Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alicia Henry is promising San Fernando shoppers and business owners a safe Christmas season.
Henry and a contingent of officers from the Southern Division and Municipal Police walked along High Street yesterday, meeting and speaking with business owners and shoppers while distributing pamphlets with crime safety tips. Accompanying the officers were San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris and president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, Kiran Singh.
Henry, who is in charge of the South, Central and South Western Divisions, said their Christmas crime plan was officially launched yesterday and she promised an increased presence of officers on the streets and joint police and army patrols.
“All stakeholders are on board and it is our intention to work together with the business community and customers to ensure that this is a safe area and space for all stakeholders concerned. We also would like the stakeholders to internalise the safety tips.
“We advise people that if they see something, say something to us,” she said.
“We are committed to ensuring that the city of San Fernando and environs are safe spaces for all to operate within this yuletide season.”
Mayor Parris said the San Fernando City Corporation is expecting a safe Christmas into Carnival season.
“I just came into office in September and we have been working very closely with the business community and the police and things are going to be a little bit different in the city,” he said.
Singh said he was pleased that there would be joint police and army patrols.
“We have a relatively low crime rate, and we would like that to continue,” he said.
“After discussions with the ACP, we were told that the patrols will not only be seasonal but even after the busy shopping season has ended, as we intend to have promotional offers in downtown San Fernando for the back-to-school shoppers and other events in the future months. These various periods of shopping activities will require the increased presence of the police service and army assistance.”
Singh said he was told there would be undercover officers on the streets.
“So those who think they can take advantage of an area where they do not think the police is present, be careful because the police will be there looking out for you bandits,” he said.