The bereaved family of murdered Aranguez taxi driver Balliram Balgobin has saluted the 70-plus taxi drivers who yesterday staged a silent protest in solidarity and for increased safety and security measures for them.

Yesterday from as early as 6 am, taxi drivers from the Aranguez Taxi Association, together with those who ply the Don Miguel/Aranguez route, lined their vehicles along the taxi stand at Railway Road in San Juan. They stood in silent protest and solidarity over the cold-blooded murder of their colleague and over the increasing robberies and carjackings in the area.

Speaking with the T&T Guardian, association president Ramchandra Temal said they are calling for the immediate installation of CCTV surveillance cameras on the taxi stand. About 800 people, including students, commute on a daily basis on that route alone, he said. He added that they have met several times with the T&T Police Service’s Traffic Branch and asked for the installation cameras as a deterrent security measure.

“But to date nothing yet and look what has happened…at least if the cameras were there the police could have looked at the footage and see who were the four men that entered the taxi.”

Balgobin, 55, was killed during a carjacking at about 4 pm on Wednesday. The incident took place at Ali Drive, which is located two streets away from where he lived. Police said he was attacked by a robber who posed as a passenger to steal his car, a Nissan Tiida. He was a retired soldier from the T&T Defence Force and the father of three — two sons and a daughter.

Temal described Balgobin as a quiet man.

“He was so humble and quiet. All of us knew him well and knew him to be quite a good man. He was also well known in the community.”

Commuter Andre Lewis told the T&T Guardian that although he was stranded for almost two hours because of the protest, supported the taxi driver’s stance.

“If this is what it takes for them to be heard and for their concerns to be addressed, well so be it. I can’t argue or be vex because crime has gone out of control and people suffering.”

Another commuter, who wished not to be identified, said all of T&T should stand up to crime.

“I find people too quiet, but wait until the killing reach in their house…just now it will the rate it going. I can’t vex nah. The police and the Government don’t care and not doing nothing.”

Balgobin’s son, Andrew, told the T&T Guardian that he and his family were touched by the actions of his father’s taxi driver colleagues.

“We respect them and respect what they have done on behalf of my father. It shows you how respected my dad was and we respect them for standing in solidarity,” Andrew said.

He added that people in the community are scared because of the rising crime.

“They are scared and these drivers are also standing in fear for their safety. Something needs to be done for people to feel safe again.”

Andrew said his family is praying for justice in the interim.

Public relations officer of the San Juan Business Association, Abrahim Ali, in extending condolences to the Balgobin family, called on acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams to “give the taxi drivers what they are calling for.”

He also called for the introduction of joint army/police patrols throughout the area, including Barataria and El Socorro.

“When there is that heightened police and soldier presence patrolling round the clock it will serve as a deterrent to the criminals. The people will feel safe too,” Ali said.

“It is important in alleviating the crime situation because it will have a negative impact on the economy. People need to travel to go to work and to go shopping.”

Funeral arrangements are yet to be made.

The CARICOM Regional Commission on Marijuana has labelled existing regional marijuana laws as draconian and one which carries with it inappropriate criminal penalties.

Indicating its unanimous position for law reformation across the region, Commission Chair Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine yesterday said "the penalties were premised on the notion that marijuana or cannabis has no value.

"This is now misleading and inaccurate because the medical and scientific evidence is clear that marijuana has substantial value," Belle Antoine, the dean at the Faculty of Law at the University of the West Indies' St Augustine campus, said.

A recent World Health Organization (WHO) study found that a compound derived from marijuana called cannabidiol (CBD) had health benefits and should not be subject to government restrictions.

Belle Antoine said although marijuana "is not a panacea for everything, we are recommending a reclassification of it."

Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant intended for medical or recreational use.

Having presented the Commission's Report to the CARICOM Heads in Jamaica on Friday, Belle Antoine said other recommendations included, "a public health and rights approach instead of this criminal law approach where people are criminalised."

She said the Commission had also found the social justice issues to be more compelling.

"More so than this thing about medical marijuana, as thousands of people are being imprisoned especially the most vulnerable and most marginalised in the region," she said.

Belle Antoine said current laws were inequitable and discriminatory in that "The have's are not prosecuted or persecuted, whereas the have-not's are. Law enforcement have agreed with us on this."

Revealing that the Commission had conducted extensive research across the region and gathered input from persons in various spheres, Belle Antoine said some countries in the region were further ahead in terms of how they were addressing the marijuana situation in their respective territories.

Among those leading the way is Jamaica and Antigua.

The Commission on Marijuana was established by the decision of the 25th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in March 2014 in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

'People should not be criminalised for marijuana'

Belle Antoine said the Commission had also retained an economist as part of its research team so they were able to provide accurate figures to the CARICOM heads.

Commended for its effort in compiling the comprehensive report, Belle Antoine said moving forward, it would be a challenge how to address the view by the International Convention that marijuana was still an illegal substance and that any profits would be considered illegal proceeds of crime, leading to money laundering investigations and banks refusing to engage with the respective client.

Claiming that CARICOM was in a strong position to lobby with partners who had moved ahead to legalise marijuana, Belle Antoine said the main focus remained that people should not be criminalised for marijuana.

Although there was a suggestion to remove prohibition generally, she said the Commission was clear when it came to children and young persons, "The evidence is clear that it affects young people, just like alcohol does, in very serious ways and we are not in favour of that."

Unable to say how soon the recommendations may be rolled out across the region, Belle Antoine said the CARICOM responses appeared to be in favour of law reform.

Nkechi after being fined $3,000 for possession

Nkechi Phillips, 27, knows all too well how the law views marijuana.

Phillips appeared before San Fernando Magistrate Alicia Chankar on Thursday charged with having two marijuana plants in her yard.

Phillips was eventually fined $3,000.

Speaking to the Sunday Guardian Phillips, a herbalist who follows the teachings of Dr Sebi, said the plants were for her own personal use.

"When the police came to my house they treated me like I was the worst kind of criminal. Two van loads of officers came and ransacked my house while my three children were crying," Phillips said.

Phillips said the police drove past two well-know drug blocks where cocaine is sold to harass her.

Phillips said she has known marijuana to help people suffering with asthma and bronchitis and other ailments.

She said she welcomed decriminalisation of it.

"People should be able to grow at least four plants in each household so that families can use it for its medicinal value," Phillips said.

Phillips said marijuana is a plant but the law made it illegal.

"Imagine one day the law makes oranges illegal, but we know what we know now which is that the fruit has medicinal values. What would we do stop using it and we know that it is a great source of vitamin C," she said.

Phillips called for a review of the current laws.

Responding to claims in a pre-action protocol letter on behalf of the Marcelle brothers—Kareem, Kevin, Kern—that police and soldiers entered their Beetham Gardens property on June 27 and carried out a search during which they damaged the house and left Kareem nursing injuries, Hodge-Griffith said it was a "sad" turn of events as officers are not about hurting the public.

Hodge-Griffith, who works closely with Kareem Marcelle to bolster community relations and improve the level of interaction between the police and residents, described him as an "outstanding" role model at Beetham Gardens.

She said despite the setbacks, Kareem has remained focused on improving his lot in life and was working assiduously to achieve his goals to become an attorney.

Unaware of the search and resultant outcome, the senior officer denied her division engaged in any sort of community profiling.

A senior officer, however, described Kareem's situation as "collateral casualty."

In the letter dated July 6, addressed to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and copied to Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, attorney Jonathan Bhagan accused the search party of subjecting the brothers to an unlawful deprivation of liberty; malicious procurement of a search warrant; breach of constitutional rights; damage to property; and inhumane and degrading conduct.

Claiming the search was carried out under the guise of the Anti-Gang Act 2018, Bhagan also requested to meet with the AG and the CoP to discuss improving the treatment of residents from Beetham Gardens.

Hodge-Griffith yesterday sought to clarify how officers should operate: "If we have two or more persons gathered for the purpose of committing a crime or conducting or carrying out crime, we will consider linking that to the Anti-Gang legislation.

"You have to be seen gathering for a purpose whether it is illegal, or for gang activity or a number of activities under the act, so to say that people are being profiled in that sense, I don't know and can't speak to that."

Asked about the main issues impeding the positive development of marginalised communities such as Beetham Gardens, Laventille, and Morvant, Hodge-Griffith said the authorities were focused on providing remedial assistance; security; theatre arts development; musical training; and sports training to all residents.

Claiming that several initiatives had been implemented to assist people who want it, she admitted there continued to be criminal elements from these areas who refused to embrace the positive offerings.

She pledged to continue walking the beat and talking with residents in affected areas. "The police can only do so much about the homicides in this country. We have a number of strategies and initiatives but yet still we continue to pick up bodies."

Offering her personal view, Hodge-Griffith said "We have to get the people to understand how valuable life is and it is in this regard that I will not stop talking because it is a culture and mindset we have to change if we want to save future generations."

She said it was heartbreaking that many young men in marginalised communities had refused to plan their lives beyond the age of 22, as they believe they would not survive life in the streets.

Several grey areas in Anti-Gang Act—criminologist

Criminologist Ian Ramdhanie said there are several "grey" areas in the Anti-Gang Act 2018 which could allow police officers to misuse/abuse their authority and create a contentious situation.

• One such area was the offence to harbour a gang leader or gang member.

He asked, "What if a person does not know if the person staying by him is a gang leader or gang member? Sometimes, you may not know that your child, spouse, or relative that might be staying at your home is a gang leader or member."

He said while many times parents or guardians are unaware of what their children do outside of the home, "You will have to convince them after arrest and charge that you did not know this. But you can be charged and have to go through the whole process to clear this up."

• It's a crime to lie to the police about the whereabouts of someone who is a gang leader or gang member, and failure to inform officers of their whereabouts is also a crime.

Ramdhanie asked, "What about the fact that you may not want to say anything for your own safety? You can still be charged. You may not want it to be known that it is you who gave the whereabouts of a gang leader or gang member but the law states that you must. If gang-related persons find out it is Person X who gave their whereabouts, there can be serious repercussions."

• A serious area of concern is the fact that people who tip-off gang leaders/members that the police is doing investigations on a specific person can be charged for an offence.

"This can be another avenue for potential abuse of police authority using the Anti-Gang legislation as an innocent person can be accused of tipping off a suspect, when this may not be the case and that innocent person will be arrested and charged."

• Police can arrest without a warrant if they have reasonable cause to believe a gang leader or gang member committed a crime.

"Again, arresting without a warrant on reasonable cause can be unfairly exploited by the police."

Asked to comment on Kareem who is not involved in any unlawful activity and was described as "collateral casualty" following the search, Ramdhanie said "Once the police executes a search, they can detain all of the persons who are there at that time. These can include parents, friends, etc. They can then release persons after they find out that they have nothing to do with the matter that they were investigating.

"Detaining the innocent university student who has nothing to do with the activities should ring a bell in the community to take a stand on crime. It should make them realise that crime should not be tolerated in their communities even though their members may be involved in it. It should also let them know that by simple association with such persons, they can be detained according to the law."

RADHICA DE SILVA

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

The Ministry of Energy is now seeking foreign assistance to cap off a well which is spewing high pressures of oil and gas, 40 feet from the seabed in the Gulf of Paria, near the Couva oil platform.

Located approximately 4.5 nautical miles off Orange Valley, Carapichaima, the well has been shooting extensive hydrocarbons in the Gulf since Thursday, posing serious risk to marine operators.

In a letter sent to Petrotrin hours after the blow-out occurred, the Ministry of Energy requested immediate assistance to cap off the well. Divers were sent down to inspect the blow-out and realized that it was coming from the seabed.

Petrotrin personnel did not have the technological ability to cap off the well and later alerted the ministry. A source who requested anonymity said the ministry has been seeking assistance from service companies in the United States with the technology to cap the well.

A log of the well is expected to be provided to the company before any work is done.

"We expect that a drilling barge will be sent in to side track onto the casing and pump cement inside to kill the well. It all depends on the recommendations they make after they view the well file. We are hoping that the Ministry of Energy has a log of this well. From what we are seeing, the well has already been abandoned and was capped off from the seabed," a source said.

Contacted yesterday, chairman of the EMA Nadra Nathai-Gyan said "The EMA is aware of this and we are part of the team that is monitoring the progress of the well. We are attending all the sessions and we are there on a first-hand basis to see what can be done.

"It is a difficult situation and the ministry has asked for international help. A meeting was held yesterday and a report is expected as they try to bring the situation under control."

Fishermen have been staying away from the vicinity of the spillage and are praying that their boats and nets do not become contaminated.

Put up warning signs—Aboud

Meanwhile, secretary of Fishermen and Friends of the Sea Gary Aboud called on mariners to steer clear of the site as it was volatile and highly flammable.

Aboud said the area was unlit and there were no navigational warnings for oncoming vessels.

"Vessels are warned to stay upwind of this gas plume which may ignite or explode and is highly noxious," Aboud said. He said a team from FFSO visited yesterday.

"We have video footage showing that this is an extremely dangerous and highly pressurized well rupture, spewing a gaseous aromatic hydrocarbon mixed with a muddy substance. This gaseous sludge is covering the sea for miles."

He said "six days after this orphaned offshore oil/gas platform erupted the Ministry of Energy stated that they are still trying to access which private company was in charge of that well before the ministry took it over.”

Aboud questioned whether the ministry has been keeping a proper records of wells.

"Is the ministry incapable of responding to an emergency situation like this? Do we have the capacity to ensure public safety from the oil and gas sector? Who is the responsible party? Nothing has been done all week. When will this public endangerment be contained?" Aboud asked.

He said there are hundreds of decades old, capped, orphaned or abandoned wells which may not have been properly decommissioned and are corroding.

"Where are the maintenance schedules for abandoned platforms or capped wells? When was the last time the Ministry of Energy did a safety inspection of the hundreds of abandoned wells in our maritime waters and onshore sites?" he asked.

He also questioned why there have been no warnings to protect fishermen.

Caribbean Prestige Foundation director William Munroe in a meeting with artistes yesterday instructed that their performances on Fantastic Friday remain within the eight-minute allotted timeframe. In an interview yesterday, Munroe, who this year celebrates 19 years of staging the international competition, said long performances filled with talk often compromised the quality of the show. “We are telling them to stick to the criteria and the rules of the competition. This is going live on cable and the audience needs to hear their presentations,” he said.

Assuring that plans were going well, Munroe said while local police officers had been staying away from work in recent days, the semifinal round of the competition in Arima was not affected. “Every single officer who was registered to work on Sunday was there. There were also plainclothes police officers in the crowd,” Munroe said. He said Caribbean Prestige Foundation worked alongside the National Security Ministry each year to ensure the final round of competition was incident-free.

“Over the years, security has always been a priority and this year will be no different. We will do everything that is possible to ensure patrons are safe and the show runs smoothly. This is the people’s event,” he added. On Fantastic Friday, March 4, thousands are expected to gather at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain, for Energy In The City—a theme that has been supported by a track vocalised by Groovy Soca contender Patrice Roberts.

It was a special night for 409 employees of the ANSA McAL Group who were honoured at the company's “Stronger Together” long service awards ceremony, at Queen's Hall, St Anns, Friday.

Executive Chairman A Norman Sabga paid tribute to awardees celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service and called on them to continue to be leaders in their communities and ambassadors of the conglomerate.

In his welcome address Sabga said “We got here through good leadership, excellent planning , 6,000 dedicated and loyal staff, very strong brands, a culture of continuous drive for excellence, and great customer service to name a few.

“When you put all that together, we end up with an iconic group of companies, with a market leader in the Caribbean and it is because of this great accomplishment that we're here today.

“The US has a Trump and we have a trump card too, and that trump card is you; our employees that are a loyal, dedicated group of employees that have that market knowledge and drive to compete and as a result of our culture and our staff, that made us what we are today.”

Amongst the group's long service awardees were Andrew Sabga, ANSA McAL's Chief Executive Officer who celebrated 20 years of service, Jerome Borde, Sector Head-Automotive who attained 30 years of service and Nabeel Hadeed, director of the ANSA McAL Foundation, as well as an executive director at TATIL.

Also receiving long service awards were Guardian Media Ltd Branch Manager

Hazel Ross-Perot (20 years) and editor Robert Alonzo (25 years), and well as several other GML family members.

BOBIE-LEE DIXON

(bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt)

Minister of Public Administration Marlene McDonald has been hospitalised once again. A press release from the Ministry of Communications yesterday stated that she was warded at the St Clair Medical Facility.

It said she was being treated for an existing medical condition. This is the second time the minister had to be hospitalised in the space of a month. In June McDonald was hospitalised after complaining of feeling unwell at a post-cabinet media briefing on June 14, 2018. Tests concluded her sugar levels were low. She was subsequently discharged on the same evening.

The Sunday Guardian contacted the PNM's office for an update on Mc Donald's condition but was unable to get any information. After contacting several other PNM official, Senator Alisha Romano said there was no update at the time.

Mc Donald's colleagues in the PNM are, however, wishing her a speedy recovery.

In September last year, Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie was warded at the ICU unit of the St Clair Medical Facility after he fell ill at his home. Cuffie had previously suffered a stroke from which he recovered. It was assured by the officials in the PNM that Cuffie did not suffer another stroke. However, Cuffie's 'medical episode' has left him unable to function and carry out his duties. In March this year, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath made calls to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, to remove Cuffie from his position, in lieu of his inability to continue his duties.

There’s no business like show business, and when Kaiso House premiered at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s last Thursday, the cast gave a good account of themselves. It was disclosed that C2K11 was dedicated to Calypso Rose (Mc Cartha Lewis).  Among those present were Minister of Arts and Multicultuarlism Winston  Peters (Gypsy) and Permanent Secretary, Vel Lewis. Looking dapper in blue, Dee Diamond got several encores for his vivid rendition of Eyes On The Hill, which caused patrons to envision Desperadoes panyard in Laventille and its spectacular view of the city. Karen Ashe had only to depend on her svelte frame. In girlish mode, the delivery of Uncle Jack reminded everyone that Uncle Jack is boss and all who vex loss. Her props, which included articles of clothing and man-made items, wielded their own appeal.

Brown Boy boasted that he had the best toy. No one saw it but they believed him. Draped in a red shawl, Rootsman pledged his allegiance to Trinidad, while a bare-footed Marva claimed the stage and lamented the loss of T&T’s sons. “Trinidad getting to be a Western town. You must be inside before the sun goes down,” she gave a chilling description. Bunny B engaged the crowd in a quiz on big M or small M, and there were no props, just words for Valentino. Sporting gray dreadlocks, Valentino, who recently bade farewell to his crony Conqueror, belted out Glory Days. Ramrod straight, Shadow claimed the microphone and belted out his tune. He wore his trademark black. And with dreadlocks swaying, calypsonian Twiggy called for a more permanent structure for the lady who went down “San Fernando for more tempo,” who was in the house looking rosy in red. “Build a statue in honour of Rosie,” she urged.

As could be expected, there will be quite an amount of emotional advocacy for executing convicted killers as debate to amend the legislation on the death penalty starts today in the House of Representatives. Concurrently, there will be genuine petitions for the sanctity of human life expressed in the public arena.
As is well known, the State has not been able to meet the requirement as set down by the British Privy Council in the Pratt and Morgan judgment for executing convicted killers.

The British court, which is our final court of appeal, has ruled that governments wanting to carry out the death penalty must do so within five years after first conviction. A major hindrance to achieving the five-year limit has been the length of time it takes for hearings of humanitarian appeals at international human rights courts to be concluded. Indeed, the allegation has been that the human rights organisations, abolitionist in their orientation, often deliberately delay the process of review to take cases beyond the five-year limit.

What the draft legislation seeks to do is for the President of the republic “to impose time limits within which a person who is sentenced to death may appeal (to human rights bodies) outside of Trinidad and Tobago in relation to the offence or sentence in question.” The bill also seeks to give the President the power “to impose time limits within which any such appeal, communication or consultation shall be concluded.” At the end of the time limits, the minister and the advisory committee on the power of pardon would then be able to exercise their own powers to execute or to pardon.

The hope here is that under the amended act, the five-year time frame set down by the Privy Council would then be kept, the assumption being that the President would not allow for the wastage of time by the human rights bodies, or indeed any other agency. Beyond the attempt to shorten the time frame from first conviction to execution, the draft bill also seeks to categorise murders, with only those who are found guilty of committing the crime in a brutal and premeditated fashion being subject to the death penalty. 

Understandably, there is a large majority of citizens with little tolerance for sophisticated arguments which seek to block the State from executing convicted murderers, once they have had due process through the courts. This society has been under siege for quite some time now and people are at the point where they feel the need for the criminal justice system to have offenders pay for their crimes. On the other side of that platform are those who oppose state killings. They believe that the taking of life by the State places us all in the same inhuman category of the murderers. The abolitionists also generate data and arguments to demonstrate that the death penalty has little or no effect on bringing down the murder rate.

The reality is though that the execution of convicted killers is on the law books. The spectacle over many years of the system being subverted by long drawn-out appeals to especially human rights bodies cannot help but undermine the supremacy of the law. This stalemate has been going on for over a decade. The intensity of the feeling rises and falls depending on the next most heinous of murders. The society cannot continue to exist in this state of paralysis. Legislators and the people of the country must conclude on whether or not executions are to be carried out and move forward. The hope is that this debate brings a conclusion to contentions.

CHARLES KONG SOO

Eleven days after Beetham scholar Kareem Marcelle and his family were unlawfully detained by police acting under the guise of the Anti-Gang Act, he has been provided with alternative accommodation at the UWI St Augustine campus.

This was confirmed by Dean of the Faculty of Law Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine who said the move was orchestrated in order to ensure Marcelle's safety.

Described as a “shining example of a model young man,” she said he was very distressed to learn what had happened.

Speaking to the Sunday Guardian yesterday, Belle-Antoine said this tied in with what she had always believed about the Anti-Gang legislation and that she disapproves of it.

She said what tended to happen was that people were profiled in vulnerable, marginalised communities as was the case with Marcelle, who was not involved in any criminal activities.

Belle Antoine warned that the country can expect more of this, she saw many states in Latin America had adopted this hard line approach by militarizing the county—Mexico being a prime example.

She said it did nothing to assist in crime, what it did was escalate the crime. Belle-Antoine said the line approach encouraged the rage and unfair treatment and she anticipated many more similar situations occurring.

The Sunday Guardian visited the 23-year-old resident at his Phase 3, Beetham Gardens home yesterday for this exclusive interview.

Marcelle's traumatic experience occurred on June 27 when he was awakened from sleep by the sound of his wooden bedroom door being broken down and a sub-machine gun was placed to his head by a police officer telling him if he moved he would “blow off his f..... head”. That caught him by surprise, shock, fright, and shame because he fell asleep after just having a bath with only his towel on.

Marcelle said “After I let the trauma sink in, I asked myself one question: 'Kareem, what do you want to come out of this?' I thought long and hard and decided three things:

1. My constitutional rights were breached and I want to get justice. I want to set an example to officers who think that they can carry out their duties in an unprofessional manner and there will be no consequences in communities like Beetham Gardens, Laventille, and other area.

2. I want to start a 'Know Your Rights' campaign to not only inform residents from my community and others of their constitutional rights when dealing with police officers, but also to inform them of the right of police officers and the powers they possess.

3. To make a national call for our officers to be trained and taught how to properly execute their duties when coming into these hotspot communities.”

My name is Kareem Josiah Marcelle, 23. I am the son of Sherma Wilson, radio talk show host and former PNM alderman in the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation. Growing up in the community of Beetham Gardens has been no easy task. From very young I knew that it was a rough road ahead. I grew up initially in a nuclear family with my three other siblings. My mom was a pre-school teacher earning a monthly salary of $1,500 and my dad was earning a little less at the fish market. They tried to make ends meet but at times it did not; having us worried as to where our next meal will come from.

My dad migrated to the US when I was on the July/August vacation going into Std Five at Sacred Heart Boys' RC School. Initially he said that he would be back in time to assist us in going back to school. That never happened as his plan all along was to migrate, marry his new wife, and start his family abroad. It was a painful experience with my mom having to struggle to get us ready for school and to actually send all four of us to school at the very same time. When I started the first term, I remember my mom telling me that she would buy one shirt for me to start school and when things got better she would buy more. I was so afraid that it would rip or even get a distinct marking, I barely played. My absenteeism at times was high as mom did not have the funds to send us to school every day. However, even when home we had to be busy in our books.

Forced to raise three young men and one young lady, my mom put her emotional heartbreak aside and stood up as a warrior. She got stricter as she was now the only disciplinarian in the house. She knew that with my two elder brothers being young adults in Forms Three and Four, she had to toughen them up or else the streets and the gangs would raise them. She checked our bags every day to ensure that we didn't come home with one more pencil or pen that she bought. We had to account for everything to her to prove that we would never steal anything or accept things from strangers. It is something that we all grew with; high morals and values though financially poor. Eventually, however, my older brothers dropped out of school to assist with the situation. My mom was not pleased with this as she wanted all of us to stay and complete school; but, my brothers knew she could not afford it.

'Dad murders wife, attempts to burn down condo'

About four years after my father left, news broke that he had just murdered his wife and attempted to burn an entire condo. At this time, I was a Form Three student of Trinity College, Moka, and my mom was doing a lot better with us as she got a new job as a radio talk show host. Nevertheless, this unfortunate news rocked and shocked us all. I began thinking that my plans and dreams of being the Prime Minister would be controlled by the narrative that my father was a murderer. I would be hypocritical if I say that it did not cross my mind to give up on school and go down a wrong road. In fact, if I wanted to become a criminal, the perfect opportunities and easiest way would be found right on every block in my community. It crossed my mind simply because criminality pays off in communities like ours. There are success stories of young, poor men like myself at the time, who decided to join a gang and turned gang leaders. The success story was when you see the fancy vehicles, government contracts, gold, money, respect, and girls the gangsters would have. However, God and my mother's guidance of rich morals and values is what kept me on the right path even when I doubted.

Even when my father was sentenced to 35 years to life at the age of 55 years, I struggled but pushed and received eight CSEC and then six CAPE unit subjects. My struggles have motivated me to help and inspire others hence my heavy involvement in community and national activism work. The very same selfless work that has allowed me to be in pursuit of my dream career of being an attorney and the Prime Minister of this great country (UWI's Makandal Daaga Scholarship in Law).

'I want to transform negative image of my community'

One of my immediate goals is transforming the negative image of my community and show the public the different sides.

There are many others like me in my community who have been on a positive path and have continued to excel in academics, sports, culture etc. It is, however, a task at times to get people to join the process in community work. Most people that excel from the community leave and hardly ever look back. It is not something I can blame them for because it is a hard and risky job to even live in or furthermore work with the community. However, there are many positive role models that are coming forward to assist in transforming the community.

Behind my public success stories still lies so much pain and frustration that I have to deal with on a regular basis. If it is not the criminals or the police it is sometimes the wider society that judge and scorn you when they know you're from Beetham. I have had to run for my life on three separate occasions due to this senseless Rasta City vs Muslim war that has been ongoing. In fact, I was mistaken for a young man that I grew up with some time ago and had four gunmen shooting at me for over five minutes. They apologized to my family and sought forgiveness. Less than a month later the actual young man who was involved in crime was killed. That could have been me. God alone knew how and why I made it. These things open up your eyes differently and ask yourself "Is it worth it?... Is it worth it to be fighting for a community and people that you can innocently die in?" These are the questions I often ask myself, but when I watch and listen to our younger ones living in fear and hopelessness, I know it would not be God's plan for me to give up them.

'Police treat young men from my community like criminals'

Even with the police for example, my contact list is filled with personal contacts of executives of the TTPS, Minister of National Security etc, but yet still not even I am protected from being considered a common criminal in the community when I don't have on my shirt and tie. The norm has become that the Police Service is allowed to treat young men from communities like mine as criminals once they are “young, black, and wearing a three-quarter pants below their waist.” They kick down doors, curse you, beat you, degrade you and even shoot you as they see it fit. It is heart breaking because I know that the officers are doing these things because they're frustrated with the fight against the criminals in these very same communities. However, when they treat everyone as criminals, it allows the residents to also see the police and the criminals as devils; and when there comes a time to choose, the residents often chooses the devil that they know, which are the criminals. The IATF Division of the TTPS has been taking significant steps to improve this relationship and they must be commended. The Port-of-Spain CID Division should take heed.

This is the sad reality the majority of the residents from Beetham, Sea Lots, John John, Picton, and all over Laventillle are sick, tired, and disgusted of, this war that continues to take the lives of innocent civilians, even our school children and women. Many people call and give the TTPS information about crime but they're scared to come forward as witnesses to a justice system that doesn't deliver justice on time or to a Witness Protection Programme that does not protect their family as well. From the moment they do this, they and/or their family would be killed. The statistics are there to be proven. Most people want to assist the TTPS in its fight against crime like myself. It is why I have continued to partner with the relevant authorities to achieve this goal.

It is a long and difficult road but I am determined to make it side by side with my community. Despite this ordeal that took place with my family and members of the TTPS, I can assure you that I would not let this deter me from achieving my community, national, and personal goals.

—(As told to reporter CHARLES KONG SOO)

In addition to capturing the first and second places in the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examination, at least 95 per cent of Gandhi Memorial Vedic School Standard Five students passed for their first choice schools.

Also, of the 72 students who wrote the exam, no one scored below 30 per cent in the examination.

The school is also optimistic that at least 10 of its students have the potential to make it in the top 200 SEA students’ list.

For principal, Keshmani Dhaniram-Gosine, her 20 teachers and parents, the excellent results did not shock them.

Last Wednesday, the school captured national attention when Saiesh Rampersad topped the SEA examination with a perfect score while his classmate Jada Ramnath placed second.

Ramnath and Rampersad were among the 19,139 students who wrote the examination.

Among the secondary schools the students passed for were St Augustine Girls’ High School, Presentation College, St Mary’s College, Fatima College and Hillview College.

In 2010, Ajesh Rameshwarsingh of Gandhi Memorial placed first in the SEA examination.

Dhaniram-Gosine admitted that despite their major accomplishments few people know the relationship the school shares with its vibrant Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA), which has played a major role providing facilities for its 500 students.

Through countless fund-raising ventures in the last nine years, Dhaniram-Gosine said the PTA was able to build a library, computer and science labs, stockroom, assembly area and an SEA block which would have cost the Ministry of Education more than $3 million.

During the July to August vacation, the school’s toilet facilities would be upgraded through the PTA’s involvement.

“All those were done by our vibrant PTA to expand the school. They are the ones I can call on to fix anything. We have excellent parental support. We have been rectifying our problems ourselves,” Dhaniram-Gosine said.

The school, she said, is run by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha.

“And even with the board, their funds are limited. Ideally, if we get a new building in the main wing that would be perfect for us.”

Dhaniram-Gosine said the three projects the school is currently working on are the “washroom upgrade, relocating the cafeteria and to complete a staffroom.”

She admitted that parents have been coming to get their children enrolled in the school, stating that they have been faced with finding sufficient spaces and teachers’ constraints.

“I can’t keep piling unto the teachers bigger and bigger numbers. It’s very difficult.”

Dhaniram-Gosine also credited her 20 teachers for their dedication and commitment, stating that without them the school’s achievements would not have been possible.

She singled out teachers Devika Rajkumar and Tricia Sookram whom she works prepares and grooms the SEA students.

To maintain the school’s high standards, Dhaniram-Gosine said she would do professional development sessions with her teachers twice weekly.

“The teachers give up their lunch hour to come up with strategies for comprehension, mathematics and improve creative writing. The wonderful thing about my staff is that they work together. I am so proud of them. There is cohesion. But that is not to say we would not have minor differences.”

If she is given two additional teachers, Dhaniram-Gosine said the school would perform beyond expectations.

“I have members of staff who give of their time to supervise extra-curricular activities after school hours. They also do lunch time and recess supervisions to ensure there is no school bullying. Every teacher has a day to supervise. This minimises incidents in the school.”

Dhaniram-Gosine said she also has an open-door policy for students who want to raise concerns.

“From 6.30 every morning my office is opened so the students can come to speak to me in private if they have a problem and want help. They don’t have to raise their issues in front of the class in they are feeling uncomfortable.”

Still basking in the glory of their success, Dhaniram-Gosine has already begun to eye a few of her 2019 SEA students who have the potential to follow in Rampersad and Ramnath’s footsteps.

“In this school, no student scores under 30 per cent.”

When Dhaniram-Gosine was notified on that one of her students had placed first in the test it was difficult to pinpoint who it was, stating that quite a few boys had been performing exceptionally well in class.

“For me, it was difficult to say. It had three boys that were my pick. Saiesh was one of them.”

bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt

Ahead of the July 16 by-elections to fill the vacant Local Government seats of Belmont East and Barataria, the T&T Guardian is putting the spotlight on the candidates in those races. Today the focus is on Nicole Young, the People’s National Movement candidate for Belmont East. The series began in the Sunday Guardian.

Tell us a bit about your background?

I am from Boissiere Lane, Belmont. I attended Maryland RC School and later attended St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain. After which, I read for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at UWI St Augustine, Campus. Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. I started my professional career as a social work assistant and I’m now a guidance counsellor at the Ministry of Education. I am also currently the vice-chairman of an NGO called the Youth Mobilisation Foundation (YMF) which has a focus of helping individuals and families within Port of Spain and beyond.

Why politics? Was it

I have always been politically aware, as I’ve always understood the importance of politics. To me, politics is fundamentally about service to others. As I have said, I have a background in social work and volunteerism. I have a passion for service and helping people. I saw this as an opportunity to serve my community in a different capacity.

Recycled politicians.

It’s not about another chance. It’s about continuing the great work already done by the People’s National Movement. The People’s National Movement has been an institution of stability and growth for this country. Since the 1950s, Trinidad and Tobago has undergone a great deal of development under PNM governance. We must not forget. You ask about “recycled politicians” What do you mean? I am a fresh, young woman who wants to serve my community and by extension my country. The People’s National Movement is a vehicle by which I will be able to serve.

What do you plan to do for the people of Belmont East should you be triumphant in local government elections? What is the prominent need?

In terms of infrastructural needs, Belmont East needs a more efficient water supply. Local drainage systems need to be repaired and improved. Dumping and garbage collection issues must also be permanently addressed. I am also aware that there is a significant rate of unemployment, especially among the young people.

I want to be a strong advocate for the people of Belmont East. I want the collective needs of the people to always be considered during the decision-making process of the corporation.

As the councillor, you have to forge strong relationships with key stakeholders such as WASA, CEPEP, T&TEC, etc. It’s an ongoing process and you have to be relentless but it can be done. In terms of employment, we must examine it from two angles. Firstly, employability is critical. In my vision for Belmont East, I have stated that I will champion for a permanent professional hub within Belmont, which would link with current programmes to provide sustainable skills training ranging from sound engineering to auto mechanics. Secondly, we must create stronger ties with both private and public potential employers and see if we can empower our young people.

If you had the opportunity to become a minister, which ministry do you believe you would be better suited and why?

My focus at this moment is on Local Government and specifically Belmont East. There is much work to be done and I’m up to the task. Choosing ministers is left to the Prime Minister and I have great respect for the process.

The newly-elected President of the Inter-Religious Organisation Canon Knolly Clarke believes that there should be further dialogue between the Education Ministry and the Association of Private Secondary Schools aimed at resolving the issue of the school fee paid by the Government to those schools.

Speaking to Guardian Media yesterday, Clarke said he was not convinced that the request made by the schools for an increase from the current fee of $1,200 to $5,700 was “unreasonable,” given that “basic supplies for schools, toiletries, materials for labs, et cetera are very expensive, and the request for the increase may not be as exorbitant as we think.”

Clarke said before going to the Cabinet with a recommendation from his Ministry, Education Minister Anthony Garcia should “come together,” with the chairpersons of the Boards of the Private Secondary Schools, “and have some kind of dialogue immediately.”

Garcia has held one meeting with the Association of Primary Secondary Schools and officials of the Ministry subsequently met with the Association.

Yesterday, Garcia was due to meet with the Strategic Executive team to look at the recommendation from the Director of Planning on the request for the fee increase, formulated after meetings with officials of the Association.

Garcia said after looking at the recommendation he will take a note to Cabinet on Thursday.

Clarke said he did not think that it was right that the Ministry should determine the quantum without consulting with the boards of each of the schools affected.

He said, “Each board has a financial controller, these are the people who would know how they have to spend, how to cut and contrive.”

Clarke said if the Ministry makes such a decision without the input of the people affected, “You are creating more problems. Nothing will go well. It will solve nothing.”

He admitted that the private secondary schools “are going to get hurt if the Government does not put children in the schools. How will the teachers get paid? Because even though the Government does not pay the teachers, they are paid from the resources of the school. I would like to see more discussion, more dialogue in the interest of the children,” Clarke said.

He said there must be dialogue to resolve the issue because it is critical. He said even government-assisted schools have to host various fund-raising ventures to supplement the money which they get from the government because while it’s a big help, it’s just not enough.

Clarke said, “Even the small private schools have functions, St Mary’s College annually hosts the function, Saints who can cook, all of this is to raise funds, schools host Carnival all-inclusive fetes because in order to maintain schools in the 21st century is plenty money.”

He said, “We raise money in different ways because although the teachers of government-assisted schools are paid by the government, it is very expensive to upkeep the schools in terms of maintenance, which is very important.”

In his own time in the Anglican Church, he said, he got donations of chemicals for the labs, “because these things are expensive.”

Clarke said the issue of whether the IRO should mediate in the situation is to be discussed at a meeting of the executive of the organisation.

On the issue of the unusual delay in payment of fees to the private secondary schools for the term just ended, Garcia made it clear that was not the fault of the Ministry but as a result of the downturn to economic problems.

With the economy now turning around, he said, “I hope we will not see a recurrence of such a situation where our debtors have to wait quite some time so that we can discharge our responsibility.”

Garcia admitted to being “very concerned” about the situation, “and I am hoping we will be able to discharge our responsibility more effectively.”

Two days after he escaped bullets from gunmen, Fabien “Super” Williams was killed on Sunday while at the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas.

However, the gunmen were so determined to get their target this time around that they sprayed bullets in the direction where Williams, of Sea View Hill, Carenage, was standing, killing two others - Kedel “Timeless” Osbourne, 21, also from Sea View Hill and Andrew Francis, 39, of Mamoral No. 2.

Three others, including eight-year-old Jakeem Moses, of Pelican Extension, Morvant, were wounded. The other injured people were identified as Ian Brown, 20, of Upper Sea View, Carenage and Keron Jones, 26, of Cleaver Heights, Arima.

According to a police report, shortly after 7 pm gunmen opened fire on beachgoers at the popular venue, sending everyone scampering for safety. Police said Williams, Osbourne and Francis were killed instantly. Investigating officers believe the gunmen were after Williams. Police said they knew him well as he faced several firearm offences in the past.

The T&T Guardian was also told that on Friday there was an attempt on Williams’ life when gunmen opened fire on him while he was liming at a bar. Police believe Sunday’s incident was gang-related.

Williams’ relatives refused to talk to the T&T Guardian yesterday.

However, a relative of Osbourne, who wished not to be identified, expressed outrage over the incident. He also blamed the police for the spiralling crime rate.

“Innocent people have to go just so in this country? The police, especially the Carenage Police, don’t care a damn about us out here. This crime gone out of control and nobody cares who get kill and if they innocently get kill…that’s the reality,” Osbourne’s relative said.

He described Osbourne as “cool.”

“I really don’t have nothing much to say about anything again…I don’t even want to see anything about this in the media…We just fed up of this.”

Osbourne’s relative, who was visibly upset, said relatives only positively identified Osbourne’s body at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday and questioned how his name could have been leaked to the media before.

Francis’ sister, Margaret Logan, said her brother went with friends for a day of relaxation at the beach. She added that she never thought she would have ever received such “terrible news.”

“This is horrible…my brother was friendly, talkative and was just a comedian to all. I don’t even know what else to say because it is like a nightmare to know that you can go anywhere now and have to keep looking over your shoulder,” Logan said.

She added that her brother, who was a farmer, had three children, the last of them, Asia, being born just three weeks ago.

Yesterday, baby Asia was seen swaddled in a white blanket in her mother’s arms at the Forensic Science Centre in St James.

In an unrelated incident later on Sunday, Andy Naggassar, 35, was fatally shot while at Jitman Drive, Five Rivers, Arouca. Nagassar lived at Seventh Street, Range Road, Five Rivers. Police said a motive was yet to be determined for his killing.

Also on Sunday at about 1.30 am, Andrew Noel, 28, of Upper Dundonald Hill, St James, was killed when gunmen stopped the vehicle he was in and opened fire. Police said Noel was not the intended target of the gunmen. Officers said another occupant of the vehicle who was the intended target escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, police are still probing the shooting of a man and woman in Maloney on Saturday. Police said at about 10 pm both victims were standing along the roadway when a vehicle drove past them and its occupants opened fire on them. The victims, whose identities weren’t disclosed, were taken to hospital where they are warded in serious conditions.

In Maraval at around the same time, Ezekiel Blaisell, 21, was shot and wounded while walking along the Saddle Road near Beard Street. Police said Blaisell, who was shot several times in the leg, was taken to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where he was treated and warded in a stable condition.

The weekend’s five killings brought the murder toll to 294.

Investigations are continuing into all incidents.

There is no Government support for Harold Phillip as the Police Commissioner and it’s back to the Police Service Commission on the issue.

That was Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s position on the issue as he spoke in Parliament yesterday.

He added that Government won’t support the PSC’s nomination of Phillip (deputy Commissioner) for the top post since they wouldn’t accept people who didn’t apply for the job. “...Therefore Harold Phillip doesn’t qualify to get Government’s support,” Rowley added.

The PM made Government’s position clear during the sitting - convened during the annual recess- to deal with the PSC’s notification of Phillip for the CoP post.

Last Tuesday just before Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis announced the recess, she noted that a “document” was received on a notification for the post. She said it wouldn’t be dealt with since in recent debate (on the PSC’s nomination for Deodat Dulalchan for the same post) Government said the PSC’s process was flawed.

However, the next day she said the notification received last week would be debated yesterday, since a letter from the PSC chairman accompanying the notification came to her attention only after last Tuesday’s sitting. PSC chairman Bliss Seepersad had, according to Legal Notice (2015) governing the selection, submitted notification for Phillip - the second-ranked in the process - after notification for Dulalchan failed.

In debate yesterday, Rowley thanked Robinson-Regis for saying Government wouldn’t support the notification for Phillip.

“God alone knows what interpretation would have been put on this ... she told the country Government will not be supporting this and that should have cleared up the conversation,” he said.

Rowley said Government wasn’t prepared to accept the PSC’s process since “the deal breaker was that people who didn’t apply for the CoP’s position must not walk away with the post.”

He said it was on those grounds Government said in last month’s debate on the matter that the two names recommended for CoP and deputy CoP wouldn’t be accepted. He said maybe those two applicants didn’t even think they qualified for that job and they’d applied for what they thought they could manage.

“... But the PSC made one callaloo and tell you that someone who didn’t apply for the post was now at number one,” he said.

Saying Government had senior counsel advice on the matter, as the PSC did, Rowley explained the law required a merit list of candidates for the CoP post. He said while Government isn’t prepared to accept people who didn’t apply for the job, it’s following the law on the matter since he wouldn’t do anything to successfully open Government to legal challenges.

“(So) Today we will not affirm Mr Harold Philip for the post and the matter goes back to the PSC to follow the law,” he added.

Denying Government was violating the Constitution by not debating the matter, Rowley said Government has “no horse in this race.”

“What we have is a situation that’s patently untenable, that its arrangement for appointing a CoP is so convoluted, confused and sometimes contrived, that for years we haven’t been able to appoint a CoP,” he added

If ever there was a case to be made for “change for change sake” or “ulterior motive not always being change for the better,” he said this was it.

Rowley noted previous changes on the process, including under the Manning administration, of removing the prime ministerial veto on the appointment of a CoP, “and now we have ‘Veto On Steroids’ since it falls to Parliament to handle the matter.”

Rowley said he’d noted a “lot of confusion” on what was the course being followed in and out of Parliament and even at PSC level. He said the notification Robinson-Regis received last week wasn’t on Parliament’s order paper and the only place for resolution of the matter involves it being on the order paper

“So all the commentary about ‘incompetence of the Government’ is so much hooey (sic) as until it gets on the order paper the Government has nothing to do,” he said.

radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt

Water is being restored to some parts of Penal following Monday’s fiery protests.

Guardian Media was informed that parts of Clarke Road, Penal received water yesterday while other areas including Teemul Trace and Naipalia Trace were expected to receive water today.

Since May, residents have been complaining about dry taps, saying they have to pay as much as $600 for a truck-borne supply.

On Monday, several people including amputee Seemungal Bhagwandass joined in protest by lighting tyres at the intersection of Clarke Road and Teemul Trace. The residents vowed to take their protests outside the office of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley if they did not get water.

Bhagwandass, who suffers from a series of medical complications said he was fed up with having to bathe with a jug of water.

“We deserve to have water just as the President deserves to have water. This is wrong. We cannot live without water and they are suffering us,” he said.

Another resident, Kissoon Tulsie, said since May, areas including Naipalia Trace, Naipalia Branch Trace, Satnarine Trace, Teemul Trace and some parts of Clarke Road did not have water.

Accusing the Water and Sewerage Authority of playing politics with water, Tulsie said under the former government they had pipe-borne water on a 24-hour basis.

“Now we cannot get water not even once per week. We are not asking for much. All we want is water once for the week,” Tulsie added. He said the Clarke Road Water Treatment plant was located about a mile away and despite this, they were unable to get water.

“We have been calling WASA on a daily basis. Our bills are up to date. Why can’t we get water,” Tulsie said.

Another resident, Sarojanie Teeluckchan, said she has been forced to go by relative’s homes in Freeport, Chaguanas and Princes Town to wash clothes.

“It is unfair because I don’t owe a single cent to WASA. Why are they suffering us for water,” she asked. Teeluckchan said their protests was a last resort as they had been calling WASA for weeks.

“Every-time we call we have to listen to the disgusting recording for half an hour and if we do get through they tell us we have to wait our turn. They say water will be distributed within three to five working days. By then we have no choice but to buy water,” she added.

Asked how they were coping for water, Teeluckchan said some people who could afford it have been paying between $400 to $600 for a tank of water. Others have been depending on rainfall to get water.

Councillor for Penal Shanti Boodram said at a regional coordinating meeting recently, WASA officials said a pump at the Navet Dam had broken down.

“I want to know if it has been repaired. The last information we had was that water will be sent to the district by tomorrow,” she added.

kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt

As flooding remains a perennial problem in Debe, a couple is threatening legal action against a meat and produce company for blocking a watercourse which they said has led to water gushing into their property.

Even as residents of the SS Erin Road complained about the construction by Pawan Wholesalers Ltd, chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, Dr Allen Sammy said he could not comment that the issue as the Corporation has a matter pertaining to the legality of the structure in court.

In a pre-action protocol letter issued to the company’s owner, Ricky Sookdeo, retired public servants Chandradath and Karen Singh are claiming declaratory and or inductive relief as well as damages for nuisance. Through their attorney’s Dipnarine Rampersad and Company, the Singhs said they suffer nuisance, including constant flooding as a result of the impeded drain, foul-smelling odor from waste products, rotten dry goods as well as the increase in vermin, including rats and stray animals, which come onto their property from the company located along the SS Erin Road. They are alleging that the company blocked and encroached on the drain under the purview of the PDRC which channels water from the main road and surrounding area into a nearby river.

The drain, which was a natural watercourse, was converted into a box drain around 1990 by the Unemployment Relief Programme. The letter alleges that on November 10, 2015, the company constructed a driveway using steel sheets over the corporation’s drain. It is alleged that the company later extended its stockroom over the drain and enclosed it with an iron frame and galvanize sheet without permission.

Residents told Guardian Media yesterday that the blocking of the watercourse was responsible for flooding in their community. The drains on both sides of the SS Erin Road were filled with almost a foot a slush and silt. Sammy said that the drains in the region are cleaned often, but some property owners have built on the drainage reserves, making inaccessible for workers. That was true in some cases, but residents also showed open areas and culverts that were blocked. While viewing the construction, one of Sookdeo’s relatives began to scold Chandradath for complaining, saying that he should mind his business. Sookdeo said that he responded to the pre-action protocol letter in which he denied the Singhs’ claims. He said that the drain was passing through his property. However, he denied that they were causing the drain to be clogged, saying that every week he sends someone to clean it. He said that the only time the area was flooded was in 2017, due to Tropical Storm Bret. He said that the flood came from the other side of the SS Erin Road, where there was a clogged culvert.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is describing last Sunday’s triple murder on the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas as an act of “terrorism” and he is appealing to communities and citizens that if they know of people who are “arming themselves to let somebody know.”

Last Sunday, Fabien Williams, Andrew Francis and Kadel Osbourne were shot dead on the Boardwalk, while eight-year-old Jakeem Moses, Keron Jones and Ian Brown were injured when gunmen sprayed bullets into a crowd as they targeted Williams.

Yesterday, Rowley extended his sympathy to “all families that have experienced the effect of this tragedy.” But he also expressed concern that persons “must know somewhere who is armed, who is doing this and in defence of the community and the country, we need to let the authorities know who is doing this, so that some kind of response, an appropriate response, can take place.”

He said it was “wholly unacceptable that this type of, and I want to use the word terrorism, could take place and to date no one is held accountable.”

Speaking on a radio programme yesterday, Rowley described the incident as “an attack on people relaxing in an environment where they are supposed to be safe.”

He said Government had been making “a lot of efforts around the country to bring back a sense of safety, but you make one step forward and there are people taking us two or three steps backwards.”

He appealed to those who know what is happening to speak out.

“There are members of families who know what is going on and are protecting these people and are putting the rest of the nation and other families at risk,” he said.

“There are people all over the country who are taking it upon themselves to be and to carry out cold-blooded killing and they are doing so under the understanding that nobody else will point them out or identify them as carrying guns and endangering the rest of the nation.”

Contacted yesterday on the issue, Tabaquite MP Dr Surujrattan Rambachan also expressed concerns about the Boardwalk shootings.

“You cannot tell me that one way in and one way out and you have the Chaguaramas police and the Carenage police and those people were allowed to get away like that,” Rambachan told the T&T Guardian.

He said the actions of the criminals indicate that they “have no respect or fear for the authorities in this country.”

This, he said, had to do with “the manner in which the Police Service is being led, it has to do with the state of the judiciary and the fact that the major institutions for law and order have broken down in this country or have lost integrity and respect. I make no bones in saying that it started from the Chief Justice come right down.”

Political commentator Ralph Maraj meanwhile said the crime situation “has escalated to frightening and unacceptable levels.”

He was of the view the time had come for Government to take the bull by the horns and revisit its previous positions and move with urgency to “declare a state of emergency. The Defence Force must be deployed. The peace must be re-established.”

Maraj is also suggesting that Government and the Opposition get together on the issue of crime “to amend the existing laws to allow the Defence Force to participate with the police in crime detection and detention and the powers of arrest.”

Such an initiative, he said, will allow the time and the space needed “to re-modernise the Police Service for greater effectiveness.”

If the Government does not make the first move he suggests that the “Opposition must call on the Government and make itself available.”

He said the Boardwalk shootings should tell Government “that something is fundamentally wrong. This is a war that the criminals have started and we must have unusual strategies.”

He said Government may also want to consider imposing a curfew in particular areas but said “winning the peace is critical.”

With self-imposed curfews and increasing fears of reprisal murders and shootings in the aftermath of Sunday’s triple murder at the Boardwalk in Chaguaramas, Carenage residents are now calling on the T&T Police Service’s elite forces to hunt down the killers, who are believed to be from the area.

Outspoken Carenage resident and activist Christopher Calder slammed the police for recently using two of its special units to locate a stolen cellphone belonging to Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s son and not using the said units for putting a “clamp on the criminals.”

“Watch how quick the special police find that phone belonging to Colm Imbert’s son but the killers roaming free all over the place,” Calder shouted in disgust over the spiralling crime rate as he gesticulated with his cellphone in hand for emphasis.

Calder was sharing his views to Movement for Social Justice leader David Abdulah, who held a walkabout at Upper Sea View Road, Carenage, yesterday, where he also expressed his condolences to the families of two of the victims.

Another resident who wished not to be named identified two people he believes are behind the murders and shootings in the area and called “for their heads.” He also said since the fatal shooting residents are now locking their doors and going inside their homes by 6.30 pm.

“Them two people need to be killed and then all this nonsense will stop. Carenage is a nice area you know but the shootings start back and that spoiling things around here now. But, trust me, those two needed to be killed for this to stop,” the resident said.

Asked where these two people operate from, he answered: “They from here but they in hiding and they operate via phone. Everybody knows who they are, even the police, but the police not doing anything about it.”

Another resident, who also wished not to be identified, said the Carenage annual football league was expected to start in August but feared there would be no participation because of the shootings.

“Sports is one thing that does bring everybody here as one but the way how things looking now I doubt the football league will kick off because who knows, gunmen could come and open fire on the men who playing or coming out to look at the games. That’s the reality of this situation.”

Abdulah said during the walkabout he was told by the residents that the youths turn to crime because of the problems of unemployment and issues the community faces, including a basic efficient water supply. He also said one of the murder victims, Fabien Williams, had joined an MSJ’s walkabout earlier this year.

“He saw us walking and he joined us and highlighted the issues faced. He was very vocal and pleaded for that help and upliftment of his community,” Abdulah said.

“Residents are very hurt and angry, not only about the killings but the neglect of the community by the MP (referring to Diego Martin West MP and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley). They do not feel like they are part of the society, as they see the wealthy getting all the benefits.”

PM Rowley meanwhile said yesterday evening that the killers could face charges under the new Anti-Gang law.

Rowley, who was speaking on I95.5 FM’s Afternoon Drive, said the information he had was that it was a gang-related incident, adding criminals cannot make danger zones out of recreational spaces. He called on citizens to play their role in the fight against crime.

“We really are inflicted by serious gang activities. There was a time when violence and killings were confined to small areas in the country, now it’s widespread because of the availability of the firearms and there seems to be a willingness in the population for people to harbour murderers, cold-blooded killers, even in their own families,” the PM said.“It is time for communities to speak out against violence…If you could identify someone who spray a crowd with an automatic weapon it would qualify as terrorism…I’m saying from the source and reasons of their outburst, it appears as though, from the information that I have at this time, that there are some elements of terrorism.”