Anna-Lisa Paul
Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
Days after gunmen executed three people at their Upper Pioneer Drive, Petit Valley home, Diego Martin Central MP Symon de Nobriga and Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland, hosted a community meeting to reassure residents that their safety and security were of paramount importance.
During last Thursday’s town hall, which was also attended by senior police from the Western Division, residents heard what measures would be introduced in the short, and mid to long term.
Marlon Lee, 41; his son Malik Lee, 17; and Marlon’s common-law wife Salina Rodriguez, 34; were shot multiple times by gunmen on September 9. While the father and son both died at the scene, Rodriguez died at hospital.
Following the incident, de Nobriga pledged to do all he could to allay the fears of the traumatised burgesses, which included listening to what they needed to once again feel safe in their homes.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday in Piarco, de Nobriga said the meeting was well attended, adding they “were able to have a very wholesome and honest conversation with the community.”
He said residents were frank with their suggestions about what needed to be done in the interim.
Among the measures implemented between last week to present, was the setting up of a neighbourhood WhatsApp group comprised of residents, business owners and the police.
“The community nominated one person to join the Station Council, and that will also give the station itself, community and on-the-ground information whenever situations occur,” de Nobriga revealed.
Confirming mobile patrols had been increased as another immediate measure, de Nobriga said the feedback from the police had also been positive. He claimed senior police officials were confident they would be able to bring closure to the situation.
But the Communications Minister admitted, “Dealing with this as a one-off is not the way to ensure that it does not recur and that is what we are looking at.”
Longer-term measures include enhanced street lighting in certain locations and the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the area.
The MP said the last measure would assist police in obtaining real-time information so they can respond in a timely manner and act quickly to apprehend perpetrators.
He said a certain level of cooperation was needed to make this partnership work seamlessly, adding the police and residents agreed there had to be mutual efforts from both sides.
On the issue of trust and confidentiality, he acknowledged the fear persons had in reporting crimes in the community, noting they faced victimisation and retaliation from criminal elements for doing so.
As officers present addressed this, de Nobriga said they assured the community that there continue to be ways to inform the police anonymously.
He reminded persons to call 8OO-TIPS or 555 and to visit their social media pages where information can be submitted anonymously also.