Tobago Correspondent
A report will be presented to National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds about the crime situation in Tobago and what is needed to address it.
It will follow an effort by the Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland and Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher, over the next two days, to boost the confidence of Tobago officers, while mending relationships within communities across the island.At the end of the tour of Tobago, a “rigorous” crime plan will be finalised and implemented.
Yesterday, Scotland kept his promise to visit the island to get a first-hand understanding of the unprecedented crime situation occurring.
He was joined by Harewood Christopher and other officials, as they visited all police stations in Tobago and met with officers.
The minister and CoP also met with residents and relatives of people who lost their lives to gun violence in Tobago.
For Scotland and Harewood-Christopher, it was an opportunity to hear firsthand how crime has shattered lives, particularly for relatives of Tobago’s quadruple murder victims in Black Rock.
The team stopped at the former home of Anslem Douglas, who was shot dead with three other men in July.
Douglas, Samuel Mc Caine, Gregory Hamlet and Jamoki Duncan were killed after gunmen wearing camouflage uniforms stormed Douglas’ home around midnight. The men were shot about their bodies. Douglas, Gregory and Mc Caine were pronounced dead on the scene.
Duncan died at the Scarborough General Hospital hours later while receiving emergency medical care. Their deaths pushed the island’s murder toll to 16 at that time.
Scotland was heard offering additional support to the grieving relatives.
With 19 murders on the island currently, Scotland and the Harewood-Christopher said they are ready to win the war on crime.
“Tobago is just beautiful. Why would we allow this to be tainted like this. We will not have it,” Scotland said, as he spoke at the centre of a group of men in Plymouth.
But while some residents were not too optimistic, the team repeatedly gave them reassurances.
Scotland spoke to a group of men on the corner of Chatham Street—a stone’s throw away from where Anthony “Seeba” Maynard, 42, of Plymouth, was shot dead on May 16.
One street away, on May 9, Nekisha Sandy was murdered when gunmen ambushed her near her Plymouth home, while she was on the way to work.
The men said they were tired of feeling uncomfortable in their home village.
Scotland assured, “You will have more patrols more police presence but police can’t do it alone.”
During a tour in Black Rock, Scotland told villagers, “We want them (criminals) to know that we have a presence here and we insist that this must stop. You all need to be our eyes and ears on the ground.”
For other Tobagonians, it was a chance to share their stories, their worries, and their hopes directly with those who could make a difference.
From businesses to beaches, homes and drug blocks Scotland and the Commissioner asked for citizens’ help in the war against criminals.
Speaking to the media after the tour, Harewood-Christopher said, “It’s very encouraging we intend on building that public trust and confidence... what we got today is encouraging. The communities have not given up on the police. We are here and we intend to take back Tobago. It is time to take Tobago and the county as a whole back. We are doing this community by community.”
Scotland will present a report to National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds tomorrow.
From there, a meeting with Chief Secretary Farley Augustine will take place.
As soon as the report is completed, it will be acted on.
“The people were very happy to see the Commissioner and I on the ground and I am very pleased and very motivated to continue this. The response was overwhelming. Not one negative comment,” Scotland said.
“I want to tell Tobago that we are here and we will do everything in our power to have the situation arrested. They will see the police on the ground to keep our island safe.”