Two women were shopping in a downtown Port-of-Spain fabric store, Thursday. One of them remarked that she was not venturing into the interior of the premises for fear of being murdered like Shannon Banfield. This is now the pervading fear among many women venturing into the capital.
A merchant whose store is located close to IAM and Company on Charlotte Street, where Banfield’s body was discovered on December 8, said that with her killer still at large this did not instill any confidence in the population by the police.
The bank worker’s death, coupled with the reported dismal sales for merchants during a downturn in the economy does not bode well for a prosperous Christmas season in the capital.
One businessman in close proximity had another conundrum. A female customer had bought a large Christmas tree and she had parked on lower George Street. Two of his porters could not deliver the tree for her because they lived “behind the bridge” and there was an invisible demarcation line where they cannot cross. A third porter who did not live in the area refused to go for fear of mistaken identity.
Moroccan-born businessman, Ayoub Kabli is encouraging shoppers to get out of their shell and come to Port-of-spain, claiming there was ample parking above Park Street and the crime was unfortunately stereotyped.
Speaking to the Sunday Guardian at his Bedouin rest cafe, Royal Atlantic on Charlotte Street, Kabli said “Charlotte Street compared to 15 years ago is one of the safest places, it’s just in people’s heads how dangerous they think town is.
“You can get robbed anywhere in Trinidad. Most of the crimes happen outside Port-of-Spain, in the East, West and South.
“It is obvious, don’t look like a target. My advice is don’t flash hundred dollar bills in your hand and don’t have big, gold chains sticking out.”
Kabli, 51, a resident in Trinidad for 20 years, shot dead a gunman who tried to rob him at his business on Henry Street, in 2012.
He said sales were much slower this year, buying patterns had changed with the advent of warehouse clubs and South Asian expos. Wil Chang, general manager of S Chang Variety Store, said ten days before Christmas a shopper normally cannot walk into a store on Charlotte Street because it would be full of people, now the stores were half empty.
He said the street was known for bargains and cut-rate prices, however people were willing to pay more money in the malls that was perceived to be safer to shop.
Chang said he was hoping that there will be extra police on the streets, that Port-of-Spain Mayor, Joel Martinez, will be trying “something” but it may be too late to make up for this year and hopefully things will improve next year.
A supermarket owner on upper Charlotte Street said there may be short and long-term repercussions of the IAM incident as women did most of the buying, they may be more cautious coming into town or would decide to stay away.
He said suppliers imported less goods either due to a slow down in the economy or a lack of US funds.
The supermarket owner said sales were much quieter than last year, customers were not buying as much luxury items such as chocolates, sweets and expensive alcohol, but basic food items.
He advised women to pay attention to their surroundings, do not be engrossed on the cellphone, secure their purse, cellphones and no ostentatious display of “bling”.
A supermarket owner on lower Charlotte Street attributed the slow sales to the recession, crude oil had dipped below $50 a barrel, and people calling for a boycott of IAM.
He said his business also took a hit when 14,000 people were removed from the T&T food card programme.
Gary Aboud, managing director of Mode Alive said sales must suffer due to Government’s misplaced regulations such as no parking in the inner city.
He said vehicles were being wrecked when there was no traffic, yet vendors were erecting tents in the same place where the towed vehicles were parked.
Aboud said violence was everywhere, billions were being misspent on national security, yet there were few if any police to be seen in the high-traffic capital city where the population in search of value for money flock to the capital city.