Copyright trinidadexpress
PORT OF SPAIN businessmen who complained about an increase in pick-pocketing and purse snatching met twice with the city’s mayor and the police this week bringing the issue to their attention. The information was disclosed following the two meetings—one on Wednesday and another yesterday—between the business community, the office of the mayor, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Port of Spain City Police. President of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) Gregory Aboud told the Express yesterday that incidents of pick-pocketing and the snatching of purses and jewelry were not random acts, but an organised, structured plan to rob visitors to the city. He said there is a leadership structure and the “foot soldiers” consist of young men between the ages of 15 and 20. He also disclosed that there is a safe house in East Port of Spain where valuables ripped from people walking through the capital are collected and sorted. Aboud said it is on that basis, DOMA called for the meetings with the mayor and law enforcement which was attended by business operators, Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Suzette Martin, Snr Supt PoS Division Raymond Thom and Supt City Police Glen Charles. He said, during the meeting, they made a “reasonable case” to law enforcement officials. “The problem is we never really saw any substantial change in the pick-pocketing and snatch and grab situation and we have made a reasonable case to DCP Suzette Martin and Snr Supt Thom regarding the seriousness of situation and the organised crime of snatching people’s belongings,” Aboud said. “This has been the result of an organised effort by gang leaders who are sending out young boys between ages 15 to 20 to attack persons for their belongings and return the items to a central location and this location has been pointed out to the police,” he added. He said, however, that he was hopeful for a safer Christmas and Carnival seasons. “We are hoping this issue will receive the response it deserves in terms of protecting the public and assisting the city of Port of Spain to compete with the many destinations where customers have options. “We wish to assure the public that we are working steadfastly to achieve this goal of safety and to welcome persons to the city centre with confidence, so we are investing time an making the effort as we don’t just intend to throw in the towel,” Aboud said. The Express also reached out to Alleyne who indicated that by next week a police post off the Brian Lara Promenade is expected to be in place. “This project is an initiative of the Port of Spain City Council and part of our Clean City initiative. The police post will be operated jointly by our City Police Service and other arms of law enforcement to see a more consistent law enforcement presence in the city centre. “The Council is very committed to improving public safety and security across the city and we look forward to collaborating with the business community, TTPS and other stakeholders in this effort,” he said.
