Thursday July 29th, 2010
- Last update:2 hours 6 min ago
Football
Cricket
Woman shot dead at police station
Published: 25 Jun 2009
Two suspects dressed in uniforms resembling those worn by police of the Crime Scene Unit are led into the West End Police Station yesterday. PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR
Unfazed by the presence of armed police officers, brazen criminals shot dead a 39-year-old woman in the compound of the West End Police Station in Diego Martin, yesterday afternoon. Daniel’s desperate attempt to elude gunmen ended in her life being senselessly snuffed out by criminals bent on taking away her gold Nissan Almera car. Daniel, mother of a young boy, of Finch Drive, River Estate Road in Diego Martin, went to Factory Road to pick up a female friend to go to lunch. As the two were seated in the car chatting, which police believe was unlocked, three men, one armed with a gun, jumped into the back and pointed the weapon at Daniel, ordering her to drive to Rich Plain.
Sensing that her life and that of her friend may be in danger, Daniel sped into the West End Police Station, crashing into a concrete culvert at the side. But in apparent rage, the gunman fired a single shot at Daniel. Investigators said the bullet hit her on the spine and exited through the nose. She died on the spot. Alerted by the loud explosion, within seconds scores of police officers ran out of the station and rushed to Daniel’s aid. Two of the assailants then ran out of the car, jumped over the station’s wall and made their escape in a waiting black Nissan Almera, parked along the Western Main Road. Police, who received a tip-off, later intercepted the car at a yard in Rich Plain.
There was then an exchange of gunfire, after which one man was nabbed by police. Upon searching Daniel’s car, officers recovered a loaded pistol. Acting on additional information, Western Division officers went back to Rich Plain and held four men believed to be linked to Daniel’s killing. Investigators were using footage from the closed-circuit cameras at the station to identify the suspects. Up to late yesterday afternoon, the Rich Plain area was under lockdown by heavily-armed police and soldiers who combed the Diego Martin hills for more suspects.
“Not taking that”
Upon hearing of his wife’s murder, Stanley Nottingham, a lance corporal with the T&T Defence Force, darted to his wife’s crashed car. Cradling her dead body, he tenderly stroked her face and then planted a kiss on her forehead. As he emerged from the car, with tears streaming down from his face, Nottingham lifted his arms, shouting: “I not taking that so.” Nottingham’s colleagues, also shaken by the news, gathered outside the police station. They, too, demanded that the perpetrators face swift justice.
Senior cop: A sad day
Contacted yesterday, acting Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes said the country had witnessed a “new and heinous level” of lawlessness. “It is a very sad day when a citizen cannot drive into a police station and seek help to be safe,” he said. “That goes to show the country has reached a different kind lawlessness.” Daniel’s killing has also sparked anger among officers of the West End Police Station who dubbed it as “senseless.”
Acting Sgt Dhanraj Narine said, “It is mere lawlessness. “A person’s life means nothing at all because somebody wants a car...Some people just out there to destroy,” he said. Saying he, too, was unable to make sense out of Daniel’s killing, Narine said, “I don’t think any police officer would feel good that a citizen is gunned down on the compound of a police station.”
Criminals Don't Care!!! I am
Criminals Don't Care!!! I am making this point since Keiran Parke, the court and process officer that was shot and killed and his revolver stolen, this happened some years ago, he was killed by youth on a bicycle, he was shot in the back...remember that? then there was the army officer killed last year on father's day in his daughter's christening party at his home in diego martin. The fact that it was a soldier's child christening means EVERYBODY in that party would have been a soldier yet still these guys came and shot up the place killing the soldier and his friend Noel'sharky' Charles. Now they are in a police station compound and they killed the woman.....These criminals (youths) fear and respect No One! We cannot keep using the hold their hands and ask them to stop approach! Ask them to please bring in your guns! Get Rid of Joseph and get somebody who can get the job done we don't expect a miracle and crime to stop BUT things can be done and put in place that they think three and four times before they act!!!!!
WE NEED AN OPPOSITION
WE NEED AN OPPOSITION people!!! Can't some people come together and form a proper party???? When elections come around what will the people's options be?? UNC will not be getting my vote, I'm hoping COP will still be around as that is the nearest option. but this country is dying for fresh faces in politics!!! Can't something be done????? Hell I'd vote for a parrot in a suit backed by monkeys if it means getting these retards out!!
PS: Yes I posted this comment on another story Too
Flawed Process Flawed
Flawed Process Flawed Leaders
Democracy is for the people by the people. What we have in T&T is for the people with money by the people with money. . This is obscene and undemocratic and anyone who supports it is unpatriotic. Someone should not be able to use his money to buy political power. This is where the corruption begins. We need ELECTION CAMPAIGN LAWS that limit donations and make them public When business men contribute they expect favors in return through contracts. Then the politicians expect kickbacks. CLICO contributed 20 million to PNM and were also giving money to UNC. As a matter of fact CLICO was so powerful in UNC that Panday blue eyed boy was Carlos John that is when he and Ramesh fell out the first time. One of the cases that Panday has in court is receiving scholarships from CLICO for his children. Druprey said in court that since he was young the family has given money and gifts to PNM. CLICO is not the only company that does this most conglomerates do. We have the recent case of Emile Elias saying that he will not contribute to PNM again. He was the recipient of many major contracts, and was the loudest detractor on the Airport Project. He is now being accused with Rowley by the said PNM of corruption. The ting tie up like crab. Investors control the parties from behind the scenes, when they can't they mash it up and support someone else. This is what is happening with Jack and UNC. Ish, Steve, and Brian were PNM financiers before moving their support to UNC. Brian Kwei Tung has the distinction of being the Minister of Finance under PNM and UNC. He only learns to thief under UNC. Please. The investors are like gangs on the block fighting for turf. When you think you are voting for a party you are really voting for the investors. Sometimes these investors invest in all parties that is why when you think you will get change from a new Leader and party you are really getting exchange.
It is no different in PNM, UNC, COP or RAMJACK.
Marchalis, can't help but
Marchalis, can't help but agree with you.
One problem though. With our current detection rate, there simply aren't enough convicted criminals on death row for the most dotish one running loose to 'get the picture'.
Clearly, the criminals have NO FEAR. I no longer ascribe to the myth that a criminal/bully is more afraid than his victim. What is there to be afraid of when there is little or no apprehension to carry out a punishment?
Not true. We have enough
Not true. We have enough convicted killers on death row. We just not reading the death sentence to any of them. The problem is our Prime Minister whose personal religious belief will not allow him, as Prime Minister, to instruct the Attorney General to carry out the law of the land. He is waiting for the 5 year period to lapse so that his place in heaven is assured because no one was hung under his watch. But how many are being murdered under his watch? His simple minded logic would be, "But I didn't give instuctions to murder the victims, my dear friends!". In this respect, Manning as PM is of little use to Trinidad & Tobago.
My sincere condolences and
My sincere condolences and sympathy go to the family of Camille. I do not know this lady, but she is a member of a civilized universe, a human being and like all human beings must be treated with respect and not be taken away from her family and loved ones in the cowardly manner in which these alledged "bandits" committed their acts of violence. I love this country, the birthpalce and the place where I intend to return to soon, but why in a civilized world, in 2009, are acts like this and all the other senseless acts allowed to happen ?
Shouldn't criminals who have no regard for life should pay for their acts, why aren't these coward criminals be sentenced to die by hanging as it once used to be, There are many, many beautiful and GOOD people in Trinidad, people who just want the same thing that you and I want, to live in peace and harmony, happiness, get up and walk or go out without fear or having to look behind your back. It used to be like this you know, believe it or not. The country need real men and women in position of authority to act swiftly and responsibily. Like all people in this world, we just wnat a chance to be free, to be happy and live among our brothers and sisters in harmony. I don't know what else can be done to fix this false and cowardly acts, but one thing I know for certain, is that evil only exists when good people, men and women, stand by and do nothing. I continue to pray for the families of these atrocious acts, as well as for all the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
To the above writer, you
To the above writer, you mentioned Diego Martin, but let’s not forget that there are places all over Trinidad and Tobago where Criminal elements are harvested.
Actually, while visiting T&T a few years ago, we personally witnessed in passing and picture taking, a drug deal going on in broad daylight in Tetron, close to the Army Base, a place where you might feel extremely safe, with people going about their merry ways pretending not to notice.
It is fair to say places where there are Ports of Entries by Sea, where ships and small boats can come in, such as Maraval, Maracas, Toco, Pierreville, Guayaguayare, Morouga, Fullarton, Point Fortin etc.
You get my point, my friend.
Even back in the early 80’s when I migrated, the San Fernando Wharf was a bad area to be, the Falls West Mall, where I love to shop is a bad place to be, Westmorring and Goodwood Park one would be surprise what could turn up if search warrants are executed for some of the home in those areas, likewise, areas as Caranage, Laventille, Arouca etc.
Though I sympathize and can indentify with your sadness, pain and frustration, about the Criminal element and other problems in my old Country of T&T, let us remember where the real Criminal behaviour stems from and where we will find the “cargo” of it.
P.Ontario
LisaTS I do not know how
LisaTS
I do not know how recently you have been to the Falls West Mall, but I personally have not experienced anything untoward and must say that I do see the security personel on their rounds. Cannot say if there are plain clothes security and clearly, they would not be good at their jobs if I was aware of their presence.
You also wrote: "Westmorring and Goodwood Park one would be surprise what could turn up if search warrants are executed for some of the home in those areas, likewise, areas as Caranage, Laventille, Arouca etc."
I do not knowingly associate with criminal elements but they too are human and if they could move out of the last three places you mentioned, in to the first two areas, why not? I was in another Caribbean island recently and my taxi driver was pointing out some fantastic houses - three, four stories, all the candy colours imaginable... he would also add comments... drug lord... drug lord's parents.. drug lord's daughter... It is a mistake to assume that 'criminal elements' do not live in the 'nicer areas' in any country.
YOU KNOW what LA DIVA, you
YOU KNOW what LA DIVA, you have missed my point entirely, and as a matter of fact you seem to be attacking the housing issue a bit too much today, which has nothing to do with the death of the woman outside a police station or the target of criminal element in “Trinidad and Tobago”
We are happy you made it out of the ghetto!
Maybe in another place and time, you would get the case and point I made above, unfortunately, today was not that day for you.
I could explain it to you, however,I currently do not feel like parting with any more brain cells.
Dear LisaTS Thank you so
Dear LisaTS
Thank you so much for your most eloquent response. If there has been a miscommunication, it is usually the 'responsibility' of the initial communicator. I extend my apologies for misunderstanding your message. It would also appear that you have also misunderstood mine. For that too I sincerely apologise and will endeavour not to let that happen again.
Having never been in 'the ghetto' either physically or mentally or in my heart... perhaps if our paths should cross, you would treat me as a friend and be my personal tour guide seeing as you seem to know so much about it? As you may have seen from my previous posts, I am quite keen on learning; Walcott and Naipaul 'not I am'.
But, I thank you all the same for your happiness and what you (and others?) perceive my accomplishments to be.
LisaTS, by the way. Lots of people have from come 'less promising' starts in life and have gone on to positively influence the lives of others. John Assaraf being one such example and as far as I can remember, I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth; nor shoes on my feet.
Let us not forget why we are here responding to this article. There is yet another grieving family and groups of friends. So, instead of being at logheads... over communications styles... let us be shoulder to shoulder to see how we can turn this tide. I read a follow up item where I believe the murdered lady's sister was quoted? She was dignified and thought provoking even in her grief. Let us respect and support that.
La Diva
LOOK La DIVA, Thanks for
LOOK La DIVA,
Thanks for taking time from your schedule to draft this lengthy tale; however, it has been noted with absolutely no interest from me as it serves no point nor assists T&T as a country.
Let me address this in your comment:
“I do not knowingly associate with criminal elements but they too are human and if they could move out of the last three places you mentioned, in to the first two areas, why not?”
This is where we differ, you see a criminal element is not a human; therefore we do not share the same indulgent nor perspectives.
To question my opinion, with your “why not” without fully understanding my remarks in its entirety was an error on your part.
A Criminal element in our Society should not be treated with the same duty of care, respect, concern and admiration, therefore, for a criminal to move up in our society by illegal, shameful and morally wrong means, in the interest of justice, in my book, the answer from me is: it is an unacceptable “should not”, and that my friend is the difference between you and me.
Secondly in trying to assume you knew the operations of my mind, you fail to realize that the word “LIKEWISE” means “in the same or a similar way” or “used to state that the same applies in a second or subsequent case”
Therefore, your analysis of my paragraph:
"Westmorring and Goodwood Park one would be surprise what could turn up if search warrants are executed for some of the home in those areas, likewise, areas as Caranage, Laventille, Arouca etc."
With your answer:
“It is a mistake to assume that 'criminal elements' do not live in the 'nicer areas' in any country”.
Was incorrectly applied, hence, you get no apologies from me, not now or ever, as you still do not comprehend the big picture.
Is it True
Is it True
That there is supposed to be a guard in front every police station.
The Government is a
The Government is a representative of the people. The people own the Government. We have a PM who is not managing his team effectively. I only say this because the results of our National Security plan are very poor. Min. Joseph may be a very nice individual personally and he probably is trying his best, but there comes a time when a decision has to be made to change gears when things are not working. I believe, the people have allowed and accommodated Mr. Joseph with their time, their resources, their money and every opportunity to carry out his work. It is having no real measurable effect. You cannot keep quoting statistics as a barometer of how successful crime fighting is. The true barometer is the citizens and how safe they perceive they are. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE!!!
We NEED a National Security Chief that will initiate drastic changes to the way things are done. I propose a few and you can build on them.
• A better trained and equipped police service. Equipped does not mean vehicles. Police officers must be seen. It is time we have officers on foot and/or on bicycles, walking and riding through neighborhoods. This I believe is more effective than five officers riding in one jeep all over the place. We must have mobile patrols and community patrols.
• ALL officers need individual two way radios to summon help at any given time.
• Police officers must be law enforcement officers 24/7 even when off duty. They must have the power to make arrest and prevent violent and dangerous crimes at all times. They must always have their badges and their weapons on their persons. (concealed when off duty)
• Assaulting, or shooting at police officers MUST be made a serious crime with very stiff penalties. (on or off duty)
• Police officers MUST be held accountable for their misdeed. Recruits must be screened thoroughly. Background checks, past history in school, in their communities, education. We must recruit the best, brightest, and most honorable citizens.
This list can go on so I will stop.
In addition to the police reforms, the judicial system must be upgraded and the courts have to operate at a swifter pace. Witnesses need to be protected. The prosecutors need more training, experience, and toughness. It is time the Min of National Security, the Attny’ General and the DPP create a professional group of prosecutors who are lawyers not police officers to conduct trials. This group will be trained specifically to only handle trials. Police officers need to only do policing and evidence gathering. Prosecutors also need to stop giving criminals sweetheart deals. I know deals are needed to get some of the worst off the streets, but amnesty from prosecution is not the best way to handle it. Deals should ALWAYS include jail time (reduced) or supervised monitoring.
Lastly, Trinidadians STOP complaining and DO SOMETHING about it. We are the ones that are empowering the criminals. They are brazen, boldfaced, and callous because we have gone into hiding and turned our streets and lives over to them. Nobody wants to bear witness,(AH SCARED) nobody wants to say stop that,(DAS NOT MY BIZNESS) nobody wants to say, you wrong and doing a bad thing,(AH LOVE HIM, DAS MEH BABY)
Until we are truly FED UP of being FED UP of being REALLY FED UP only then can we all work and solve the crime problem.
P.S. I have not even touched on playing politics with this crime situation.
It is only my opinion. You can disagree respectfully.
My Condolences to Lance
My Condolences to Lance Corporal Nottingham, Ms. Daniel's son and The Daniel family. It is hurtful to lose someone you love in such a violent way. I do not know how it feels but I am keeping up with the crimewave in Trinidad online from abroad.
Cpl. Nottingham and the members of the Defense Force please go into Diego and wipe out all the known criminals then ask questions to the community concerning the crime. If the media or any human rights group or any lawyer make mention of the exercise would you please shoot one of their family members, let them feel the pain the innocent people are currently feeling at the loss of a loved one.
I am constantly saddened by the innocent peole who are being killed. I have relatives in the army, police and even drive. I have nieces and nephews who are children so my concern is also for them.
What the HELL going on. Somebody wake up and smell the coffee.
Yet another tragedy for
Yet another tragedy for T&T.The crimes are so senseless and the criminals obviously have no value for human life and are fearless. Imagine to shoot and kill someone first of all over a car and secondly right in front of the police station.There is a message being sent, the fact that they have no fear in such a surrounding says something,they(the criminals) do not fear the law or law enforcement.there are too many people dying senselessly and no one being caught for the murders and so there is no fear instilled in the criminals because they figure no justice will be served anyways.So everyone does as they please.my condolences to the husband and family.A poor child is now left with out a mother.
Tinidad has become a Nation
Tinidad has become a Nation of Outlaw and Disorder.
The bandits and the gang members are the out laws and the Government under Patrick Manning are in Disorder.
Only Almighty God could solve our problems.Lord have Mercy on us.
If Patrick Manning decided
If Patrick Manning decided before he became Prime Minister that he was going to intellectually gamble his way into power riding on the nation’s love for the PNM party and their belief in Christianity/other religious belief included also…(to be politically correct).
Then, similar to most con artists’, whether for Power, Pleasure, Greed, or the love of Money; must balance their returns/profits on their investments, some are trained and groomed for their particular role, well in advance.
I would say the delusional PM invested well, nice returns in five years.
After his reign - he, his family and his band of merry men, fly out to another country, perhaps somewhere in North America to enjoy life, leaving the "unintelligent” behind.
Remember they would say Eric Williams was not dead; he left to live in China.
Keep screaming, can’t you all see the Government care not for the County or the people/citizens … no one is listening!
The citizens of T&T to the government, are like children throwing a tantrum for a toy or candies in a store, while being ignored by the parents – the decision has been made and the answer given is ”NO” or “ the “SILENT” treatment.
Bottom line: you are all being treated like kids.
Sad to say, but in retrospect, “Abu” had the right idea, just done in a wrong uncivilized way. These are radical unsafe times; positive “change” has to happen, immediately.
My sincere condolences and sympathy to the family, may you find the strength to deal with this senseless loss of a woman’s good life.
This is yet another sad
This is yet another sad tragedy for T&T, too many people are loosing there lives senselessly.The criminals committing the crimes have no respect for human life,and they are fearless.Imagine right by the police station!
We as a nation need to wake up. Trinidad and Tobago is a beautiful country full of potential,but right now it needs a lot of reconstruction regards to it crime fighting.
My regards to the husband, and family.....this is so sad.
Normally I am very unbiased
Normally I am very unbiased in my comments but I really don't know what to say about this one. I think we're really lost now.
As I recall sometime in the
As I recall sometime in the early 90's the UNC opposition fought tooth and nail against a plan put forward by the Police & Gov't to prevent ppl charged with violent crime from going out & commiting MORE violent acts against the public it was called the "No bail law" Mr Panday and his co-ethnics came out in the streets with his protesting lawyers demanding such a law not be passed, they were very successfull in their efforts(the logic behind this was that Lawyers know their clients go out and rob steal etc to PAY their 10,000$ fees & the party in opposition would still have the crime boggyman to attack the gov't with)
When the UNC was in power they were too concerned with trying to stay in power to focus on raising crime, and it still got out of control even with hanging Dole Chadee and his gang.
And even out of power they
And even out of power they wield their negative influence in their refusal to support the police bill. One of the main reasons we have the levels of crime we see is because we cannot deal effectively with rogue policemen. The CoP's hands are tied by the laws that do not permit him to act the way he wants to act. Using excuses like "the CoP is a tool of the government" the opposition continues to withold vital support that would remove the red tape and allow the CoP to act the way he needs to. Additionally the Police Service Commission puts a stop to effective action against rogue cops. They stand in the way of progress. When you can't hold officers personally accountable for illegal actions, the taxpayer foots the bill for lawsuits. There is much opposition to changing all that. It is not in the opposition's interest to see these things fixed. They see that as crediting the government and as the leader said and believes "We not in opposition to make the government look good". What about making the COUNTRY look good? Working TOGETHER is not in their selfish interests. At least the "other" opposition was more responsible putting country first.
Politicians are businessmen.
Politicians are businessmen. They are not in the business of putting the country first. All they care about is scholarships for their families and all the perks that comes with the job.
They call themselves public servants but is the public being served. These people don't care who they have to steam roll over; as long as they get theirs.
"We not in opposition to make the government look good" is one of the most unpatriotic remark for a former PM. A country is at stake here. These old men need to stop fighting for pissing ground and get on with the country's daily business.
These old men need to go
These old men need to go away... so that the country can get on with its daily business.
"Sweet T&T" is fast becoming
"Sweet T&T" is fast becoming the # 1 killing field in the Caribbean . I am at a loss as to why the government is not using the options at their disposal , such as locking down the comfort zones of the criminals with Joint-forces operations and sanitising these areas by getting rid of the criminal gangs . The unofficial policy of allowing the criminals to kill each other is fool-hardy and simply not working . Here an innocent citizen has been murdered because the police failed to lock down and sanitise the Rich Plain area . These miscreants are unpatriotic and if they are not destroyed , they will destroy "Sweet T&T" . My deepest condolences to Stanley Nottingham , family and friends of the dearly departed ; may she rest in peace .
THIS IS MADNESSS. I am Sure
THIS IS MADNESSS. I am Sure our Excutive President'Mr Manning" knows that their's some thing more to the story. That only previliged people know about and Mister Martin...... People supposed to feel safe in the whole country not only in the police Station. You out of all the very educated people who run this country should know this as you have the most crimes on you chest, ie if you have a heart.
WE NEED TO STAND UP NOW PEOPLE.
ENGINEER 1
South Trinidad
You, just when I think
You, just when I think things couldn't get any worse than murdering children.... you aren't even safe at a POLICE station?
My deepest condolences to the family, Ms. Daniel was a very brave woman.
The young woman was doing
The young woman was doing the right thing by not letting them have her car drove to the police station when the devils realised what she was doing they shot her.
The public here and the police will get no respect as long as we let those criminals get away and they are showing us just that. People are trying to fight back as best they can, this person has paid with her life. Last week we had five HERO's she is also one. Perhaps if we start recognising and focusing on all the young people who are doing good and are being law abiding.Perhaps if we ignore the politics that is attached to every thing and focus on keeping our community for ourselves we can make a difference.
I am sure our work should start in the daycares from now as we have lost a generation and should lose no more.
What shall we do next.
If we continue to leave
If we continue to leave these idle youths to roam the streets freely we will continue to have the same problem. I have been saying for quite sometime now, Compulsory National Service is the way to go. You must remove the idlers, those who are not working nor attending school/university. Left alone, they will rob, kill and kidnap. Why is it so hard to implement the CNS? If we are desperate then we should be trying the various suggestions presented which seems to make sense. I believe this one does.
Rudy Chato Paul, Sr. And I
Rudy Chato Paul, Sr.
And I am getting tired and fed up having to be sending out condolences every morning to families I don't even know. And I wonder when my time come how many condolences would my family and I receive?
Anarchy is here!!
Anarchy is here!!
Anarchy is here!! So get
Anarchy is here!! So get use to it. I feel like we are living under a passive despotic regime.
The Government has failed
The Government has failed the people of Trinidad and Tobago in so many ways. This is just another example. The poster above is right! Anarchy is here. But the problem goes much beyond the failures of the Government, Manning and Martin. They have failed the people, yes, but the democratic and political system has also failed. We have an incompetent PM, and an equally if not more incompetent minister in Martin. But the democracy we live in dictates that if we as citizens are fed up with the government and their in ability to safe guard the very people whom they swore an oath serve, we can vote them out in a General Election. However, to do so we must have a formidable force that is willing to go up against a historically stable PNM. This is what we don't have. So until those outside the PNM circle (UNC, COP, Panday, Jack Ramesh...and the list goes on) can unite and come together with one common goal to get the PNM out of power and bring stability back to our country we will continue down this dark path of ANARCHY.
Joining together to get the
Joining together to get the PNM out of power is not a good enough reason, not good enough for this besieged country. The priority has to be
(1) For the people and a solid manifesto to show us what your plan is for us
(2) To get rid of the PNM. So bleat on as all we will get is much of the same and worse.
This country needs a change of the POLITICAL faces that have been there for the past how much years, let us get a party of new faces and throw out all these has been's as they all have been here too long. Instead of destablising the country why dont they get together to solve the crime problem now.
I am not a party sicko just a normal citizen, I will not vote for joining up to get rid of PNM. I will vote for bettering my country anyone who can show me has my vote.
I swear this thing has me
I swear this thing has me really depressed.
Take a Valium they have them
Take a Valium they have them here and "THERE" or is it "THERE" and here
They are here, there and
They are here, there and everywhere. Yet I will hedge my bets on being a second class, "numbered" citizen in a place where:
-Crime detection is higher
-Police can respond to a call or will be held accountable for the most part
-I stand a greater chance on being attended to in a hospital
-the justice system grinds at a faster pace than in T&T
-I can be laid off more often than in T&T but can reap from a social net that I have contributed to for many years
-there is an appearance of my tax dollars at work to appease me
-my family can enjoy a certain sense of security even if it is a false one
-the crime does not appear to have reached my back pocket for now.
Everyone has to live somewhere but it now comes down to where one is prepared to hedge bets.Given the facts, I must settle for a choice made 20 years ago for the purpose of education of children with the desire to return once that mission was finished. Now it is finished what are my chances with respect to the above. Where is it best to hedge my bets?
Rudy Chato Paul, Sr. To the
Rudy Chato Paul, Sr.
To the individual who spoke about the use of "obscenities.' Let us please define 'obscene.' Obscene, my brother, is being shot in a police station. You don't seem to be worried about our children reading that! You should've told the media don't publish the story if you are so concerned with obscene. What you probably consider obscene is your understanding of sanitizing what needs to be said. 'Obscene' is having my people living in fear for their lives and that of their families. If that young lady was a family member, wife, girlfriend, daughter, mother or even friend of yours, I'd like to hear your response then. Obscene is having a murder rate of 550 plus over 100 "missing' while your jackass politicians fly up and down, blame everyone, remove tints, buy water taxis, put up cameras that don't work, build 'berms' while mosquitoes killing we. Obscene is hoping to be alive for one more day and be thankful for that. Obscene is when a loved one is not home by a given time, everyone becomes anxiously concerned about his or her welfare. I can go and on here. But I believe I have mde my bloody point. Obscene is when I am mad/angry/vex, how I express myself. I do not apologize for that to you or anyone else. It is my right to be as angry as I am; as we all should be. Then again, we have PNM and UNC till we dead amongst us. These are the defenders of their tin gods, because they depend on handouts from the state, whether in the form of contracts, a house or a 10 days. And they are as spineless as they come, opening their mouths only when something directly affects them.
I don't know the victim. But I feel for her and her family. And I have the right, like many others, to be angry. So please don't preach to us about being obscene. You seem to be forgetting that which side of the law we are on. the people who post their opinions and views didn't kill the young lady. Damn right I am mad.
You've said it best Rudy.
You've said it best Rudy. Leave the nuances to ricky the moral police. We have every right to be outraged.
What a stupid comment: I am
What a stupid comment:
I am here in Kensington and Chelsea London neatly tucked away under the surveillance and protection of London Metropolitan Police service.
The Brazilian gentleman probably harbored the same thoughts, as he hustled to catch his train in the London subway that fatal day.
The biggest problem with crime in Trinidad is not the police, the PNM, or even the criminals themselves.
When these guys are charged for this murder, they can expect to be tried in the year 2016. It now takes on average 7 years to bring a High Court case to trial.
This is where the problem lies. We have to start "fast tracking" the heinous crimes like this murder, and the murder of Tecia Henry. Later on, we could work on clearing up the backlog.
Dear Twoleft and others who
Dear Twoleft and others who share the same view
The Brazilian gentleman probably harbored the same thoughts, as he hustled to catch his train in the London subway that fatal day.
Please do not bring this unfortunate incident into the discussions. Unless you were in London at that time (I was) or have experienced that sort of terror, you cannot begin to imagine the atmosphere - unless you experienced the riots that took place after the attempted coup. It was a time of immense suspicion and many people did not want to use the underground for fear of repeats acts. Yes the London police made some monumental mistakes but to use it to access London/the UK police track record is out of place here. As I heard someone say, the terrorist (or criminals) only have to get lucky once; the police have to get lucky 100% of the time. But, at least the UK police are getting the support from the government in a way that I cannot say the same abot T&T... inspite of all of our money.
Let us not lose track that a beloved woman, mother, daughter, wife, friend, lover, person has been killed. She did not die, she was murdered. The impact on her son; the images that will remain with her husband for the rest of his life. The coldbloodness with which this took place. Why did these guys have to shoot? Why didn't they just let themselves out of the car and runaway? Where did they get the 'boldfaceness' to attempt to steal the car INFRONT of a police station?
T&T needs some specialist help. Even if hanging was brought back in, would it act as a deterient? Really? If someone has that switch flipped off in their brain, the threat of being hung (losing their own life) is hardly going to stop them.
Question is... why/for what purpose were they going to use the car if they had succeeded. To 'sell for easy money'? Another henious deed? Personally, I feel that a sense of pride and personal accomplishment has to be reinstalled into the society of T&T and not one of 'easy options'... stealing (killing) to get the money to buy the material things in life, rather than by hard work and personal pride.
La Diva
Scrap Dealers, continue to
Scrap Dealers, continue to flourish with the help of car thieves. Princes Town,is the headquarters for purchasing and selling use cars and parts.
Princes Town might be small,
Princes Town might be small, but it was always a corrupt place.
Hmmm. Is there a way of
Hmmm. Is there a way of forcing them (the scrap dealers) to go legit?
La Diva
Head of the Class
Head of the Class Twoleft.
That "neatly tucked away" comment was indeed a statement of high ignorance. CRIME IS EVERYWHERE. Stay dey and feel you can't get touched while being "neatly tucked away". That person in another form of prison, sentenced instead to life instead of death. Brain wasn't in gear before they hit dey keyboard.
I am here in Kensington and
I am here in Kensington and Chelsea London neatly tucked away under the surveillance and protection of London Metropolitan Police service. Backed up by a political system that holds politicians accountable. I am not coming back to Trinidad to live, I have made up my mind sadly the death of this woman serves as a reminder to me of how stupid, mypoic, selfish, coward and hopeless Trinbagonians can be.
As her family mourns I mourn for her in my own way amongst the bustle of London's concrete jungle. Trinidadians do not march, do not protest, take it silently and with dignity. 'wha yuh go do I have tuh buy it', 'de government have tuh mind me til I dead', 'all I want is ah ten days and I good', 'it ain't have a crime problem yuh just have tuh know when tuh go out where tuh go and what tuh wear'. Crime is down!!! Its all in our heads.
Having a cup of tea are
Having a cup of tea are you?
Well check out this http://www.upmystreet.com/local/crime-in-kensington-and-chelsea.html
Read it well, the crime rate where you are is higher than the English National Average. The rate is per thousand.
Enjoy your cuppa!
Please read my comments
Please read my comments again and from them you can ascertain that I was being incredibly facetious with regard to surveillance and safety. I never said that it was safer here in London, I said that I FEEL SAFER! In addition to this I also pointed out that the laid back approach of the Trinbagonian people towards holding the elected officials accountable through modern political democracy allows for socio-economic dynamism in which our twin island state is in dire need of.
To you individual who's utilization of the tea reference; the generalization you have made is not far removed from the generalizations associated with varying forms of prejudice. Furthermore I do not drink tea I abhor the thing.
To the person who cites the unfortunate deceased Brazilian's circumstances (John Charles) in an attempt to sully my point you are a 'typical' Trinidadian we are always in possession of the weaknesses evident in other societies but quite clueless as to what it takes to advance ours; or furthermore in possession of facts but have no courage to persevere for change.
The murder rate and crime rate in general sadly enough will increase because the past is the present.This is the only evidence we can derive from both the present conduct of the Government and Opposition of the day and their attitudes toward crime. The murders could very well include my relatives or yours so we need to do something. Do you think I am here just walking on the Serpentine and going to the Proms? No I am here studying trying to equip myself with the relevant tools to help stem the tide of barbarism at home. Sorry if I mislead you but I was so consumed with emotion that I decided to respond in kind.
I am not in a position to articulate rebellion but the policies of the present government are RUBBISH. Policies that seek to 'combat crime' need to operate on 2 levels simultaneously: (1) short term plans which may cause a great deal of discomfort to the country as a whole (2) long term plans which seek to implement social institutions that don't alienate vulnerable youths in an asymmetric way where they feel they are outside the society. However any sound strategic thinking that may exist in Trinidad and Tobago is thwarted by the crumbling structures of archiac laws and political ideals which are not consistent with modernity (not modernity strictly speaking) but more so they (the policies) suffer the indignation of being held on to by myopic politicians who want to make Trinidad look like America,Toronto,Germany ,U.K. and Malaysia but sacrificing the people who at the end of the day are the component that makes the COUNTRY!!!
Dear Henry If you know
Dear Henry
If you know anything about Kensington and Chelsea, you would know it is the area of immense wealth and average house prices are also a lot 'higher' than the national average.
Average current values
SW7 --- SW --- National
1 Bedroom properties --- £ 416,200 --- £ 223,300 --- £132,400
2 Bedroom properties --- £ 766,200 --- £ 310,700 --- £143,600
3 Bedroom properties --- £1,258,800 --- £ 393,000 --- £156,300
4 Bedroom properties --- £1,754,200 --- £ 665,100 --- £259,900
5+ Bedroom properties --- £2,601,700 --- £1,094,300 --- £425,100
"There are currently many properties for sale in Kensington And Chelsea that are listed on Mouseprice.com. 2 of them are in Hyde Park Gate. Their asking prices range from £279,950 to £45,000,000 with an average asking price of £2,045,952."
http://www.mouseprice.com/area-guide/average-house-price/SW7/Kensington%...
So yes, that area may have a higher than national crime statistic BUT... look at it in context of the average house price (£2,045,952 which is about TT$ 26,597,376!!). 'To be fair', the average price may be skewered because of a house that was sold for £45,000,000 - that is, TT$ 585,000,000. (Suddenly I feel like I am playing Monopoly!) Looking at the average price for a one bedroom for the area compared to the national level, it is almost 4x! A local average price for a one bedroom is £416,200 (TT$5,410,600). What would a comparable one bedroom, in a comparable area of T&T cost? What is the crime statistics compared to the 'national average'?
Now, I believe it is a proven fact that would-be criminals go to the wealth areas to commit their deeds, rather than say being totally opportunistic ie. stealing from their neighbours who are reeling from the death of a young beloved female member of their community.
In addition, "Violence against the person" may be skewered by the fact that there is a football club in the area and post match fights/hooliganism is a problem. But, at least people have a choice. You can avoid the area if a match is on. In T&T, it seems there is no such option.
By the way, one of the personal safety tips I was coached in was that if I was driving and thought I was being followed, I should drive to the nearest police station and not to my destination/home. But, if the grounds of the police station are now becoming part of the crime scenes, something is really out of step.
La Diva
Doubtful, You cannot be
Doubtful, You cannot be blamed for feeling this way. Your facetious remark was recognized.
Doubtful yuh forget the main
Doubtful yuh forget the main one "it have crime all about"