POLICE are investigating two separate reports of rape involving an 18-year-old in Enterprise and a 20-year-old in La Brea over the weekend.
According to reports, around 12.30 am on January 25, an 18-year-old woman was walking along Enterprise Street, Chaguanas, when she was approached by a man who identified himself as “Malcolm.”
Police said the woman, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time, agreed to accompany the man to his home. On arrival, the man allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent.
The suspect is described as being of African descent, slim-built, dark in complexion, and approximately five feet, six inches tall. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
Investigations are ongoing, and police said the man was later identified.
In an unrelated incident, a 20-year-old woman from La Brea told police she was raped by her stepfather at their home on January 24.
The victim reported that around 11.30 am on January 24, she was changing her clothes in her mother’s bedroom when her stepfather entered and assaulted her. She made a formal report at the La Brea Police Station at around 5.30 pm on January 25.
The woman was taken to the Siparia District Health Facility for a medical examination. While the medical report noted no visible external injuries, it documented active internal bleeding and abrasions believed to have been inflicted by a sharp object.
ATTORNEY GENERAL John Jeremie said US Navy strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking out of Venezuela were consistent with international law, based on advice he received from an international legal expert outside his office.
Speaking with reporters on January 14, at the UNC headquarters in Chaguanas, Jeremie said he sought external legal advice from an international expert outside the Office of the Attorney General before arriving at his conclusion.
“My first look at it, and the advice I took, is the strikes were consistent with international law,” he said. “That was the advice given to me by an international expert.”
Jeremie declined to identify the expert or to discuss the substance of the advice, saying he could not do so without going into its “meat and bones”.
Pressed by reporters on whether two Trinidad and Tobago nationals were killed in the strikes, Jeremie said he had no information to support that claim.
“Even now, I do not know that any TT citizen was killed in any strike,” he said.
Asked whether those actions complied with international law, particularly in relation to due process or whether the absence of due process could be reconciled with international legal standards, Jeremie declined to elaborate, saying he could not answer without disclosing privileged legal advice.
“I’ve done my job, which is to ensure the republic acts in accordance with the law.”
Jeremie added he had conveyed his advice to the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar but would offer no further comment.
Questions were also raised if US military assets were deployed from TT to facilitate the boat strikes or the reported capture of former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on January 3.
Jeremie also had no comments.
Whilst acknowledging US military personnel had been present in TT, Jeremie insisted their presence was not a secret and was unrelated to the strikes.
“We had marines visiting schools and conducting training exercises, intense training exercises, on their own and with our Defence Force,” he said.
He said statements issued on the day of the strikes by the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Defence made it clear that TT had no involvement in those operations.
A 28-year-old man from San Fernando has been arrested for speeding, driving under the influence, and failing to produce a driver’s permit.
He is expected to appear before a Chaguanas magistrate on January 15, facing several traffic charges.
The suspect was caught around 1 pm on January 14, driving on the northbound lane of the Uriah Butler Highway in Chaguanas.
Effective January 1, the government introduced stricter traffic fines and penalties, including increased fines for several offences, with some penalties now doubled.
According to police, officers from the Highway Patrol Task Force (HPTF), led by Snr Supt Daly and Supt Matthews, were carrying out a speed enforcement operation when they detected the vehicle moving at 143 kilometers per hour (km/h), 43 km/h over the speed limit for the highway.
When officers stopped the vehicle, the situation escalated.
They noticed the scent of alcohol on the driver’s breath, prompting a breathalyser test. The test revealed a reading of 64 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 29 microgrammes above the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Further checks revealed that the driver could not produce a valid driver’s license and allegedly had never been issued one by the Licensing Authority.
The police service is urging all drivers to practice safe and responsible road use.
With Carnival 2026 activities in full swing, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has ordered increased road policing operations nationwide.
The Home Store has closed its Chaguanas branch, just one day after MovieTowne shut down operations in Tobago.
In an announcement on January 5, The Home Store cited “the continued decline in the economy” as the reason for closure. This comes after the store closed its East Gates Mall, C3 Centre and The Falls at Westmall branches in 2025.
The store’s Barataria branch and its two branches in Guyana remain open.
The Home Store’s parent company, LJ Williams, recorded a total comprehensive loss of $875,000 for the period for the six months ending September 30.
Its loss for the same period in 2024 was $974,000.
The company’s turnover fell to $71.35 million from 2024’s $73.30 million
While acknowledging the improved loss margin, chairman Lawford Dupres said weaker consumer spending and limited access to foreign markets continued to challenge the distribution side of the business.
As a result, operational adjustments included a reduction in the number of outlets so resources could be focused on higher-performing locations and reduce overhead costs.
Its condensed financials, published November 6, recorded $71.355 million in sales, but its operating profit of $2.14 million was offset by finance costs of $2.63 million.
The group said foreign exchange availability will remain a key factor for the business and management will focus on cost control and the outlets that have proven “greater promise” in the coming months.
Although not stating a reason for the closure, MovieTowne’s announcement comes after widely reported legal battles with its Port Authority landlords.
In August 2024, the company’s lease holder, Trinidad Commercial Development Company Ltd, paid $3 million to the authority after a court order. The Port of Spain and San Fernando branches remain in operation.
The economic viability of MovieTowne’s Tobago branch has been a cause of concern for quite some time, with rumours of its closure rampant since the covid19 pandemic.
MovieTowne currently has a buy one, get one (BoGo) promotion from January 5-31, from Monday to Friday, in Trinidad. Patrons can buy one movie ticket and get another free. On weekends, the BoGo promotion will continue at DinoWorld and any three park rides in the carousel will cost $100.
On March 19, 2026, Presentation College, Chaguanas, will celebrate its 67th anniversary.
The St Ives Street school has been known for its academic and sporting achievements, but over the last eight years, its accomplishments in a new field have been making headlines.
The school first entered the First Robotics Challenge in 2017 and has been competing and performing well ever since.
The First Robotics Challenge attracts competitors from almost 200 countries.
The school was there from the beginning, fielding a team in 2017 for the inaugural challenge in Washington, DC, US.
The team placed 16th out of the 163 countries. Then in 2018, they went to Mexico City. In 2019, Dubai. There was no competition in 2020 owing to the covid19 pandemic. And, in 2021, they participated in a virtual competition. In 2022, Geneva, Switzerland and in 2023, Singapore, where they copped the Storytelling Award, the Helping Hands Award, as well as the Social Media Award.
In 2024, in Athens, Greece, they placed third overall.
The team went to Panama City, Panama, in October and, for the first time, collaborated with students from St Augustine Girls’ High School.
The school has won the Social Media Award for three consecutive years since 2023 and also got an honourable mention for videography and storytelling.
On December 14, the club held its Christmas celebration.
The event took place at the seasonally decked-out school auditorium.
The theme for the night was recognising the students, their parents, the staff and everyone who supports the team.
It was also a celebration of everyone who participated and whose support took the robotics teams to Singapore (2023), Greece (2024) and in October, Panama.
In attendance were former CEO of the Catholic Education Board of Management Sharon Mangroo, former principal Mylene Seemungal, principal Dr Rene Wihby, vice principal Lynette Boodoo and Sunil Moonasar, secretary of the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce.
The masters of ceremonies for the night and organisers were team advisers, IT teacher Tricia Singh and physics teacher Collin Samaru.
Singh and Samaru were also hailed for their steadfast contribution; they are described as the “sine qua non” of the robotics club.
The 2025 First Global Robotics Challenge project from Presentation College Chaguanas gets off the ground.
Kovid Capildeo, of Team Greece, said to the advisers, “Your indispensable work has been nothing short of transformative. You have been the engineers of change at the level of the student, the school and indeed the country. You not only stood with us, pushing us to become better competitors, but also better thinkers, better collaborators and better young men. Your commitment — calm, steady and tireless — has engineered us to become ready for the global future. Indeed, your work goes on having an impact on us long after we move away from this phenomenal school called Presentation College. We are eternally indebted to you both.”
Upper Sixth Form student Raed Ali, 18, a member of Team Panama, spoke to Newsday before the start. He has been a member of the club for four years.
The club, he said, is open to every student and has over 50 members.
Ali hopes to study electrical and computer engineering at UWI, but his dream is to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a leader in the field.
Ali said robotic technology is the future.
He said he admires the commitment of every team member who sacrificed their time to prepare for the competition.
“During the July/August vacation, it’s every day.”
He added, “Everyone in Robotics Club has a voice.’
Parent Sarah Mohammed spoke on behalf of the mums, dads and siblings who support the team.
She said it fills their hearts to support their robotics boys. There is a brotherly bond that comes from having a support system at home and at school.
She said they will always support the robotics club.
Throughout the night, there were trivia questions on the history of the club, and winners werepresented with trophies made from parts of the robots. The club also presented tokens of appreciation to supporters and stakeholders.
Presentation College, Chaguanas’ robotics team members pose with their third-place medals from the 2024 First Global Challenge in Greece.
In 2026, the Robotics Club would like more schools to get involved in robotics.
“Team Trinidad and Tobago should not only be us. Yes, we have very bright lights here. But I’m certain, as well as all of you, that there are also bright lights elsewhere,” Wihby said.
They will begin preparations for the 2026 First Robotics Challenge in the new year.
Two men were murdered in separate shootings in La Brea and Chaguanas on December 20.
Labourer Shaquille Daniel, 29, of Kern Street, Guapo, was gunned down in Chinese Village, La Brea, while the other victim, Chivonne Millet, was shot dead inside a car on John Street, Montrose, Chaguanas.
In the first fatal shooting, around 1.40 am, Daniel was liming at the home of a shop owner on Rig Road, La Brea, who was about to close.
Upon hearing dogs barking in the yard, Daniel went to check, and moments later, two gunmen were seen on the compound.
A gunshot was fired, and Daniel’s body was later found in the living room.
Police from the South Western Division and the Homicide Bureau, Region Three, responded and gathered evidence.
Meanwhile, in the Central Division, Millet was also declared dead at the scene.
No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
A 71-YEAR-OLD woman, from Cunupia, was robbed on the afternoon of December 16 after an incident that police said began as a deliberate car collision along Narsaloo Ramaya Road, Endeavour, in Chaguanas.
According to police, around 1.45 pm, the retiree was driving her Honda Vezel along the road when a white station wagon crashed into the rear of her SUV, causing her to stop.
She was then approached by a man who had gotten out of the back seat of the station wagon.
The man then placed his hands around the woman’s neck and announced a robbery, causing her to fear for her life.
The assailant stole a gold bracelet valued at $5,000, a brown purse containing $500 in cash, and several personal items, including her driver’s permit and identification card.
After the robbery, the suspect returned to the waiting car, which drove off in the opposite direction.
Police were alerted shortly after and officers from the Chaguanas Police Station took a report from the elderly victim.
Despite searching for the suspect, his accomplices and the car, no arrests were made.
ONE man is dead, and a woman hospitalised after a shooting in Enterprise, Chaguanas, on the night of December 4.
Shakeem Breedy, 25, of Circular Drive in Enterprise, was declared dead at 7.44 pm at the Chaguanas Health Centre.
Minutes earlier, at around 7.30 pm, Breedy and the woman were at her home, in the same community, in the front gallery, when two men, both with guns, got out of a black Nissan Tiida.
The gunmen ran into the gallery and opened fire on the two, hitting both.
The gunmen returned to the car and escaped.
A passer-by took Breedy and the woman to the Chaguanas Health Facility, where Breedy later died.
The woman was transferred to the Mt Hope hospital and was said to be in stable condition.
Police from the Central Division and the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, Region Three, visited the scene and gathered evidence.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
The fatal shooting was the second in the community in the past few weeks.
On November 22, welder Dwayne Baynes, 33, was riding a bike along Mano Trace, near Crown Trace in Enterprise, when he was shot.
Baynes, of Crown Trace, Enterprise, died at the scene.
Police were unable to say if both killings were related.
THE government has started its park-and-ride survey as it seeks to transform the transportation system.
The formal survey was unveiled on the government’s communications page where it asked the public 12 questions about their travelling habits.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Eli Zakour announced the administration’s plans to launch the survey as well as shared the proposed park-and-ride system from Arima, Chaguanas, Couva and San Fernando, where people can park vehicles at safe locations and take a bus or maxi to Port of Spain, in a post-Cabinet media briefing on November 20.
Park and ride is not a new concept to Trinidad and Tobago and was popularised by former Port of Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing in 2012.
That year he announced a park-and-ride system for the city which was a part of a wider traffic control experimental scheme for Woodbrook.
In a phone interview on November 23, Lee Sing commended the government’s plan, saying that TT was a “broke” country and did not have money to implement new initiatives.
“People in the past, every idea they had was to build something. But you can’t build roads if you have no money and no resources to do so, and, more importantly, the resources to maintain the existing roads that you have.”
He said the government’s proposed initiative treated with the fact that there is a scarcity of resources and the government applied the next best technique: finding creative ways with its traffic management.
“This gives us the opportunity to have greater use of the roads and the resources that they have. It gives us an opportunity to truly become efficient in the provision of bus services, maxi taxi and the organisation of maxi taxi services.”
He said the scarce financial resources could be beneficial in the long run.
“If there isn’t any money, we cannot engage in willy-nilly planning, programmes and building wild things.
“What we have to do is create the kind of traffic management that will utilise the kind of resources we have on the ground.”
Lee Sing recalled his Port of Spain traffic management being abruptly stopped by the first Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration.
“To date, everyone in west Trinidad and people who have to traverse Port of Spain into Diego Martin, into Carenage, they meet me by the scores and they all say, ‘That was the best plan.’
“For me, it is not whether it was my plan or Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s plan. What matters is that we introduce such plans and programmes that are in the best interest of the country in the most cost-effective way.”
He said the plan could also be used along the east-west corridor.
Lee Sing said from Sixth Avenue Barataria to Boundary Road, Croisée, there could be a traffic management plan where vehicles go one way.
“And you use the Eastern Main Road in the afternoons to go east because people are going in there and you use it, conversely, in the mornings to go west.”
The same idea could be applied to Curepe and Tunapuna, he said.
However, it required pedestrians and road users to become familiar with new rules and regulations, he added.
Lee Sing said serious traffic management, rules, regulations and policing could get TT to where it desired.
He described the government’s park-and-ride plan as progressive and asked that the country allow the plan to breathe.
“We should not go and think, ‘It ain’t working.’
“It will take time for it to work. The only way it could work properly is if we could give the plan life.
“I commend the government or whoever is responsible for it. I think it is timely and they should begin to pursue other more aggressive forms of traffic management.”
A man who was charged with robbery with violence, firearm possession, and shooting with intent in a 2016 incident along Soogrim Trace, Chaguanas, which led to a shootout with police, was discharged after prosecutors failed to comply with a High Court scheduling order.
Master Delicia Bethelmy discharged Ron Marchan on November 21, which was supposed to be the start of the sufficiency hearing after defence attorney Bhimal Maharajh asked for the matter to be dismissed under the Criminal Procedure Rules, which allow for a discharge for non-compliance.
In February, Bethelmy had ordered police to submit the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) by March 19, with the filing of an indictment, witness statements and other documentary evidence due on June 27 and defence responses by July 25. Submissions were to follow in October, ahead of the sufficiency hearing. At the November 21 hearing, Maharajh argued that the State’s failure to meet the deadlines was “unfair and unjust” to the accused.
Bethelmy found that the State did not meet the deadlines of the scheduling order and discharged Marchan.
Police had accused Marchan of taking part in a February 10, 2016, attack at Seecharan Used Cars along the Uriah Butler Highway in Charlieville, Chaguanas, where a watchman was allegedly dragged from a vehicle, beaten by four men and tied up and sprayed with a liquid in his eyes. Officers later found him bound on the floor after an anonymous caller alerted the Chaguanas Police Station.
The attackers fled in a black Nissan Almera, leading to a high-speed chase along Soogrim Trace, and the car later crashed into an embankment where the suspects allegedly opened fire at officers who attempted to stop them. Police said one suspect, described as a known gang member, was shot in the exchange and later died. His three accomplices escaped across the highway. A pistol was recovered at the scene.
Marchan was arrested one week later, on February 17, 2016, and the case was first brought in the magistrates’ court before being transferred to the High Court under the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act.
After Marchan was discharged, a police prosecutor placed on record that the complainant had complied with the portion of the order requiring the file to be sent to the DPP.
LOCAL Government and Rural Development Minister Khadijah Ameen has called on regional corporations to be “innovative and proactive” in securing funding for infrastructure and security projects, saying they should not rely solely on government subventions.
Ameen was speaking at the commissioning of the refurbished Tunapuna/Piarco Municipal Police Post and the launch of the corporation’s Building Trust Through Vigilance programme on November 20.
The initiative includes an expanded CCTV surveillance system and a new dedicated monitoring room under the ongoing Eagle Eye project.
She urged other corporations to come forward with plans and development proposals so her ministry can support the creation of purpose-built municipal police facilities.
“Every regional corporation must be innovative. Don’t just put aside a room for municipal police: build an entire municipal police post. Bring the land and plans. We will secure funding through public-private partnerships.”
The new station now accommodates 44 municipal police officers and includes an upgraded reception area, charge room, processing area, secure cell block, and administrative offices.
Ameen said the improved environment must translate into improved public service.
“This station now reflects the professionalism and dignity our officers and citizens deserve. You have an uplifted workplace, so you must uplift the standard of service.”
She reminded officers that modern surveillance tools enhance public trust, not public intrusion.
“The system is not about watching people: it is about protecting people. Early detection prevents crime. Quick response saves lives.”
She added real-time monitoring gives residents peace of mind and supports disaster response.
Ameen linked the new surveillance unit to the Prime Minister’s national agenda for safer communities through smarter technology, noting the Tunapuna/Piarco region’s high population, commercial activity, major transport routes, and cultural hubs.
She said the launch is an investment in the corporation’s stability and the economy of its people. Ameen also urged officers to prioritise the core duties of municipal policing, including enforcement related to corporation assets, litter prevention, and illegal dumping.
She cautioned against municipal officers being routinely diverted into general TTPS operations.
“I don’t want our municipal police doing breathalyser tests or routine roadblocks. They have plenty of work to do with the regional corporation.”
Municipal police, she added, operate under the direction of civilian leadership, chairmen, councils, and CEOs, which differentiates them from national police structures.
Ameen said the region, which spans Blanchisseuse to Monroe Road, Chaguanas, and Mount Hope and houses over 250,000 residents, still needs more municipal police. However, she stressed suitable accommodation must be prioritised.
“We will continue to train and assign officers. But where will you put them? The health and safety of office spaces must be your priority.”
She thanked the officers stationed in Tunapuna/Piarco for their service, noting their ongoing support for community and cultural events.
PC Zion Ali shows Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC), Josiah Austin, videos from eagle-eye cameras during the commissioning ceremony at TPRC police post, Centenary Street, Tunapuna, November 20. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale
Corporation chairman Josiah Austin said the refurbishment signals a renewed commitment to public safety.
He said the upgraded facility represents “renewed purpose, operational capability, and a deep commitment to protecting the people of the region.”
Austin described the refurbished station as a key pillar of a wider TPRC development programme aimed at improving infrastructure, boosting police readiness, and strengthening community safety.
“Officer wellness and proper accommodation are central to effective policing, and today we proudly deliver a facility worthy of the men and women who protect our region.”
He said the station’s refurbishment is directly linked to the corporation’s acquisition of new municipal police vehicles under the same development programme. Together, he said, the investments form “one integrated upgrade” of municipal policing capability.
“With a modernised building, expanded CCTV monitoring, and a strengthened vehicular fleet, our officers are now equipped with the tools they need to carry out their duties with greater speed, efficiency, and professionalism.”
Speaking on the Project Eagle Eye CCTV monitoring system, Austin said the system now monitors over 400 cameras across the region and represents a major leap forward in intelligence-led policing.
He said it will provide real-time situational awareness, support patrols, deter criminal activity, and help keep municipal police “one step ahead of criminal elements.” The system will also be used to detect public health offences, including illegal dumping in hotspot areas.
“In this heightened national environment, the TPRC is not retreating. We are responding with innovation, investment, leadership, and strengthened partnerships with the police.”
He described the refurbished station, expanded CCTV capacity, and additional vehicles as “timely investments that support the national effort to restore safety, stability, and public confidence.”
Austin appealed to residents to play their part in public safety, saying information can prevent criminal acts, protect families, and safeguard neighbourhoods, stressing community vigilance remains a key pillar of crime prevention.
THE government has approved the increase in the permissible age of importation of foreign-used private cars, SUVs, sedans and station wagons powered by gas, diesel or CNG, from three years from the date of manufacture, to eight years.
It has also increased the permissible age of light commercial vehicles, pickups and panel vans using diesel engines, from seven years and under, to ten years and under from the date of manufacture.
The announcement was made at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre in Port of Spain on November 20.
Minister of Transport and Public Aviation Eli Zakour also announced the Cabinet approval to establish a regulatory framework for the registration and management of classic, antique and vintage vehicles in TT.
“Currently there is no legal framework in TT for the recognition, registration and regulated use of classic, antique and vintage vehicles. This has restricted the lawful use of such vehicles and limited economic potential,” he said.
Zakour said the Ministry of Transport, guided by international best practices, proposed the establishment of a ministry-led policy and legislative framework to regulate the sector, beginning with a formal classification and registry system.
Asked whether the extension of the age of vehicles would lead to higher traffic congestion on the road, Zakour said buying a car was a “personal choice.”
“If someone wants to buy a vehicle they can buy one; if they wish to use public transport they can as well.
“By extending the age of vehicles, more people would have the opportunity to afford a vehicle.”
Zakour said the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure is working on enhancing the road network and his ministry is currently working on public transport, noting that he inherited the PTSC in “a very bad position.”
“I have said it in a post-Cabinet (before). When I entered office, 71 routes had been discontinued. There are only about 100 buses versus a need for about 300 buses. We are working tirelessly to improve the state of public transport in TT.”
Zakour also announced plans to launch a park and ride survey, where the government proposes a park-and-ride system from Arima, Chaguanas, Couva, San Fernando, to Port of Spain, where people can park vehicles at safe locations and take a bus or maxi to Port of Spain. He said he would make an official announcement through a media release on November 21.
A Malabar man has been granted $75,000 bail on allegations he robbed a woman at the Price Club supermarket in Chaguanas on November 14.
Nickail Julien, 35, of Mahogany Drive, Malabar, appeared before Master Rhea Libert on November 20, on a robbery with aggravation charge which alleges that he and two other people, robbed a woman of two gold beras (bracelets) and a gold chain, using violence. The jewellery was said to be worth $15,500. It is alleged the woman was robbed while packing groceries in her vehicle at the supermarket’s carpark.
Two men grabbed the jewellery and escaped in a black SUV. Prosecutors objected to bail based on 25 pending matters listed on Julien’s criminal record. However, his attorney Bhimal Maharajh argued that his client has consistently attended court for all matters, noting that no warrants were ever issued for his arrest.
Maharajh told the court that Julien was hired as a driver for a private job and had no knowledge of the alleged robbery. Libert transferred the case to the Chaguanas District Court and granted Julien $75,000 bail. Julien must report to the Malabar Police Station every Friday and is required to stay away from the alleged victim.
The matter is scheduled to be heard at the Chaguanas court on December 16.
A CHAGUANAS mother and retired nurse has been permitted to advance a judicial review claim which seeks access to details of the police investigation into the death of her only daughter, Maria Kathleen Smith, in 2021.
Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams granted leave to Rosanna Smith to challenge the decision of the Commissioner of Police to withhold key information about the investigation.
Smith is represented by attorneys Martin George and Sarah Lawrence.
According to the court filings, Maria died under mysterious circumstances. She went missing on October 15, 2021, and two days later, her body was found in the passenger seat of a vehicle parked in a forested area at Spring Bridge, Blanchisseuse, with a blanket covering her body.
A hose was attached to the vehicle’s muffler was inserted into the vehicle through a slightly ajar window.
The police ruled the death a suicide, despite stating that the investigation was still ongoing.
Smith revealed that she had discovered WhatsApp messages showing a secret relationship between her daughter and a married police officer who was also a relative. She provided this information to the police, but over the years, she said she was repeatedly met with minimal updates and no substantive answers about the investigation.
After several attempts to obtain information, including a Freedom of Information request, Smith argued that the police had failed to provide meaningful updates about interviews, evidence collection, toxicology reports, or any investigative steps taken over the four years since her daughter’s death.
Smith’s attorneys say she remains “grieving and distraught, adversely affected, facing significant emotional hardship and distress due to the lack of closure concerning her daughter’s death,” compounded by the police’s refusal to give her substantive answers.
She also wrote to Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, who referred her to the police. But the lawsuit says the police have refused to provide her with “detailed information,” only providing her with copies of the same letters given before and a statement that investigations were still ongoing and investigators were awaiting the results of the toxicology report.
In granting leave, Justice Quinlan-Williams ordered service of the claim on the Commissioner of Police within 14 days. The matter will be heard on February 2, 2026.
THE EDITOR: I am happy to see that a litterbug caught in Chaguanas was made to clean up his trash. He though he could try a fast one and just dump his household debris and damage the ecology and get away. But God is omniscient and omnipresent and when wrongdoing becomes unbearable, He will intervene.
So said, so done. The litterbug escaped the fine (of $3,000). This should now move to $30,000 and clean-up of the littered site and others, since it’s not once that coconut vendors dump shells on river banks, that mattresses, entrails and feathers are left in bags on the Beetham Highway, and that the cameras are never working to see who did it.
If I may, when one travels from San Fernando there appear to be some tracks on the north-bound, around Gasparillo, where tonnes of garbage have been dumped. And guess what? No one knows who did it – it’s like ghosts.
So, well done Chaguanas borough police and the citizen who caught the litterbug. We are on the right track.
MINISTER of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit on November 13 toured the Sewa TT annual clothing recycle project at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas.
The clothing drive is expected to benefit more than 6,000 people, including 1,100 people supported directly through the Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services (MPSDFS).
Clothing ready for distribution at the Sewa TT Clothing Recycle Project 2025 at the Divali Nagar, Chaguanas. –
In a news release on November 13, the ministry said it partnered with Sewa TT to identify NGOs, transitional facilities and vulnerable clients to to distribute clothing to.
The release said the minister commended Sewa TT for its unwavering commitment to social responsibility and volunteerism, noting that the initiative promotes sustainability while helping to restore dignity and comfort to those most in need.
Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services Vandana Mohit, second left, and Cindy Heeralal NGO unit co-ordinator MPSDFS tour the the Sewa TT Clothing Recycle Project 2025 with Sewa TT president Revan Teelucksingh at the Divali Nagar on November 13. –
“This project reflects the power of collaboration and compassion. It is a shining example of how partnerships between government and civil society can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” the release said. “The ministry’s continued collaboration with Sewa TT underscores its broader mission to strengthen relationships with NGOs and community organisations, fostering a more responsive, inclusive, and caring society.”
THE Ministry of the People, Social Development and Family Services has distributed $310,000 in disaster relief grants after adverse weather conditions caused flooding and other damage in Chaguanas, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo and Tunapuna/Piarco.
Forty-five recipients, representing 121 household beneficiaries, collected their grants on November 8 at the Cunupia Government Primary School.
In a media release, the ministry said the atmosphere was one of gratitude and relief as families received grants under the National Social Development Programme to help replace damaged furniture, appliances and clothing.
In total, household items grants valued at $283,000.00 and clothing grants totalling $27,000 were presented, offering support to help families rebuild their homes, restore comfort, and move forward after losses.
Delivering the feature address, Vandana Mohit, Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services, described the event as another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to standing with citizens in their time of need. She emphasised that each grant represents more than financial relief, but a meaningful step toward recovery and renewal.
Mohit said, “Every cheque, every grant, every visit is an act of love. It is the Government saying to its people, you matter, you are not forgotten, and we will stand with you until you can stand again.”
The ministry said it remains committed to delivering responsive and people-centred assistance to families across Trinidad and Tobago, meeting citizens where they are and bringing meaningful support directly to the communities that need it most.
WORKS and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John arrived at Parliament on October 23 with her trademark upbeat energy and polished style, fielding questions on the progress of national projects, her ministry’s budget priorities and the state of the country’s infrastructure.
Speaking with the media on October 23, John was asked about the ongoing Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway Widening Project, following her ministry’s budget allocation of $2.15 billion.
With a smile, she said, “Work has not stopped. Work has been ongoing. We didn’t stop any project. If any project came to a halt, it’s because the contractor stopped it, not because the ministry gave any such instruction.”
According to a September 9 update on the ministry’s website, steady progress continues on the Chaguanas to Chase Village segment of the project, which is now 83 per cent completed.
The update describes the widening initiative as one designed to “deliver safer, smoother and more efficient commutes for the thousands of motorists and road users who rely on this roadway daily.”
Asked what’s next on the horizon, John offered only a hint.
“The Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will be rolling out some major infrastructure projects next week,” she said, declining to give details.
“Let’s just say it’s something big.”
John said the forthcoming initiatives will form part of “the kind of infrastructure that propels the country forward.”
For now, however, her immediate focus remains on remedial works: fixing roads, clearing drains, and, as she says, restoring order.
“I’ve said before that I want to get this country clean, tidy and organised, maybe even for the first time,” she emphasised.
“We have to set the tone that anything cannot go on. Potholes, broken barriers, unmarked roads, we have to deal with them.”
John said her ministry is also building connector roads to link rural communities, adding, “They deserve attention too.”
She said the ministry is managing 94 active projects, about 70 per cent of which are overdue, some by nearly 2,000 days, or six years.
Calling the delays unacceptable, John said a project that should have finished in 2022 is still ongoing and stressed every delay adds costs.
“Extensions of time, higher material prices, legal fees. We have to bring these projects to proper completion. That’s part of the problem we’re fixing.”
Asked about potential political pushback, the minister brushed off speculation about opposition scrutiny. John said she did not know what was going on in the “Opposition’s head”, arguing, “They do not seem to have a strategy.
“They questioned Minister Mohit for five hours on Tuesday and Minister Ameen for four, then spent just ten minutes on sports and half an hour on education. That kind of imbalance can’t work.” Vandana Mohit is the Minister of the People, Social Development and Family Services. Khadijah Ameen is Minister of Rural Development and Local Government.
The glow of diyas and the rhythm of the dancers lit up the “Night of Dance” at Divali Nagar, Chaguanas, on October 18. Tradition, art, and spirituality came together in a single celebration.
Thousands gathered at the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) compound to enjoy an evening dedicated to dance as a symbol of faith and artistic expression. The main stage came alive with traditional and modern choreography, accompanied by lights, colours, and the vibrant energy of the audience under a gentle drizzle.
The programme featured performances by Victoria Amrita Maharaj, Lornetta Ramlal-Jan, Rukminee Beepath, Suryamika Dance Group, Matilda Mandir Dance Group, Zina’s Creative Dance Academy, Krishna Kala Dance Academy, Simone’s Dance Company, Amritam Shakti Junior Dancers, Durga Sangam Dance Company, Satyam Shivam Dancers and Tridevi Dance Company. Each performance showcased discipline, grace, and devotion.
Chaguanas West MP Dr Colin Neil Gosine was the special guest for the evening. In his address, he highlighted the importance of Divali Nagar as a space for national identity and unity. “Divali Nagar is more than an event. It is the celebration of who we are. It reflects our heritage and the light that continues to shine despite all challenges,” he said.
NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo and vice president Leanne Diane Dookie present gifts to MP Dr Colin Neil Gosine during the “Night of Dance” at the NCIC Divali Nagar, Chaguanas, on October 18. – Photo by Grevic Alvarado
Gosine congratulated NCIC president Surujdeo Mangaroo and his team for keeping alive a tradition that spans generations. He also spoke about his commitment to the people of his constituency. “As the Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West, I will continue to work with residents and community organisations to improve infrastructure, create opportunities, and strengthen community spirit,” he said.
The central theme of the night was “Loka Samgraha,” meaning the welfare of the world. Gosine connected the concept to the teachings of Divali. “It reminds us that prosperity must be shared, that knowledge is power, and that the light of good will always triumph over darkness,” he said.
The “Night of Dance” ended with a standing ovation and the sound of drums echoing across Chaguanas.
The event reaffirmed the spiritual and cultural essence of Divali Nagar — a celebration that unites, inspires, and keeps the flame of tradition alive.
