan has been a part of his life since the age of four.
“I have used it to transform my life in a way that I couldn’t see but many persons saw my talent even before I could have realise.
People use to say, ‘Kersh, you have a special gift from God, you have a special talent. Use it wisely.”
Ramsey said although his talents have taken him to various parts of the world, Tobago will always be home.
“Katzenjammers is my heart and Tobago is my foundation.”
Thanking the band’s management team and supporters, the arranger also praised the players, whom he said, “give their heart and soul to every note and every performance.
“Without all of you, this moment will not be possible.”
Ramsey said taking Katzenjammers into the large band category of the Panorama competition will be a challenge.
“The large band category is a very big move. It is new ground. It is challenging and even a little scary for me who will be creating music night after night after night.”
But he said once he continues to be Katzenjammer’s arranger, the band will continue to make history.
Earlier, Augustine also revealed that the THA has agreed to ensure the band finally owns the property and land it has occupied at Courland Bypass Road since 2011.
“I was told that Katzenjammers occupied this space Christopher Columbus time. The place was built and you find the THA was taking too long.”
He said he looked at the file and saw the merit in enabling the band to transfer ownership of the 15,000 sq feet of land and property.
“So this is no longer just permission to use this place. This is beginning the process for you to own this place as yours. This now means that within about two week time, you could go the bank you could collaterise the land. But we have started the process of giving you total ownership of the land and property here at the Courland Estate.”
During the event special awards were presented to Glenroy Arthur, the oldest member of Katzenjammers; Jemma Duke, the band’s first female captain; and Maxson Ramsey, the drill master.
Katzenjammers’ manager Beverly Ramsey-Moore, who is also Pan Trinbago president, also received a special award from members for her contribution to not just the band but the country’s steelband movement.
DAYS after sharing his expertise at the second edition of a beach volleyball development camp at Courland Beach Sports Arena in Black Rock, Tobago, Brazilian volleyball coach Paulo Roberto Moreira da Costa has passed away at 56.
Da Costa spearheaded the four-day beach development camp from August 27-30, exposing over 50 athletes from eight countries to the intricacies of the game.
The camp concluded with under-18 tournaments in both the female and male categories on August 30.
The camp was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC), the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) and the TT Volleyball Federation (TTVF). Newsday understands Da Costa died on his way back to Chile, where he served as national coach.
TTVF president Daymian Stewart, the TTOC, the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) were among those who expressed shock on da Costa’s passing.
“It’s very unfortunate. It’s a sad time for us. He was a very progressive coach. He took Chilean volleyball to high levels in the world,” a sombre Stewart told Newsday on September 3.
“It’s sad for us. We’re privileged he spent the last moments of his life with us and contributed to us. Our condolences go out to his family and those he impacted in the volleyball world.”
Via a social media post on September 3, the TTOC also shared its condolences.
“It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Paulao, a man whose presence left an indelible mark on all who knew him. His passion for the sport and his selfless dedication inspired athletes, coaches and the wider community,” the TTOC’s post read.
“During his time with us in Tobago, Paulao gave more than his expertise – he gave kindness, patience and his unwavering belief in others.
“He taught by example, showing us the value of respect, hard work and love for the game.”
Widely known as Paulao, da Costa was a prominent figure for Brazil during his playing days, earning a bronze medal at the Beach Volleyball World Championships in 1997 alongside Paulo Emilio. After his transition to coaching, da Costa inspired teams to memorable performances on the world stage – most notably leading Italy’s men’s team to Olympic silver in the beach volleyball tournament at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and Chile’s teams to gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.
“Paulao earned respect for his results and for his passion, dedication and warmth,” a September 2 FIVB release said. “He raised Chile’s profile on the world stage and inspired many players and colleagues.
“The FIVB extends its deepest condolences to Paulao’s family and loved ones, the Chilean Volleyball Federation, Brazilian Volleyball Confederation and the South American volleyball community during this difficult time.”
RESIDENTS of Black Rock, Buccoo and Mt Irvine have given voice to their concerns over a proposed 200-room hotel project planned for land at Rocky Point in Tobago.
The Tobagonians spoke out as they attended the second public meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with respect to an application for a certificate of environmental clearance by Superior Hotels.
Superior Hotels is hoping to establish a 200-room hotel, bungalows, villas, private residences and other associated facilities on 11.99 hectares of land at Rocky Point, Shirvan Road, Mt Irvine.
The event was held at Merci Buccoo in Buccoo.
Speaking at the event, representative of the Rocky Point Foundation Duane Kenny said information provided showed that run-off from the project could go directly to the sea. He said that could threaten the health of the Buccoo Reef, surf and marine life.
“Does the developer require real-time third-party monitoring and response along with worst-case scenarios modelling before any site-clearance begins during the construction phase and after completion? Or are we prepared to risk the reef on hope alone?”
Ecoengineering Consultants Ltd spokesperson Dr George Sammy in response said the monitoring programme that was set up in the EIA included monitoring before construction began.
“It includes real-time monitoring during construction. It includes real-time monitoring during the occupancy phase. It does not specify that this should be done by a third party, but that requirement can be included in the final version of the EIA.”
Asked about the proposed sewerage system, Sammy said the off-site treatment of sewerage was not envisaged at the time of the certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) application noting that it was a new addition.
“Once WASA indicates to us that they will accept this sewerage, then the CEC application will have to be modified to include this new element arising out of the EIA.”
A representative from SOS Tobago expressed concerns about vegetation removal at the site, more particularly the manchineel tress. The representative said the trees were ecologically important as they provided habitat, stabilised the shoreline, and protected against erosion and run-off into the marine environment which was home to juvenile turtles. She said the removal of the trees could, therefore, have negative impacts.
Sammy said he understood the concern, noting that at present, there was no proposal to remove any vegetation.
Another SOS Tobago representative questioned the lighting on the beach area, which she said could deeply affect the turtles.
Dr Sammy advised her to await the full EIA to see the full analysis done.
A freak accident in Tobago has led to the death of 62-year-old Darryl Figaro, who fell from a ladder.
Police said Figaro, a private contractor of Mt Hay, Black Rock, was carrying out electrical work on the roof of a private villa in Bon Accord around 5.15 pm on Tuesday when he fell.
Sources said after the fall, Figaro, who was found bleeding from the nose and ears, was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital in an ambulance, where he was treated and warded in critical condition.
Reports said he died around 6 am on July 2.
An autopsy is expected to be done at the hospital’s mortuary. Tobago police are investigating.
THE girls from the Legion Cadets team will aim to continue their winning streak when Big 8 knockout action in the 2025 Trinidad and Tobago Football Association G-League competition kicks off this weekend.
In both the under-12 and under-14 categories, the Cadets topped the North-East standings with perfect records. In the under-12 category, the Cadets finished with 12 points from four matches, with Pro Series next on the standings with six points.
Meanwhile, in the under-14 category, the Cadets amassed 18 points from their six group games, with Trendsetter Hawks (15 points) and Pro Series (12 points) finishing second and third respectively. Last season, Trendsetter copped both the under-13 and under-15 G-League Big 8 crowns.
At UWI, St Augustine, on June 28, Cadets’ under-12 unit will square off against Black Panthers, who placed third in the Tobago zone. Also on June 28, Combined Ballerz, Tobago’s second-placed under-12 team, will face Gasparillo Youths, who placed second in the south zone.
On June 29, South’s under-12 winners Moruga Police Youth Club FC will face Pro Series, with Tobago champs Jewels SC taking on Point Pioneers.
In the under-14 age group on June 28, Trendsetter will face Moruga from 1.30 pm at UWI in an intriguing clash. Both teams placed second in their respective north and south zones. A day later, the surging Cadets will play Jewels SC who slipped to a third-place finish in the Tobago zone. South zone winners South Stars Academy will face Pro Series, who placed third in the north zone.
At Courland recreation ground in Black Rock, Tobago, on June 29, Black Panthers and Tobago Chicas will be keen to show they are the island’s best team in an all-Tobago clash.
At the end of the group stage, Gasparillo’s Mikaylee Francis and Cadets’ Xaria John topped the under-12 scoring charts with seven and six goals respectively. Meanwhile, in the under-14 category, Pro Series’ Shemaiah Toussaint led the way with a staggering 29 goals – over half of her team’s tally. Cadets’ Kyra Yee Loy was next on the scoring charts with 21 goals.
A Tobago man was shot dead on Turtle Beach, Black Rock, on March 25.
He has been identified as Vernardo George, of Pembroke. George was said to be an employee of Glencon Ltd.
According to reports, George was having lunch in a van with a colleague when four masked gunmen walked up and opened fire on him. He died on the spot.
He is Tobago’s third murder victim for 2025.
A video on social media showed George’s body slumped in the van.
An eyewitness could be heard saying, “This is not no joke thing. A man dead in the van. A man now come and kill the man on Turtle Beach. The man rock back taking he lunch hour and the youth man and them walk past we and watch we in we face. The youth man gone on he side (of the van) and open it (fire) on the man. Is not no joke thing, serious thing.”
OVER 130 athletes will feature at the 2024 Special Olympics Caribbean Initiative Regional Beach Games which gets under way in both Trinidad and Tobago, from November 8-10.
Fourteen countries have already confirmed participation and vie for top honours from six sporting disciplines for special athletes.
All events will be held on the beach and include bocce, cricket, beach soccer; beach volleyball, open water swim and an aquathlon.
The event’s theme is “Making Waves.”
The beach games also feature healthy athlete screening, a family health forum, a culture night and a family engagement workshop.
These events will be split between Trinidad and Tobago. Maracas Bay will feature beach bocce, soccer beach cricket as a “demonstration sport.”
Open water swimming and the aquathlon will be at Buccoo Beach while beach volleyball is proposed to be hosted at the Courland Beach Sports Arena in Black Rock.
A Special Olympics of TT (SOTT) statement said the Games was originally started by Kester Edwards, a former SOTT athlete from Tobago, who is now a manager of sport and development at Special Olympics in Washington, DC.
“Beach Games has been pioneered by SOTT since 2016. The event has grown from strength to strength each year, from the initial start with a cross harbour open water swim, beach volleyball and beach football, to the addition of other sports for diversity,” the statement read.
SOTT believes the Beach Games is TT’s “gift” to Special Olympics and its regional participants.
“We feel proud to have been identified to host the first Caribbean regional edition of the Games and feel confident in our ability to host the event as the pioneers of the only multi-sport beach games in Special Olympics.”
The participating countries are Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname; Arizona (US), Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, Guyana and TT.
THE Minority Council of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has sent condolences to the families of three women who died in a road accident over the weekend, and offered thoughts and prayers to the survivors.
Aaliyah Williams, 20; Makeda Fraser, 23; and Patrice Juli Webb were killed in a car crash in Black Rock on October 19.
Police said around 2.54 am, Dejorn Dookie was driving a white Nissan Latio along Shirvan Road when he collided with a silver Mitsubishi Lancer driven by Kino Kerr near Le Grand Courland Spa Resort.
Kerr was reportedly driving in the opposite direction.
Police said Williams and Fraser, who were in the Nissan Latio, as well as Webb, who was in the Lancer, died on impact.
Dookie, Kerr and another passenger, Ricardo Toussaint, were injured and taken to the Scarborough General Hospital.
Speaking at a press conference on October 21, THA Councillor Petal Daniel Benoit said, “Our thoughts and our prayers are extended to the families and loved ones of the deceased, and we also take the opportunity to wish a speedy and full recovery to the persons who are hospitalised from this unfortunate incident.”
Aliyah Williams, one of three victims of a road accident in Tobago on October 19. – Photo courtesy Facebook
Minority Leader Kelvon Morris also chimed in, saying he, too, wanted to send condolences.
“(I) also (want) to use this platform and this opportunity to remind people who are participating in carnival over the next week or so to be extremely careful on the nation’s highways and byways.
“We know it’s a festive season but at the same time, we ask that each and every one of you would be responsible in our very conduct.”
Both also offered condolences to former senator and deputy chief secretary Cynthia Alfred and former PNM Laventille West MP NiLeung Hypolite.
Daniel Benoit said, “She (Alfred) went on to meet her maker last week, and we offer our condolences to the family. It is a great loss to the People’s National Movement, as well as the people of Tobago.”
Morris hailed Alfred as a “PNM matriarch,” adding, “And (I) also (offer condolences) to the families of former government minister Mr NiLeung Hypolite as well.”
Hypolite, a two-term MP (2007-2010; 2010-2015), served as a parliamentary secretary in the Works and Transport Ministry.
THE COUNTRY’S road death toll for 2024 rose to 88 following a car accident which claimed the lives of three young women in Tobago early on October 19.
The victims have been identified as Aaliyah Williams, 20; Makeda Fraser, 23; and Patrice Juli Webb.
A police report stated that around 2.54 am, Dejorn Dookie, was driving a white Nissan Latio, PDY 6538, south along Shirvan Road when he collided with a silver Mitsubishi Lancer, PDK 9001, driven by Kino Kerr, near to Le Grand Courland Spa Resort, Black Rock.
Kerr was reportedly driving in the opposite direction, in the middle of the roadway.
Police said Williams and Fraser, who were among three occupants in the Nissan Latio, died on the spot. Webb, a passenger in the Lancer, also died on impact.
Dookie, Kerr and Ricardo Toussaint sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Scarborough General Hospital where they remain warded in serious condition.
Both cars were also severely damaged.
Visiting the scene were Insp Campbell, Sgt Yorke, Cpl Ewing, acting W/Cpl Ramsey and others. Cpl Elder and a team from the Criminal Records Office were also on the scene.
Commenting on the accident, head of the Tobago Division ACP Oswain Subero extended condolences to the families of the deceased on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, executive of the TTPS and his own leadership team.
Saying the investigators were trying to determine what caused the accident, Subero urged road users to be vigilant.
Makeda Fraser, one of three victims of a road accident in Tobago on October 19. – Photo source: Facebook
“Remember, you are not driving for yourself, you are driving for those in your care and for the other drivers on the roadway,” he said.
As the October carnival season enters its home stretch, Subero urged drivers to exercise caution.
“We are approaching the carnival season in Tobago and there is going to be a lot of activities throughout the island that involves many factors, such as long days, late nights, early mornings, alcohol. I want to plead with members of the public to please be vigilant and take all necessary precautions on the roadways.”
He said in light of the upcoming festivities, “The public can rest assured that law enforcement will be actively ensuring road safety and compliance of the laws.”
Subero also urged people to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
“Plan ahead by designating a driver or using alternative transportation if consuming alcohol.”
Drivers, Subero said, also must control their speed.
“It’s critical to prioritise safety over speed – arriving safely is more important than rushing. Rest when needed. Fatigue can be deadly.”
He said if drivers find that they are sleepy they should find a safe place to rest and contact someone to come for them.
Subero said drivers also must adapt to weather conditions.
“If visibility is impaired due to weather, pull over until it’s safe to continue.”
Police road safety co-ordinator Brent Batson said the country now has 88 road deaths compared to 85 for the same period in 2023.
“This just coming off reports of a woman that was killed by a driver who lost control of his SUV in Mayaro on Friday,” he said via WhatsApp.
Saying fatal accidents can be prevented, Batson said from a public safety standpoint, the police will continue their road policing efforts in enforcement.
But he said drivers “also need to operate vehicles understanding that unsafe use will quickly and easily result in severe injury or as we just witnessed in Tobago, death.”
Batson said speeding, lack of seatbelt use and driving under the influence continue to be the main threats to safety on the roadways.
He added the TTPS alongside partner stakeholders like Arrive Alive will continue efforts to change the unsafe and irresponsible practices often engaged in by some road users.
THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris said he was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic accident and his heart goes out to the families of the young women.
But he said as the carnival season approaches its climax, “it is crucial for all of us to remember the importance of road safety, particularly when alcohol is involved.”
Morris urged everyone to act responsibly as one poor decision can have irreversible consequences.
“Additionally, I encourage event promoters and bar owners to consider creating sober zones or alternative options to help ensure that no driver takes to the road under the influence so we can all enjoy this carnival safely.”
This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.
A ROAD ACCIDENT in Tobago on October 19 has claimed the lives of three people.
The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
Police said around 2.54 am, a white Nissan Latio with three occupants was travelling south on Shirvan Road when it collided with a silver Mitsubishi Lancer, near Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort, Black Rock.
Both vehicles were seriously damaged and three people were taken to the Scarborough General Hospital, where they later died.
TOBAGO police are investigating a shooting in Black Rock on July 22 which left a 28-year-old man from Plaisance Park, Pointe-a-Pierre, seriously injured.
According to police reports, around 11.25 pm, the man – Michael Holder, who now lives in Tobago – was walking towards his home when a man wearing a black hoodie approached.
The man pulled out a gun and fired several shots at Holder before escaping by running through some bushes.
Members of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) took Holder to the Scarborough General Hospital.
Investigations are continuing.
Contacted for comment, THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris said the upsurge in gun crimes across the island left him “extremely concerned.”
“We cannot and ought not surrender our beautiful island to these undesirables. It’s time to make criminals as uncomfortable as they are making law-abiding citizens. We need to take the fight to their blocks, drug dens, and the places they hide.
“At the same time, we must address the root problems, dealing with rogue parents and deviant behaviours in our schools. Something has to give.”
Morris said, “Enough is enough,” also pointing to a shooting over the weekend near his family’s home in Whim as well as another outside KFC in Scarborough. They were stark reminders that the island could not continue down this path of gun violence, he said.
“An entire village traumatised. Thankfully, we were spared the news of another tragic massacre, but the fact remains: Tobago, we have a problem, and that problem needs to be arrested by the efforts of us all.”
He had a word of advice for young men.
“Put down your guns and choose more positive and constructive pathways. Our community’s future depends on it.”
Parents and families, he said should take responsibility as well.
“Report known misconduct to the police. We must all come together to stop these miscreants from spoiling our villages and our beautiful island of Tobago.”
He said recently, he wrote to the Chief Secretary asking for a meeting of all stakeholders towards a united effort. Such a meeting, he said, is now more relevant and urgent given the continued reports of gun shootings across Tobago.
Newsday tried several times to contact THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, but all calls and messages went unanswered.
Speaking on the Tobago Updates morning show, ACP Collis Hazel said last month, the police seized six guns and several ammunitions off the streets of Tobago.
Hazel said since becoming ACP in Tobago, he has advocated for and received some units such as the IATF and the Guard and Emergency Branch in Tobago to help fight crime.
“They are here presently now operating as we build out some accommodations for permanency working there, in terms of supporting that issue.”
He said he has also brought on board the Fraud Squad.
“Persons don’t have to think about journeying to Trinidad or being afraid to make the reports at the stations. So we have the Fraud Squad operating at the Shirvan road Police Station and we have all the other units of the police unit for persons who can make complaints from time to time.
“All these units are available right here in Tobago, and from time to time we have been bringing on board, of course, the Riverine Unit – working closely with our marine life operations here, and all those environmental police, to treat with issues that are environmentally sensitive on this island.”
PROGRESSIVE Democratic Patriots (PDP) political leader Watson Duke says the National Security Council meeting held in Tobago on July 9 was big on optics but short on outcomes.
The Prime Minister, chair of the council, presided over the meeting, which was held at the Central Administrative Services – Tobago, in Scarborough.
It came in the wake of four murders in the village of Black Rock, which pushed the island’s murder toll for 2024 to 16. Tobago had 14 murders in 2023.
Among those attending were National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, other members of the Police Service’s executive, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, head of the Tobago Division, ACP Collis Hazel, Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk and THA Minority councillor Petal Daniel-Benoit.
Harewood-Christopher told a news conference that the Police Service is deeply concerned about the escalation in murders and other violent crimes in Tobago.
Saying it had implemented several initiatives to address the scourge, including deploying Guard and Emergency Branch and Inter-Agency Task Force officers, she said as of July 8, officers were also transferred to Tobago to train frontline officers.
Harewood-Christopher said the police will also increase their technological capabilities with the use of CCTV cameras as well as intelligence-gathering by way of cyber crime and additional forensic capabilities.
There will also be a greater focus on an intermingling of officers from Trinidad and Tobago to allow for greater effectiveness.
But speaking in a video posted on his Facebook page on July 9, Duke said the meeting had no measurable outcomes.
“The meeting held regarding Tobago’s safety and security, crime and criminality was a good meeting for optics. It shows the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary, they have come together, they have reconciled some level of differences,” he said.
“They have not met or discussed issues of a Tobago nature since the great ‘Audiogate’ scandal. So it was good for the optics.
“However, so far as it being prudent for the management of the criminal activities taking place in Tobago, I think it was not as desirable as we would have expected.
“There were no real outcomes that we can look forward to that the public can use to tell whether or not the plan is working, since there were no specific outcomes. There were no measurable outcomes. There were no achievable outcomes. There were no relevant outcomes.
“Therefore, it meant that the people of Tobago are still without answers.”
He said while Dr Rowley, Hinds, Harewood-Christopher and the other members of the National Security Council appeared disgusted and upset over Tobago’s worsening crime situation, “We have not heard the sound of decisiveness.
“We need to change the environment if we have to stop crime. We need to change the thinking if we have to stop crime.”
The July 8 massacre in Black Rock, Tobago is now a quadruple murder, after the fourth victim, Jomoke Duncan, died overnight.
The Bethel resident died of his gunshot wounds at the Scarborough General Hospital on July 8 around 9.30 pm. The three other victims – Ansleym Douglas, 56 of, Black Rock; Samuel McKain, 35, of Mt Pleasant; and Gregory Hamlet, 53, of Golden Lane – died at the scene of the shooting.
Police said around 12.04 am a group of men were playing cards near a business place at Black Rock when three gunmen approached and started shooting. The assailants then escaped in a silver Aqua car.
Tobago Business Chamber president Martin George made the statement on Monday following a triple murder in Black Rock. George said Tobagonians must take their head out the sand and realise the gravity of the situation.
George said, “Tobago, we have to stop making the excuses that we are accustomed to making. We have to stop saying that it is gangs from Trinidad infiltrating Tobago, we have to stop burying our heads in the sand whereby we refuse to acknowledge that we are raising and breeding our own home-grown bandits in Tobago.”
The island was left in a state of shock after three men were gunned down while gambling near the road in Black Rock early Monday morning.
The triple murder – the first in Tobago in recent times – has pushed the island’s 2024 murder toll to a record 15. Last year Tobago registered 14 murders.
The murders will be discussed today when the National Security Council meets at the Office of the Prime Minister, Central Administrative Services, Scarborough. The meeting will be attended by the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds and top cops.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Dr Rowley, who will chair the meeting, said Augustine was invited to the meeting on Friday.
According to police, around 12:04 am a group of men were playing cards near a businessplace at Black Rock when they were approached by three gunmen who opened fire. The assailants got into a silver Aqua car and fled the scene.
The three men – Ansleym Douglas, 56 of, Black Rock; Samuel McKain, 35, of Mt Pleasant; and Gregory Hamlet, 53, of Golden Lane – died at the scene. One man with gunshot wounds was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital for treatment. He remains warded in stable condition.
When Newsday visited Black Rock on Monday morning, there was little evidence of the slaughter that took place hours before.
Gregory Hamlet –
One neighbour, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said he knew Douglas personally as they grew up together.
“I know him quite well and I really don’t know him to be involved in anything. I know the whole family, but that young man is very, very quiet, always jovial, I don’t know him to be involved in anything negative. He’s always at home playing cards, he’ll cook; he’s always involved in that kind of recreation so there must be some other element.”
He believes that Douglas was not the intended target.
He cautioned residents to beware who they are interacting with.
“We encourage the outside elements that we know nothing about into your space – that is causing the challenge. We cannot sit down, it is at our doorstep, we have to do something about it.
“It has nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with religion – every single one of us must get involved and bring back our community.”
Another resident said: “I heard the shots. I was even more shocked to learn that it was Ansleym. He was such a humble guy – so sad. I mean, is my partner, we grow from small, so this is a real shocker for me.”
President of the Black Rock Village Council Learie Paul described the incident as disheartening. He said the council’s executive met two weeks ago and were looking at different intervention methods to combat crime.
“We decided that we were going to invite the police and social services to do an intervention in our community, so we’re looking at a suite of events to pull back our society.” He said they plan to also involve the churches as prayer was important.
He shared similar sentiments as residents.
Ansleym Douglas –
“Most importantly, what we are concerned about is how we hug up everybody, and that hug up could be an embrace of death. That to me is where the challenge is – where we have different people coming into the communities, we don’t know anything about them, and we are embracing them, and they bring their negatives with them.”
George said Tobago has reached the record books, but in a negative away.
“We have to face the reality that crime is at our front door, crime is at our doorstep and many of the perpetrators are persons we know – persons in our community, persons in our families, persons in our homes,” he said.
“Let us first of all acknowledge that responsibility and that reality before we can then begin to tackle the problem and deal with it.”
As a director at Crime Stoppers, George is urging Tobagonians to make use of the hotline. Citizens, he said, must start taking action. He said he supports the move by Augustine to implement a THA police unit.
“I also call upon the authorities and I certainly urge them to do their part. I urge the government to pass the legislation to proclaim the Tobago police bill or to make the necessary amendments to the THA Act so that you can have a supplemental police force in Tobago.
“I also call upon the TTPS and I call upon the Commissioner of Police because certainly we have to ensure that Tobago as the smallest police division is in a place that remains a safe space and a safe place for us all.”
Crime, he said, cannot be allowed to descend into the mayhem taking place in Trinidad where murders are rampant.
“At least let there be one area, one area in TT where persons can feel safe – let that be Tobago, and we all need to rally to that cause. We all need to recognise the seriousness of it and we all need to take decisive action immediately to stem this tide of crime and this blood-letting that is being unleashed for us in the beautiful island of Tobago.”
THA Minority Leader Kelvon Morris said his heart is heavy with grief.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this horrific event. This tragedy underscores the urgent need for a holistic and co-ordinated crime-fighting plan for Tobago to ensure the safety and security of all persons residing on our beloved island.
“Crime not only threatens our safety and security as residents, but it also affects our tourism. We must therefore come together as a community, working hand in hand with all stakeholders to create a safer Tobago.”
He said everyone needs to play an active role by adopting a zero-tolerance stance against criminals, whether they be friend or foe.
CHIEF Secretary Farley Augustine has been invited to a meeting of the National Security Council in Tobago on July 9. The meeting will take place at the Office of the Prime Minister, Central Administrative Services, Scarborough.
Tobago has been experiencing a wave of gun-related crimes which are threatening to destabilise the usually peaceful tourist destination.
On July 8, a triple murder in Black Rock pushed the island’s murder toll to 15, surpassing last year’s record total of 14.
In a Facebook post on July 8, Dr Rowley said he invited Augustine to the meeting on July 5. He travelled to Tobago on July 6.
Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds and police top brass will attend the meeting.
THE return. This could have easily been the theme of the 2024 edition of the Tobago Heritage Festival, which, for the first time in its 37-year history, runs for a month as opposed to the usual two weeks.
A few of the popular villages, including Les Coteaux, Black Rock and Pembroke, have opted out of this year’s event, for various reasons.
But others have returned to the festival and are eager to educate and entertain audiences with their respective presentations.
One such community is Golden Lane, which has not participated in 21 years. This year, the village returns on July 13 with its signature presentation Courtship Codes.
President of the Mt Cullane Cultural Group Gracie Phillips told Sunday Newsday the presentation deals with the trials men had to undergo many years ago to get a wife.
She explained, “When people used to be courting long ago, the girl’s parents had to be satisfied that the suitor had something worthwhile to offer so that he could maintain their daughter.”
Phillips said if the man had a large garden or a fishing boat, he stood a good chance of marrying the woman he had his eyes on.
Members of the public participate in the traditional Dancing of De Cocoa in Charlotteville Natural Treasures Day as part of the Tobago Heritage Festival in 2023. – Photo by David Reid
But those were not the only criteria. He also had to split a chunk of mora wood in half as proof of his virility.
“So regardless of what assets the men had, they always tested them with a piece of wood. They had to be strong enough to be the woman’s husband.”
She said in many cases, a woman might have more than one suitor, “But is the one who split the wood will get the lady.”
This year, Phillips said, the group will be putting a twist on the same theme. The production, titled, Buss D Wood: Reminder From the Silk Cotton Tree, takes place at the Golden Lane Government Primary School, Cottage Trace, on July 13, from 7 pm.
Phillips said the Mt Cullane group started participating in the festival in 1989, two years after its inception. The area comprises three small villages: Golden Lane, Culloden and Mt Thomas.
“At the time, we were trying to come up with a name, and somebody said for us to use a piece from all of them. That is how we came up with the name Mt Cullane.”
Asked why the group had stayed away from the festival for so many years, she said, “That is a question for the heritage committee, who normally chooses the villages to do the productions. They just said that Golden Lane will get a break and we would not be in.
“It was just that all along, until we got fed up and stopped sending in proposals. You are sending in proposals every year and nothing wasn’t happening.
“Last year, we sent and we sent one this year and it just so happen that we selected to be one of the villages for this year.”
Phillips urged people to attend the presentation.
“Mt Cullane is back on the calendar, so we want people to come out and refresh their memory about what courtship codes is all about. Come to see which man will buss the wood.”
She said a variety of local foods will be on sale.
Roxborough, which has been away from the festival for more than a decade, returns with its re-enactment of the 1876 Belmanna Riots on July 29. The riots erupted on May 1 when immigrant labourers from Barbados set fire to the Roxborough estate to protest low pay, poor working conditions and inadequate time off.
Two days later, a policeman named Cpl Henry Belmanna tried to arrest the arsonists but the crowds resisted and attacked him. Belmanna fired his gun into the crowd, killing a Barbadian woman, Mary Jane Thomas. A major riot outside the Roxborough Court House ensued and Belmanna was beaten to death.
The village’s production is being presented by the Roxborough Police Youth Club.
Technical co-ordinator Aliyah Brooks said Roxborough has traditionally done a stage production, but this year it has chosen street theatre to better capture elements of the riot, more than a century ago. She said the production will be an immersive experience with over 400 participants, comprising rioters, dancers, drummers
“We are ready and excited,” Brooks said. “We are planning to bring the production to life as it was back in the day of the actual riot.”
Moriah’s Ole Time Wedding takes place on July 20. – Photo by David Reid
Brooks said the police station, which was a focal point of the event, still stands today on Police Station Street.
“So there is a bit of history here still.”
She said although the village had not had a stage performance for more than ten years, it has participated in the Miss Personality competition, another highlight of the festival.
Mt St George, which has produced late cultural activist and former Senate vice-president Rawle Titus, has also made its way back to the festival after a lengthy hiatus.
The village council’s presentation, We Tambrin Story, will be held at the Hope Community Centre on July 24 at 7 pm.
Production manager Asabi Caterson said the play centres on the “vibrant, thrilling, mysterious” history of the tambrin. It comprises two acts, each of which is estimated to run for 40 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.
She added the play will be a unique blend of fact and fiction following a fictional love triangle of people who are called upon to perform at an important event in order to rebuild the tambrin culture on the island.
Caterson told Sunday Newsday, “The desires of the heart will take the main character through trials which show him that culture is more important than one’s personal gain, while intricately revealing some factual elements, such as the origins of the instrument and its varied, important uses.
“This provides the ability to take the audience on a journey filled with songs and dances associated with the beautiful instrument, which will be played live throughout the production. We hope this captivating story will help with the revitalisation of our once-beloved instrument.”
She said during the production, the village council also plans to pay tribute to some of the elders who played a key role in the development and preservation of the tambrin on the island.
Rehearsals are under way.
“Preparations are going well and while there is still much to do, under the guidance of the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd, our consultants and the hard work of our dedicated committee, we are confident that we will put on a great show.”
She said the neighbouring villages of Hope, John Dial and Goodwood are also assisting.
Also returning to the festival on July 14 is Mason Hall, with Games We Used to Play, at the Elizabeth Dennis Recreation Ground.
Culture lovers can also look forward to some perennial favourites.
These include Charlotteville’s Natural Treasures Day (July 15); Moriah’s Ole Time Wedding (July 20); and Plymouth’s Ole Time Carnival (July 27);
The Miss Tobago Heritage Personality Show and the Tobago Heritage Calypso Monarch competition will be held on July 11 and 27 respectively, at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex. The theme of the latter is Mouth Open, Tory Jump Out.
Some nine presentations were removed from this year’s calendar.
The festival, titled We Come Back, begins on July 1 with a thanksgiving service at the Scarborough RC School and culminates on August 1 with an Emancipation Day parade in Crown Point.
Other events
July 2 – Heritage Film Symposium
July 3 – Children’s Heritage Extravaganza, Shaw Park Complex
July 6 – Tobago Fireside, Bethany
July 9 and 10 – Heritage Office Décor Competition (THA Divisions)
July 11 – Miss Tobago Heritage Personality Show, Shaw Park Complex
July 17 – Yesterday’s Children
July 19 – Bachelor Night (Pork Tea Lime), Moriah Community Centre
THE removal of nine events from this year’s Tobago Heritage Festival is very concerning, says Watson Duke, political leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) and electoral representative for Roxborough/Argyle.
Speaking at a PDP press conference on June 20 at the party’s Scarborough office, Duke queried why events were taken off the calendar issued by the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd, describing the situation as “a sad state.”
“It has to do with people feeling lost in Tobago. People feel as though they are being disenfranchised by Farley’s administration. There is no longer the will of Tobagonians to pursue dreams, they are just lying down now and hoping to get some rest – no dreams.”
The festival starts on July 1 and runs until August 1 under the theme: We Come Back.
The events that were removed are the opening night gala, Store Bay’s Wake and Bongo, Black Rock Sea and Pan Festival, Belle Garden’s Belle Festival, Buccoo’s Goat and Crab Race, Goodwood’s Yam Festival, Pembroke Salaka Feast, Les Coteaux Folktales and Superstitions and Old Time Market, along with Scarborough’s Rumshop Lime.
“Personally, I know Pembroke – they were very good very good, with the heritage; Black Rock – they stood out from the rest, perfect in their demonstration of heritage; when we come to Les Coteaux – people would have left from all over, people hear about those jumbie stories and the old-time way of doing things.
“So it’s sad that after a few years in office, people are no longer interested in culture and the heritage, when one of the things about self-determination is that the cultural development of an island should always be left up to the people of the island to develop it.”
He added: “So don’t be surprised if you see Trinidadians coming here and keeping Heritage Village (sic), because that’s where his friends are, that’s where their friends are – in Trinidad.”
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine told the media on June 18 it was up to individual villages whether they participate in the annual Tobago Heritage Festival.
He said the festival had been around since 1987, and villages had always had the choice to take part or not.
THE water supply in Tobago East, particularly Charlotteville, will be much improved for the next dry season, says Brian Williams, head of WASA’s Tobago region.
In an interview on Tobago Updates on June 12, Williams acknowledged the challenges faced in providing water to some communities in hilly rural areas. He said some of the roads are so narrow that WASA trucks are unable to navigate them safely.
He said WASA has increased its fleet with smaller, 1,000-gallon trucks.
A partnership has also been formed with the fire service to help supply rural areas.
Williams said two projects in the pipeline will also bring huge relief to the communities: there are plans for a desalination plant in Charlotteville, to start by January 2025.
“That will allow for us to bring a continuous, sustainable, year-round supply to Charlotteville.
“The Charlotteville plant is carded to be installed by the end of this calendar year, so that by the start of the dry season next year we will have an alternative supply for Charlotteville.”
He said there are plans for similar plants for other troubled areas in Tobago East.
A water treatment plant in Goldsborough is expected to be operational within the same timeline, which will provide two million gallons of water from the Goldsborough river.
He added, “This will put us in a very good place as we approach the 2025 dry season.”
He acknowledged the harshness of the 2024 dry season, which he said affected river flow by as much as 80 per cent in some areas.
In addition, the Hillsborough Dam, a major reservoir, is 40 per cent full, way below its long-term average.
However, he remains optimistic, “The good news with our sources in Tobago (is that) in one day of rain, a lot could change.”
He said the Courland river, which supplies the majority of the high-density southwest of the island, from Plymouth, Black Rock to Crown Point, was also negatively affected.
This was a cause for concern, as that area is a “tourism belt,” with many hotels and other major infrastructure such as the ANR Robinson International Airport, health centres and schools.
He said the development of wells under the Ministry of Public Utilities helped mitigate the situation. The programme connected well fields to Crown Point.
But that line was damaged late in the dry season during the construction of the highway to Crown Point.
However, he boasted that this was repaired in five days and the requests for truck-borne water in Crown Point decreased from 32 a day to two.
Williams said WASA’s Tobago supply is about 50-50 from surface sources and groundwater sources. He said the authority is very aggressive in its groundwater development programme, as this is more resilient against harsh dry seasons.
The plan at the start of the dry season, he said is for reservoirs to be at capacity. This year’s dry season was hotter than normal,day and night, so evaporation further depleted the reservoirs.
Williams acknowledged that ageing infrastructure resulting in leaks had been a factor, but said WASA is aggressively tackling it.
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