Senior Report
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
The handful of residents who turned out for a town hall meeting at the Belmont Community Centre on Wednesday night have been promised meaningful follow-ups to their concerns by senior police officials.
The assurances were given to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) North West, Neil Brandon John and ASP, Area East, Mulchan Nanan, who urged residents of Belmont, Cascade and St Ann’s to use their voices to effect the change they want to see.
The residents had raised concerns about the criminal elements in their communities, the absence of a police youth club in the Belmont area, as well as indiscriminate parking and noise pollution in St Ann’s and Cascade. The police officers said while it is taking time to deal with those issues, change is coming.
A female resident of Belle Eau Road, Belmont was concerned about safety and the lack of social programmes for unemployed and idle youths in the area. John told her the Cadet Corp of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) had expanded its scope to include more young people ages of 13 to 26.
John said he was disappointed at the low turn-out of residents at the meeting.
“When you see the hall empty, it is not that Belmont is safe, but I know there is a fear among people to come and have a conversation with us because you may be seen in a particular light, and the end result may not be as pleasing as you would want,” he said
He provided the residents with two phone numbers where he could be reached anytime – 394-5288 and 491-4147 – and told them the Belmont community had been relatively “quiet” because of concerted efforts by the police to stamp out criminal activities as soon as they start.
On the issues of noise pollution and indiscriminate parking in St Ann’s and Cascade, John advised the affected residents to join forces and use their voices to demand the changes they want to see. He said this could lead to discussions with the relevant ministries, as there is strength in numbers which cannot be ignored.
A Cascade resident complained that a gym was being operated feet from her bedroom window. She said she had lived in the area for more than 30 years and enjoyed the tranquillity and peace until recently when the open-air exercise facility was opened.
The woman said strangers are now tramping through the mountain trails making noise at all hours of the night and subjecting long-time residents to discomfort and disruption.
A resident of St Ann’s spoke about indiscriminate parking caused by the above-average number of hotels in the area, with parties and gatherings that go on into the wee hours.
The resident was worried that emergency vehicles would not be able to get in and out of the area when required. Both women complained about intimidatory tactics being used against residents who spoke about the situation.
John and Nanan promised to look into the matter
Former Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee-Sing spoke about gunshots echoing on a nightly basis in the hills behind his home. He speculated that there might be a gun range operating as there were never any reports that anyone had died the next day
Lee Sing urged the authorities to check it out as “somebody always testing weapons in the back.”
He also advised the lawmen to examine the legislative amendments that were enacted whilst he was in office as there were “teeth” they could use to address some of the issues raised.