For the past two years, Carlsen Field farmers have been fearful of the darkness because each night attracts rustlers who slaughter their livestock, steal their crops and trample their fields. It is not uncommon for the rustlers to chop off the legs of the animals and leave them to die a slow death.
But many farmers breathed a sigh of relief on Monday when National Security Minister Jack Warner officially launched an Agricultural Field Ranger Squad to guard the farmers' livestock. The guards who are precepted will have vehicles to patrol, as well as respond to a hotline recording theft. Ganey Ramnanan, who sold 25 heads of cattle because of the rustlers, said the rangers were a good initiative but may be insufficient to patrol the 500 acres which stretches from Carlsen Field to Longdenville.
Ramnanan said: "The last time they steal all my chickens...They stuffed them alive in a bag and carried them away." Her son Latchman Ramnanan said he locks his herd behind burglar-proof bars with the hope of saving them from the rustlers. "This has not worked so we are happy that the rangers are hired," Ramnanan said. He explained that most farmers bring in their herds before nightfall because any animal left in the fields will certainly fall into the hands of the thieves.
Unis Mohammed who also sold out his herd said the rangers must be deployed in every agricultural area in T&T. However, while addressing the farmers at Carlsen Field Community Centre on Monday, Warner said it was alarming that a nation of 1.3 million, which had 13,000 law enforcement officers, still had such a high crime rate. He said apart from that, there were police in all agencies, including WASA, T&TEC, Petrotrin and TSTT.
Saying it was impossible to put police everywhere, Warner said citizens must develop an attitude of caring for one another. "People must know what is not yours is not yours, so don't take it! Because many people get away with theft they feel stealing is their right," Warner said. He added that more precepted rangers will be hired and they will be given the opportunity to serve as Special Reserve police officers.
Meanwhile, MP for Caroni Central Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh said street lights and cameras will be installed in Carlsen Field soon. Food Production Minister Devant Maharaj said that crime has proven to be a disincentive to investment. He added that praedial larceny was one of the most discouraging aspect of agriculture which will be addressed.
President of the Sheep and Goat Farmers Association Shiraz Khan said the squad which comprised of 18 rangers was disbanded in 2010, following which excessive theft occurred. He said the squad patrols, cameras and street lights will go a long way in solving praedial larceny.