Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:14 hours 44 min ago
Residents: Cleaver Heights a hell hole
Published: 27 Oct 2009
Frustrated residents, Maria Boneo, left,
and Caroline Ruiz, display several letters
sent to the Housing Development Corporation.
Photos: DILIP SINGH
The Cleaver Heights Housing Development, which has been shrouded in political controversy, is again back in the spotlight. Claims of rampant crime, lack of street lights and telephone land lines, shoddy infrastructure and poor water supply have left residents frustrated and irate. So much so, that they have vowed to block all the roads leading in and out of the community until measures are implemented. Describing the area as a virtual hell hole, most home-dwellers said they were prepared to pack their bags and flee. An angry Caroline Ruiz, who owns a townhouse at Phase One, claimed at least 25 homes were broken into this month. “In some instances, louvres were removed or the burglar-proofing cut and thieves stole whatever they could put their hands on,” Ruiz said. On other occasions she said, homes were cleaned out entirely.
Ruiz said in one instance, intruders held down a woman on her bed. Her screams, however, alerted neighbours who rushed to her rescue. The crime scourge, residents said, began when they initially moved in about two years ago. It has graduated from petty thefts to brazen daylight attacks. “We got the houses without any burglar-proofing, so thieves would take out one or two louvers and take whatever they want at first. “We got wooden door frames which were far from secure, so thieves would put their hands through the louvers and open the doors to gain entry,” Ruiz said. Ruiz, a single parent, said she was forced to shell out close to $40,000 to secure just the downstairs portion of her home. “We got absolutely nothing with the house, so it is very costly to secure it. “At one time, single women were being targeted, but now is a free-for-all,” Ruiz added.
Abandoned homes
The Cleaver Heights Housing Development comprises eight phases, each of which contains 100 homes. Some of the phases, residents said, were yet to be completed. And among those which were finished, keys have not been distributed. When The Guardian visited the area, several homes at Phase Two were vandalised. Toilet bowls were ripped out, louvres missing and doors stolen. Cigarette butts and human excrement littered some of the concrete floors. Taking matters into their hands, residents have formed a crisis management team, conducting patrols throughout the community. “I am supposed to be happy to be owning my home, but I am not, so it’s better I go back to renting,” Ruiz vented. Sharing her sentiments was Derrick Ali, whose home was burglarised in May. Ali said when he got up one morning he discovered a side door forced open and all the items from the spacesaver missing.
Unfulfilled promises
Maria Boneo, another resident from Phase One displayed a file containing copies of several letters sent to the various authorities, including the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). To date, she claimed, residents have been given unfulfilled promises, including the construction a perimeter wall. According to Boneo, pleas were also made to Member of Parliament for Lopinot/Bon Air West Neil Parsanlal. She said two Fridays ago, during the early hours of the morning, there was a power outage in the development. A car belonging to a member of the crisis team was stolen within minutes. Saying she was thinking of relocating, Boneo, a mother of a six-year-old girl, described life at Cleaver Heights as under siege.
Minister’s response
Contacted yesterday, Information Minister Neil Parsanlal assured that measures were being implemented to rectify the problems. He said he met with three residents at his constituency’s office on October 15, when concerns were aired. Parsanlal, however, expressed surprise by the protest action taken by residents last week. “I was very surprised that such a short space had lapsed and protest action was taking place, because we agreed on a certain course of action.” He emphasised, however, that contact has made with the relevant authorities to bring some level of comfort to residents.
Frustrated with HDC. The
Frustrated with HDC. The Housing Minister should also look into what is happening at Fidelis Heights in St Augustine where home owners are experiencing similar problems.Poor infrastructure, poorly designed houses, no landscaping, water and street light problems, rodents, you name it.
It is time for the
It is time for the opposition parties together with affected house owners/tenants to organise marches against an ineffective and incompetent government. As usual permits for the marches will be denied but that in itself is an indication of the people's frustration.
Rik Hansel
Sounds like these modern-day
Sounds like these modern-day "Plannings" are ghettos. Let's hear from the minister of planning/housing. Or will she say that was in Rowley's time and it has nothing to do with her or it's Emile Elias to blame?
These poor residents should be proud home owners and enjoying their new homes not suffering such trauma. Come on Parsanal and Dick Ford, sort out the problem and stop spinning excuses. Or are you spiders? If you all are incapable of serving the people, then step aside voluntarily and give somebody else a chance. Enough of your incompetence and spin.
This lady minister seems
This lady minister seems skilled in the art of passing the buck.
What really is her claim to fame during her tenure as minister of housing?
Typical of most Govt ministers I suppose.
http://www.dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
Her claim to fame is Rowley
Her claim to fame is Rowley did it and Hart innocent.
I'm sure these residents
I'm sure these residents won't have to look far for their property, just take a look at the houses that weren't broken into and presto. Woven into these communities are criminal elements who belong to the URP.....I say no more
...Crime is the BIGGEST
...Crime is the BIGGEST BUSINESS in TnT today...!...and the Government from the very top right down cashing in on it "in spades"...the people were sold a "bill of goods"...they got sold "cat in bag"...and the Ministers all spinning tales...and nancy stories to the people..."hold strain" we coming to help...?
..."over 25 homes broken into this month"...and "intruders held down a woman in her bed"...and one woman "forced to shell out more than $40,000 to secure just down stairs"..."single women were being targeted"...???
...and Parsanlal said yesterday "measures were being implemented to rectify the problems...and I am surprised that such a short space lapsed and protest action was taking place, because we agreed on a certain course of action"...?
...I wonder if Parsanlal or one of the Minister's were living there, how would they react...or if one of their family members were treated in this fashion, what would be their reactions...?
...this government and its respective ministers have been breeding criminals as if it is a big business...from 93 murders in 1999 to 546 in 2008 and over 425 this year to date...and all the Community Leaders (aka Gang Leaders)who shook hands with the Prime Minister at the Crowne Plaza accord, they all dead so far...!
...and to date they have gone through all the "plans A to Z" several times over ...and it just gets worse...so either they real duncey, or they must know something and not tellin'...and they like it that way...for a purpose...?
...and the crime continues unabated in every fashion and walk of life...and to put people in this situation, in their own homes without any help or assistance from the Government or its Ministers to secure themselves is a National Shame...!
...These are a clear signals of a "Failed State Syndrome"...and it will only get worse with the present regime and its cohorts...!
...it is a serious indictment on an inept,incompetent and failed Government...!
...sorry for these people...they were fooled again...and again...by this Government...it is really sad that people have to live in this condition in the "richest island" in this part of the world..."...the so called "Land of Milk and Honey"...???
...no mo' milk, no mo' honey and no money, honey...!...so like the man said... "WAY DE MONEY GONE..."???
...dogs and cats have live in better conditions in developed countries...!...real sad...!..."but we Trinis like it so..."
Goodluck...!
Trini.t.o.o
Its sad to here these
Its sad to here these stories of poor and unsafe living conditions in the so called new HDC Housing Areas. When people apply and get through with these houses etc. they expect a certain level and quality of infrastructure that may just need reinforcement not total installation or bugler proofing systems. It is very very bad that the HDC, MPs, etc take so long to respond. They are comfortable and secure while others suffer and even appear to be unsympathetic at times to complainants.I hope the authorities listen and assist the residents ASAP.These new HDC developments are apparently "ghettos" as mentioned to me on several occasions in areas e.g. Bon Air Gardens,Cleaver Heights Housing Development and more recently Oropune Gradens in Piarco are littered with small gangs "GAZA", "GULLIE", "BLOODS" etc, police visits these areas regularly to cull these small gangs menaces from developing, and get this also stated to me,at least 65% of the Oropune residents are service personnel Army,Police, Coast Guard, Prisons etc... and it is alleged that the prospective relocating persons from Laventille,and East Port of Spain are that to be placed in this area and maybe other new HDC Areas.That's 20-20 Vision for you..