The number of dengue cases in T&T dropped by 40 per cent between 2016 and 2017.

For the same period, Chik V cases decreased by more than 90 per cent and Zika by 69 per cent.

All three diseases are spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh gave these statistics yesterday when he delivered the feature address at the opening of an Integrated Vector Management Workshop at the Flamingo Room, Trinidad Hilton and Conference Centre.

The project is financed by the European Union.

Deyalsingh said for this year to date there were 495 suspected dengue cases with only five confirmed. This compares to 2011 when there were 5,863 cases.

The minister said once a person is bitten by a mosquito and contracts either Zika or Chik V, immunity is developed against the disease. He said the best indicator of how a country’s insect control methods are working is to use the number of dengue cases as a gauge.

There were four types of this particular disease.

“You can theoretically get all types of dengue so there is no residence per se, so dengue is the best marker that tells you how your insect vector management control is working,” Deyalsingh said.

He said members of the public who continuously refuse to keep their surroundings clean are among the biggest contributors to mosquito breeding grounds.

Deyalsingh said while in many instances people want to see an entire area covered by fogging spray to eradicate mosquitoes, this would not be effective as spraying could only be done on a three-month basis as the mosquito becomes immune to the insecticide.

Dr Edwin Bolastig, advisor on Health Systems and Services, PAHO/WHO T&T, said more than 80 per cent of the world’s population is at risk from at least one vector-borne disease and more than half are at risk from two or more.

Alleged fraudster Vicky Boodram, 35, is now under suicide watch and will be monitored on a 24/7 basis after she was returned to the Women’s Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca, last night.

Hours after being formally charged for escaping lawful custody, Boodram attempted suicide by slitting one of her wrists. The incident allegedly occurred while she was in custody at the Barataria Police Station yesterday morning. However, police officers remained tight-lipped about it. It is alleged Boodram used a sharp piece of metal from her bra to inflict the wound to her left wrist.

After allegedly being found bleeding by officers during a routine check in the station cell, Boodram was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where, according to police sources, “she was treated, stitched up and discharged.”

The police source, however, could not confirm the actual time of the incident and how Boodram got access to a bra, whether or not she was wearing it or given it upon her request.

“Not much details are being released about the circumstances surrounding the incident because officers were warned to remain hushed as it would cause a more of a stink on the police service. What I do know is that people in police custody, especially women would not be allowed to wear clothing with wires, loose or lengthy straps of any kind, laces and belts,” the police source told the T&T Guardian yesterday.

But after appearing it the Port-of-Spain Magistrates' Court yesterday, Boodram was taken back the Women’s Prison around 6.58 pm, where she was remanded in custody until her next court date on December 13 at the Arima Magistrates’ Court. Her latest matter was transferred there by PoS chief magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle yesterday. (See other story)

Contacted last night on how Boodram will be treated given her escape nine days before and the alleged suicide attempt, Prisons Commissioner Gerard Wilson said she will be placed under suicide watch. He added that frequent medical check-ups will be afforded to her.

“The doctor would be brought in to look at her and have her mentally assessed and given what she did to herself, to ensure that she is physically all right,” Wilson said.

Asked if she will be separated from other inmates, Wilson replied: “Administrative segregation would be really for inmates who are violent and other issues, but for Vicky, for now, she may be placed with other inmates but in a cell by herself so that she would not be able to contaminate anyone."

He added: “As she is under suicide watch there will be an officer watching her 24/7.”

Asked if there will be limited officer contact with her, he replied: “Yes, based on her track record we would try to limit the amount of officers around her. I would have a very experienced and senior officer to supervise her.”

Regarding visits by family and friends, Wilson said for now people seeking to visit Boodram will be limited to her attorney and the medical doctor.

“We would have to sit and look things over to see if she would be allowed family visits now or later on.”

Three days after her escape on November 29, Boodram was recaptured at a house in Penal. The 35-year-old, who is currently facing 175 fraud charges, was allegedly assisted in escaping the Women's Prison by two police officers. She was scheduled to appear before both the Port-of-Spain and Siparia Magistrates’ Courts the day after she escaped custody.

PC LeVon Sylvester, who is accused of illegally freeing alleged fraudster Vicky Boodram, never made eye contact with her or looked in her direction as he stood next to her in the prisoners’ dock of the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon.

The two stood less than three feet apart, both with their hands clasped in front of them, Boodram with a bandage on the left wrist and a hospital band on the other, while Sylvester stood barely able to conceal his grin.

Sylvester, along with Special Reserve Woman Police Lisa Navarro, was jointly charged with dishonestly and fraudulently aiding and procuring Boodram, who was then a person remanded in lawful custody at the Golden Grove Women’s’ Prison, Arouca, in escaping from the prison. Navaro stood as far as the prisoners’ dock would have allowed her from Sylvester as the charge was read to them.

The two officers were also charged with misbehaviour in office by uttering a forged court note, namely 1503 of 2012, in the matter of PC Edwards versus Vicky Boodram, facilitating her unlawful release.

The two officers were each granted $300,000 bail for their two charges, while Boodram was denied bail on her lone charge. All three were ordered to return to court on December 13 and the matter was transferred to the Arima Magistrate’s Court. Both offences are alleged to have occurred on November 27 at the Women’s Prison in Arouca. Although they were granted bail, both officers were unable to secure bail and spent the night in jail.

After granting bail, Acting Chief Magistrate Maria Busby-Earle-Caddle noticed Boodram’s bandaged wrist and asked if she had any complaints. Boodram, who represented herself, after informing the court she was unsure her attorney Richard Isaac would appear on her behalf, said the newest charge against her was “unfortunate.” But she was stopped by the magistrate and asked is her complaint had anything to do with her injury or her time in police custody. After Boodram answered in the negative, she was reminded of the adjournment date and ushered out the courtroom.

Sylvester was represented by Alvin Brazer while Mario Merritt represented Navarro. Both attorneys, in requesting bail, noted their clients were police officers with unblemished records. Navarro, Merritt said, was a mother of four and an officer for the past three years. Sylvester, Brazer said, was a single man who lives with his mother and had no criminal records given his profession. A media release by the T&T Police Service said both officers are now suspended pending the outcome of their matters.

Also appearing before Busby-Earle-Caddle was Roxanne Cudjoe, 32, who is charged with harbouring Boodram, also called Victoria Samlalsingh, at Cudjoe’s Lachoos Road, Penal home on November 30, with intent to impede her arrest. Cudjoe, the mother of an eight-year-old, was represented by Richard Clarke-Wills and will re-appear before a Siparia Magistrate today for bail, as police said they had no tracing of her criminal record available.

Fixin T&T head Kirk Waithe has been served with a pre-action protocol by attorneys representing Angostura Ltd and its chairman Dr Rolph Balgobin, over a “highly offensive” and “defamatory image” published by the watchdog group on its Facebook page.

The letter, dated December 1, was sent by JD Sellier and Company attorney Andre Rudder to Waithe on Monday.

Waithe told the T&T Guardian yesterday he has since engaged his attorneys who are reviewing the letter, but refused to comment further.

Three weeks ago, Waithe called for a national boycott of Angostura products after Balgobin was cleared by Justice Rolston Nelson in October of sexual harassment claims levelled against him by a female executive who was fired last Wednesday. Waithe also called for Balgobin to be removed as chairman pending a thorough and independent investigation.

In the five-page letter, Waithe was accused of publishing the defamatory matter on Facebook in a mock-up of Angostura’s product on November 30.

The words and image in the publication, the letter stated, were meant to hurt Angostura’s trade and calculated to lower “our clients’ respective reputations in the eyes of right-thinking individuals and subject them to scorn, ridicule, odium and contempt.” It noted that “there has been no finding of impropriety against Balgobin, he is not known to be the subject of any active police investigation and has in fact recently been exonerated by an independent investigation carried out by Justice Nelson.”

The letter advised Waithe to immediately remove from his Facebook page the publication, publish an immediate retraction and apology, pay damages and give an undertaken to not further publish this or any similar publication concerning their clients.

Meanwhile, Angostura’s senior manager - hospitality and communications Giselle Laronde-West yesterday admitted Fixin T&T’s call for a boycott has not affected the company.

“We have not witnessed any significant changes to our revenue stream at this time,” Laronde-West said.

She also confirmed Angostura has been experiencing above normal demands for its products.

“Our production lines are currently working overtime to ensure we meet our market requirements. We expect that these products will be available for our valued customers early next week,” Laronde-West said.

Her comments came one day after several supermarkets had complained that despite placing their early Christmas orders, they have not been getting Angostura products on their shelves. 

Opposition Senator Wade Mark yesterday said the findings of the Kroll Canadian Consulting investigation, which confirmed Petrotrin paid for oil it did not receive, should be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, police and a Joint Select Committee (JSC).

Mark made the call as he moved a private motion asking for the Senate to suspend the operations of A&V Oil and Gas’ contract pending an investigation.

In putting forward his case, Mark questioned the whereabouts of defeated People’s National Movement candidate Vidya Deokiesingh who was spotlighted at the centre of allegations in the fake oil scandal, stating that Petrotrin police could not locate him.

Mark said the audit stated that Deokiesingh would have accepted the operators’ high and low figures without verifying if they were correct.

“He was there for a willing accomplice of the operator to defraud Petrotrin by overstating fiscalised volumes... The conduct of this gentleman is clear,” Mark said, which resulted in the State-owned company paying for oil that was never produced.

Mark said there was a giant conspiracy by the People’s National Movement to use A&V to fund their 2015 election campaign and if this matter did not come to the fore the country would have been robbed of hundreds of millions of dollars.

He said it was ironic that this “hypocritical Government” talks about transparency and accountability, but yet they were silent on the findings of the investigations and wanted to cover up the issue.”

It was being rumoured, Mark said, that the Government had given the green light to Petrotrin to allow A&V to continue to produce oil and had also refused to terminate or suspend A&V’s contract.

“We are calling on Government, if they are serious, to refer this matter to the DPP and police immediately. We want immediate action to be taken by the Ministry of Finance to suspend this operator’s contract whilst investigations into the audit committee report are ongoing. “

He also suggested that a JSC on state enterprises conduct a proper inquiry and investigation.

“This fake oil…ghost oil scenario…we want the Government to deal with the fraudster who has stolen the nation’s oil and we want the Government to take action by suspending this operator.”

Mark challenged the Government to call election now if they brave.

Energy Minister Franklin Khan, in response, denied there was any “cover-up,” saying the issue involved due process. He said while Petrotrin plans to take decisive action there was need to ensure any claim or action taken is not impeded by any missteps.

“In this case, doing it right is more important than doing it quickly.”

Khan said he got a brief from Petrotrin yesterday informing him that any premature disclosures could derail the company’s legal position.

“We on this side would not be loose with what we say.”

Khan commended Petrotrin’s board in handling of the investigation.

A manhunt has been launched for a Dominican Republic national who torched a house after a chopping and beating a woman and her daughter in St Helena yesterday.

Police said the 35-year-old suspect attacked Rosey Saunders-Morales and Shamaryah Saunders, 14, with a cutlass, knives and a hammer following an argument over property.

In an interview yesterday, Elena Saunders said the suspect had repeatedly asked for control of two properties her mother had inherited in St Helena.

She said the suspect had threatened to end his own life in the past if he was not given control of the properties. Two months ago he sliced his left forearm, she said.

Shamaryah said she awoke yesterday and heard her mother arguing with the suspect before he attacked her with a cutlass. She said she grabbed a broom and began hitting the suspect in an effort to stop him.

Her twin sister, Shemaryah, ran out the house screaming for help.

Saunders-Morales was stabbed, chopped and beaten before being rescued by Shamaryah and taken to Arima hospital.

Residents told Guardian Media they saw the suspect, who sold coconuts at a nearby corner, smoking a cigarette and walking away from the burning home shortly after the incident.

Relatives said the suspect had his passport and other immigration documents when he fled. He was described as someone who could “survive in the bush” and had undergone a psychiatric evaluation after attempting suicide earlier this year.

“I just want the police to arrest him because he threatened to kill everyone in that house,” Elena said, adding that the family was afraid the suspect will return and attack them again.

According to police reports, the attack took place around 7 am. Police blocked off the road as fire officers extinguished the blaze.

Construction company Kall Co has disassociated itself from responsibility for the “failure” of three retaining walls built along Paria Main Road, in Matelot.

In a press release yesterday, Kall Co responded to an article in Monday’s T&T Guardian headlined —Villagers Angry over Shoddy Work-On the Edge in Matelot.

Residents had claimed that the construction firm had failed three times to build a proper retaining wall.

As a contractor, Kall Co stated that they are obligated to construct any works in accordance with designs supplied by the Government through any of its agencies or consultants.

In the case of a design/build contract, Kall Co stated the designs are done by the contractor but supervised by the client’s engineer.

Kall Co stated that no phase of this project represented a design/build contract.

“Kall Co is aware that tenders have been invited for shoreline stabilisation works along the coastline immediately below this project site,” and joined Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan in endorsing the theory that the erosion of the coastline immediately below the site of the retaining wall project, was the cause of the failures of the roadway at this site.

In the article, Sinanan defended Kall Co’s position stating that the contractor completed the work they were hired to do.

Sinanan also stated that the ministry’s engineers said it was not the contractor’s fault.

“To the extent that Kall Co has been engaged in these works, it has always been with the understanding that the works were of a temporary nature, designed as an interim stabilization measure, until such time that a permanent solution could be designed and constructed. This would require, firstly, that the coast below be stabilised against any future coastal erosion, such as has now been tendered for construction,” the release stated.

Homicide detectives are trying to determine a motive for the chopping death of Las Lomas resident Naresh “Lordie” Seepersad.

Seepersad’s decomposing body was found at his home yesterday.

The victim’s sister, Sunita Lalloo, said she last spoke with her brother last week and had no idea why anyone would want him dead.

Residents said Seepersad, 47, was last seen alive on Saturday cutting grass at his home at an abandoned chicken farm.

Seepersad nude body was found with what appeared to be chop wounds on his kitchen floor.

Police believe he was killed on Saturday.

Residents went looking for Seepersad after they had not been seen him for several days.

He was described as a neighbourhood handyman.

Vice Chairperson for Policy, Advocacy and Projects on the Commonwealth Youth Council Nikoli Edwards says there is a sense of hopelessness among the nation’s youth and he wants an opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to discuss that and other concerns.

However, he has been told Rowley is unable to meet with him because of his hectic schedule.

Edwards admits he was disappointed by the response after he made a request for the meeting in a letter sent on September 14. This followed a verbal request he made at a Conversations with the Prime Minister at the St Augustine Secondary School when Rowley said he would be happy to meet with Edwards once he got the correspondence.

Edwards said three months after sending the letter when he got no response from Office of the Prime Minister, he sent a second letter on November 17.

It was only on Monday that he was contacted by a secretary from the Office of the Prime Minister who told him the Prime Minister could not meet with him.

Edwards took to Facebook to complain that the Prime Minister had “blatantly demonstrated” he has no desire to understand the importance of youth to national development.

Edwards said he was told Rowley wants Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith to host the meeting and whatever is agreed upon or discussed will be communicated to him. But Edwards said he felt insulted because he had previously met with the Smith and did not feel the minister was doing justice to the youth portfolio. He subsequently wrote to the Smith requesting further meetings but got no response.

Edwards, who said he has no political affiliation, said his objective in meeting with the Prime Minister is simply for the Government to get a real understanding of youth development. He said often those in authority feel youth development is about “putting money in sports programmes, education and social welfare.”

He said: “Young people are locked out of the decision-making process.”

“While it may seem I speak on behalf of elite young people that is not the case. I have interacted with young people who are under-served. Many of the services the State provides does not reach them and many opportunities available do not make their way to their emails or to their conversations,” he said.

He believes if more young people are given opportunities, crime and violence will decrease.

“Young people engage in crime and violence because they don’t see hope or see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of what is available,” Edwards said.

Officer Derrick Sharbodie, manager and founder of the St James Police Youth Club, is calling for more private sector involvement in addressing issues which affect the nation’s young people. He said many young people feel a sense of hopelessness at the negativity they see in local and international media.

“Having interacted with them, almost 90 per cent say as soon as they get a job they look for a gun to protect themselves,” he said.

Sharbodie said there is a need for balance “in terms of showing young people that despite the area they come from they can rise above it, keep their heads on their shoulders and make good choices.”

“There must be a deliberate drive to showcase the positives from communities so that young people do not feel that all is lost,” he said.

“What is required is for the private sector to come on board in a meaningful way as part of their corporate responsibility,” he said.

He also believes churches “need to redefine themselves and open their doors to young people who are displaced.” If not, the door is left open for those with negative intention to step in.

“It is unfortunate that gangsterism and drug use is glamorised. We need to counter that with public service announcements showcasing young people who have done well, even those who made errors and turned their lives around, to help change the mindset of young people.”

Pastor Clive Dottin agreed churches and religious groups should play a bigger role.

“Many of the young people are growing up in a godless environment and this is where the rubber hits the road,” he said.

The announcement yesterday by Time magazine to name the Silence Breakers—a group of men and women who have been raising awareness of sexual harassment and assault on social media— as the 2017 Person of the Year would no doubt encourage and motivate citizens in T&T who have been sexually harassed to come forward and speak out.

This was the view shared by Powerful Ladies Organisation of T&T (Plott), Fixin T&T and Single Fathers Association of T&T (SFATT) that advocate against sexual harassment.

Silence Breakers which triggered the #MeToo hashtag followed sexual harassment and rape allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. It was identified as the fastest moving social change Time magazine had seen in decades which began with individual acts of courage by hundreds of women and some men who came forward to tell their own stories.

The movement began spontaneously in October after actress-activist Alyssa Milano tweeted “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write #MeToo as a reply to this tweet.

Co-founder of PLOTT Gillian Wall believes that the foreign-based group can encourage more openness and discussions on sexual harassment and gender violence in T&T.

“Sexual harassment is prevalent across T&T. It is very much part of our culture with many people not even understanding that they are engaged in it. It involves both men and women who feel uncomfortable in the workplace. I think the timing is right for this.”

Wall drew reference to Angostura’s chairman Dr Rolph Balgobin who was cleared in October of sexual harassment allegations made against him by a female executive of the company who has since been fired, which has been gaining a lot of attention.

Wall said in an environment where there is naming and shaming victims of sexual harassment tend to stay silent.

“If the women are so hesitant to speak out, just imagine for the men.”

Wall said T&T need to create more public conversations about the issue.

Head of Fixin T&T Kirk Waithe said T&T has to find some way for sexual harassment victims to come forward to share their stories like Silence Breakers.

He said for far too long many victims stay quiet and suffer in silence which gives the perpetrator the power to do what he/she wants.

“It’s an issue that we have to embrace and deal with. Ideally, it should start at the top...the highest office holder for us, but I don’t think this will happen. In the USA it started at the ground level with one person and looked where it has reached. It’s now attracting international attention.”

Waithe said raising such awareness has to start with the people. He said within the last few weeks sexual harassment in T&T has been on the front burner by NGOs, women’s groups and the business sector.

“Men have a critical role to play in all of this. Women need their support.”

Waithe also urged citizens to clamour for the immediate passage of sexual harassment legislation, which we lacked.

President of SFATT Rhondell Feeles said for Time magazine to recognise the group was a step in the right direction which would open our eyes to what is taking place here.

He said citizens tend to believe that only women are victims of sexual harassment.

“Men are victims too but they are embarrassed and ashamed to report it to their superiors far less the police. Now that the topic is being raised people are wondering if they are being sexually harassed.”

Feeles said people are yet to understand what is sexual harassment since there are a lot of grey areas.

A 73-year-old pensioner from St Augustine, who sued the State after his home was demolished three years ago in the presence of police officers, will learn the outcome of his case next Friday.

Justice David Harris reserved his decision after hearing submissions from attorneys representing the State and pensioner Deonarine Sookdeo in the Port-of-Spain High Court yesterday.

Stating that land fraud was a serious issue affecting T&T, Sookdeo’s lawyer Larry Lalla called upon the police to be more vigilant in the future to prevent fraudsters from using their services.

Lalla claimed that the police officers who supervised the demolition of Sookdeo’s home at Deena Trace, St Augustine on December 6, 2014, were negligent as they “legitimised” the illegal action by failing to authenticate the documents presented by individuals, who had hired them to provide extra duty.

Lalla said his client was entitled to almost $900,000 in compensation, which represents the value of his home, which was completely destroyed.

In her response, State attorney Monica Smith argued that the police officers present during the demolition were there merely to keep the peace.

Although she admitted that the police had a duty to check the documents before the exercise, she stated that the officers sued by Sookdeo had complied with a directive given by a senior officer.

She described his case as an abuse of process as he questioned why Sookdeo had not sued the bailiff Ramkaran Ramparas, who carried out the demolition, or the person who had hired him.

Sookdeo was also represented by Sarfraz Alsaran.

Workplace sexual harassment laws coming

Given what is happening around T&T locally, regionally and internationally, Prime Minister Keith Rowley expects legislation addressing sexual harassment in the workplace will be on Government’s legislative agenda.

“I expect it can come sometime. When it does, I trust the Opposition will support it,” he told UNC MP Rudy Indarsingh in Parliament yesterday.

“As father of two women, I wouldn’t want the work environment remaining the way it is, where members who go as far as to find themselves charged for rape get themselves elected without hindrance and become heroes, whether in labour or politics,” he said.

Cabo Star info hidden from Port Authority

Government contracted the Cabo Star cargo vessel for the seabridge under duress and pertinent information was deliberately hidden from the Port Authority, Prime Minister Keith Rowley told UNC MP Fazal Karim.

He said the same thing occurred with the proposal to lease the passenger ferry Ocean Flower 2.

The Port contracted the use of the Cabo Star at a daily rate of US$22,500. The contract for the Ocean Flower 2 was terminated because it failed to arrive in T&T in time.

Rowley said the removal of the Port Authority Board was not being considered at this time.

He said it was easy to jump on people serving in those posts.

“In the fullness of time if there’s need to remove them for wrong doing, I’ll not hesitate. But if information suggests reasonable consideration of their volunteer service, I’ll be the first to consider that.”

He said he wouldn’t have appointed a Ministerial team to seek a ferry vessel if he didn’t think it was satisfactory and appropriate to do so.

No suspension of A&V contract

The Cabinet has no authority to enter any Petrotrin contract—such as A&V Oil & Gas deal—especially with the “fake oil” issue under probe, Prime Minister Keith Rowley told UNC MP David Lee. He said if Government got involved and voided the contract prematurely, the Opposition would be the first with accusations.

Rowley said the contract is matter for Petrotrin’s Board which is currently probing the matter via best practice.

“I don’t know what you all are advocating,” he said.

“We’re not jumping the process. We await the outcome so when action is taken, it can be defended in court if challenged,” he said.

He said the Opposition seemed disappointed the matter was being handled properly.

$709,200 owed to private schools

Money-owed to private secondary schools which enrolled students on the Education Ministry’s behalf totalled $709,200 up to yesterday, Planning Minister Camille Robinson-Regis told UNC MP Dr Lackram Bodoe. Corpus Christi College is owed $175,000 and Caribbean Union College $534,000. Bills are being processed for payment. On Monday, Education Minister Anthony Garcia said 13 private schools were owed money for accommodating Government-assigned students.

Police were last night questioning seven people in relation to a multi-million dollar robbery at the Piarco International Airport yesterday morning.

The well planned and orchestrated hit targeted a First Citizens’ bank load of $5.5 million which was being sent to Tobago via Caribbean Airlines, and took place mere metres away from the Piarco Police Station.

Police said the bandits struck at 11.25 am at the cargo loading area along the Golden Grove Road, Piarco, as the money was being transferred from an Amalgamated Security vehicle to be loaded onto a plane. An airport security reportedly stopped the Amalgamated officers from completing the loading process onto a cargo bin due to a security concern. This period allowed four masked men armed with high-powered rifles and dressed in army fatigue to exit a heavily tinted Toyota Hilux pick-up, licensed TDN7020, and order those around onto the ground. The gunmen then loaded the cash onto the pick-up, which was parked on the compound before the Amalgamated van arrived, and escaped with the loot.

The getaway vehicle was later found parked at Building 1A, Oropune Gardens, Piarco, about an hour after the incident - meaning it would have passed by the police station on its way there. Residents said the lone occupant at the time left the vehicle on and the door slightly opened and escaped in a waiting car. By then, the money had already been removed from the vehicle. Residents said after noticing the engine was left on they contacted the police, who responded.

Police said on hearing of the robbery, officers of the Central Division conducted road blocks but were unable to apprehend the culprits.

Police said it appeared the culprits had some knowledge of the security mechanisms in place for the cash cargo.

A media release from the Airports Authority of T&T yesterday confirmed the robbery, adding officials were working with police to solve the crime.

In a release yesterday, FCB head of Brand and Marketing Larry Olton confirmed the bandits hit just as the money was being transferred from the security of the armoured vehicle to the Airports Authority personnel to be loaded onto the plane.

Also commenting on the incident, First Citizens Group CEO Karen Darbasie said: “The incidences of crime appears to be on the rise, and has indeed reached alarming levels. Too often now we are seeing what appears to be planned and organised criminal activity, targeting businesses, including banks. This last incident seems to be no exception. This calls for greater vigilance on the part of businesses, the TTPS and all stakeholders, and First Citizens is taking further steps to ensure the safety of our people, our customers and their assets, under the circumstances and in this current environment.”

She added that First Citizens officials are assisting police with their investigations.

This was the second high profile multi-million robbery targeting bank money in recent years.

On November 27, 2013, a Sentinel van was robbed of $17 million and US$150,000, representing money from several banks, as it was being transported along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway to the airport around 4.30 am for a flight to Tobago. During that attack, 59-year-old veteran security officer Bert Clarke was murdered. His death and the robbery remains unsolved to date.

During that incident, the Sentinel van was rammed from behind near the Trincity Industrial Estate by a blue Ford Ranger which was loaded with bags of cement in the rear seat. The occupants came out shooting, killed Clarke and took the cash, leaving behind a petrified driver. After grabbing the loot, the bandits escaped in a white SUV which was later found abandoned near Millennium Park, Trincity, and another getaway car, a Nissan Almera, was later found. All three vehicles were reported stolen.

First Citizens has also been targeted on more than one occasion in recent months. In late November, thieves attempted to steal cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) at its Arima branch, but were unsuccessful as the machine had no cash. On September 24, using power tools, bandits entered its Montrose, Chaguanas branch, cut a hole in a vault and made off with $3.5 million. Another attempt was made some days later at its Carapo ATM, but the thieves left empty handed.

Questions emailed to FCB on how the bank intends to improve security were not answered up to press time.

An autopsy will be done to determine how a scavenger at the Forres Park Landfill, Claxton Bay died yesterday.

There were conflicting reports from police and the Solid Waste Management Company Ltd (SWMCOL) as to how the man died.

A release from SWMCOL yesterday stated that police were investigating a fatal accident at the landfill.

They indicated that around 9 am, a man was crushed by a D8 tractor which was compacting an area at the periphery of the landfill. The victim, who is yet to be identified, had apparently been sleeping under a makeshift cover of waste material in the area.

SWMCOL acting CEO David Manswell said, “SWMCOL is deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life. On behalf of the board of directors, management and staff of SWMCOL, I wish to extend our prayers and sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

SWMCOL urged those using their landfills to exercise caution while on the premises and to adhere to health and safety guidelines at all times.

However, police reported that around 8 am, a 65-year-old hustler went to the landfill and found the body of a naked man lying face down in an old plastic swimming pool.

Couva police, homicide detectives and crime scene investigators responded and found vultures already pecking at the body. There were no signs of major injury. Investigators learned that the man was accustomed eating and sleeping at the landfill and they suspect that he fell ill and died.

The victim was reported to be a medium built, dark-skinned Afro-Trinidadian male who appeared to be in his 40s.

The Penal woman accused of harbouring escaped prisoner Vicky Boodram was yesterday granted $100,000 bail in the Siparia Magistates Court.

Roxanne Cudjoe, 32, was not brought from prison for the hearing.

She first appeared before a Port-of-Spain magistrate on Tuesday but was remanded in custody for tracing to determine if she had a criminal record.

It is alleged that she was harbouring Boodram, also called Victoria Samlalsingh, at her Lachoos Road, Penal, home on November 30 with intent to impede her arrest.

Ag Insp Sheldon Ablacksingh told Siparia First Court Magistrate Margaret Alert that Cudjoe was not in court because there was no female police officer in the escort detail. They had not been told that a female prisoner was to be taken to court, he said.

Cudjoe’s attorney Richard Clarke-Wills, who made a bail application in her absence, said although there were three matters listed as pending on her criminal record, those had already been decided in her favour.

The cases were for littering, using obscene language and resisting arrest in 2011 and 2013.

Clarke-Wills told the court Cudjoe is the single parent of an eight-year-old son and she works at a lotto booth and is also a hairdresser. He said she has been in custody since being charged by Ag Cpl Joefield last Thursday.

The prosecutor in the case, who had no objection to bail, said the offence carries a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and five years in prison.

Cudjoe was granted the bail pending clerk of the peace approval but the magistrate denied a request for a cash bail alternative.

The case was adjourned to today for disclosure.

An off-duty officer attached to the Coast Guard official foiled an attempted robbery at a bar at Madras Road, St Helena early yesterday after he shot and killed one of the bandits.

According to police reports, around 1 am the armed bandit entered BJ’s Bar at along demanded that the patrons hand over all their valuables.

The officer shot the bandit several times and the injured man was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A 24-year-old Santa Cruz woman who entered the bar with the bandit was arrested and is currently assisting police with their investigations.

Up to press time, the dead bandit remained unidentified.

Police said the off-duty officer was armed with his personal firearm.

In May, armed bandits robbed and assaulted patrons of the same bar during a daylight robbery. Since then, additional security cameras and an electronic gate were installed to deter offenders.

Officers of the Caroni Police Station and Central Division Task Force are continuing investigations.

Between 2014 and this year, gangs in T&T have increased 129 per cent and gang members have increased 60 per cent, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi says.

He gave the information while piloting anti-gang legislation in Parliament yesterday. This requires a special majority vote and Opposition support for passage.

Al-Rawi said he was angry at the Opposition’s reported refusal to support the bill when crime is at an all time high.

“And we’ re seeing an exponential rise in gang activity,” he said.

He said in 2014 the acting Police Commissioner had said there were 92 gangs with 1,500 members.

“In 2016 it grew to 172 gangs and 2,358 members - today it’s 211 gangs and 2,458 members,” he said.

Gang-related murders totalled 998 between 2010 and this year and the number of gang-related guns seized in T&T stands at 4,674. Some 1,195 firearms were seized since 2016 alone, he said. Al-Rawi reiterated the number of gangs and their members in the nine police divisions ranging from 49 (Western) to nine (Eastern). There are also 221 members in the Witness Protection Programme, he noted.

In the bill’s first incarnation during the People’s Partnership Government’s tenure, he said 463 were arrested under the law during the 2011 state of emergency (SoE). But 213 were released by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and 142 received gang-related charges. There are still 33 cases in the Magistrate’s Court and 40 in the High Court.

“The 142 charged in the SoE involved well-known people, including the infamous Rajaee Ali,” he said.

Al-Rawi said Justice Nolan Bereaux noted that proving gang membership under the law wasn’t easy. Of those arrested in the SoE, 213 were released because evidence behind arrests weren’t proven.

He added,”The courts didn’t say it was bad law.”

He said the 18-clause bill was largely repeats of clauses from the last Anti-Gang legislation, save one. Under that, it will be an offence to have retaliatory action by gangs against a person.

Noting Jamaica’s opposition has supported their anti-gang law, he berated T&T’s Opposition for saying “no law, let’s talk more - but there have been 709 murders since August 2016.”

He said a National Prosecution Agency - involving the DPP and police - and the Deosaran Police Manpower Audit recommendation concerning constitutional reform of service commissions, is part of Government’s anti-crime thrust.

In T&T gangland language, “corn” means a bullet.

And apart from slang, gang culture is creeping into several Laventille West schools where some eight and nine-year-olds are showing signs of such culture.

Laventille West MP Fitzgerald Hinds related the scenarios in Parliament during yesterday’s debate on the Anti-Gang Bill.

Hinds said there are 42 gangs in his constituency, comprising Rasta City and “Muslim” gangs. He lamented that youths were being used by more mature people established as large powerful community figures.

Hinds said the Muslim element entered T&T in the late 1980s, peaking during the 1990 failed coup attempt. Subsequently, he said some “brothers” were dealing guns and drugs, dominating various “blocks.” But other “brothers” stood up to them, giving birth to the Rasta City “versus” Muslims friction.

“Many of them aren’t any genuine Rasta. It’s only a name. Same thing with the Muslims. A lot transgress. Some Muslims even convert to Rasta City and vice versa,” Hinds said.

“But teachers in my area say primary students are showing signs of Rasta City and Muslim gang culture—they’re not speaking to each other... eight and nine-year-olds!”

Hinds added, “A 13-year-old wrote the Prime Minister that she was slapped by another student as she was from the Rasta City area. She has to be careful where she passes to reach school. On Tuesday I saw a 2011 video of a five-year-old with a man with an MP5 (sub-machine gun) on his shoulder. That child may be 12 years old now—what is he doing, I wonder?”

Hinds said tears came to his eyes recently when a constituent was killed by a gang after they found he was working for a rival “Muslim”gang. Another constituent was afraid to come to Hinds’ St Barb’s office as it was off limits and she didn’t want to become a “message” concerning turf warnings.

“Constituents tell me daily of fears. They’ve seen big long weapons all over the community—they just want to get out. One woman saw three youths outside her doors with assault rifles,” he added.

“If police seized 900 guns, there are far more out there. Nearby Brazil has eight factories—manufacturing guns like biscuits!”

Heavy gang activity is also occurring in quarrying.

“Police say men are guarding one quarry with assault weapons and shooting each other—organised crime!”

He said a worker attached to a contractor’s business was wounded when Beetham gangs demanded $400,000 and fired shots at the job site.

On recent Beetham protests, Hinds said, “If you misconducting yourself I cannot represent that! Laventille lacks for nothing. One must separate deprivation from criminality. But some people protest not because they want to but because they have to—else they’ll be branded as ‘gone against’ the community.”

He said statistics show gangs beyond Laventille: in Penal, Siparia, Marabella Trainline, Fyzabad, Cedros, Tobago, Couva, Enterprise and Morne Diablo.

“If people thought they’re safe in gated communities, Robocop was held at One Woodbrook Place and others at the Hyatt. Gang members’ children attend the best schools alongside your own,” he said.

He dismissed UNC MP Rodney Charles’ contribution on the bill as “hypocrisy! it’s like a woman of the night attempting to hide her legs! He’s talking about young blacks as though he’s concerned. The UNC feels crime is a PNM problem not a national problem!”

Even if a company has the best policy against sexual harassment in the workplace, if it is not supported by upper management, all attempts to safeguard employees will be in vain, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) attorney Lynette Seebaran-Suite said yesterday.

She called for proper legislation to deal with the problem, adding that unequal power relations must also be addressed.

“You can have the most elaborate, the most beautifully articulated policy dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace but if the organisation itself at the very highest level is not committed or is not involved to deal with the problem of sexual harassment, those unequal power relations between the victim and perpetrator will always conspire to prevent the victim from having to come forward with the complaint,” she said.

Seebaran-Suite spoke at a lunchtime forum, BoardRoom Bullies, hosted by UWI’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies at the Institute of International Relations in St Augustine yesterday.

Dominating the discussion was the sexual harassment allegations made by a female executive against the chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited Dr Rolph Balgobin in November 2016.

In October, following an internal investigation, the company’s board of directors dismissed the allegations, after which the executive was fired.

Seebaran-Suite said there is no specific legislation to deal with sexual harassment in the workplace in T&T but there are some remedies to address the issue, including a civil lawsuit for a breach of contract which she said is “very difficult to bring on.”

She said there are also provisions under Section 30 of the Offences Against a Person Act.

The EOC permits people to make complaints of sex discrimination in the workplace, including sexual harassment, she said.

Frances Bain-Cumberbatch, Group Corporate Secretary and Group Head of Legal at Ansa McAL, said the group had an excellent policy in place to speedily deal with sexual harassment in the workplace. She added that Ansa McAL is one of two companies in T&T with a formal written sexual harassment policy.

Bain-Cumberbatch described sexual harassment as a form of violence which should never be tolerated.

Head of Fixin T&T Kirk Waithe used the forum to renew his call for a nationwide boycott of Angostura products. The company has threatened legal action against Waithe in a pre-action protocol letter in which it is demanding an apology, payment for damage to its reputation and warns him against furthering his group’s campaign to boycott the company.

Waithe said the fired female executive not only readily submitted herself to a polygraph test but also passed. He said the matter was brought to a resolution just over a year after the allegations were made and questioned whether it was a case of the company probing itself.