radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Faced with an increase in armed robberies, burglaries and home invasions, several business owners from Debe are closing down their stores and movinh out of the area. Several Debe residents told Guardian Media they are not optimistic that the Caricom crime symposium currently taking place in Port-of-Spain will bear any fruit.
Erica Gandhi, proprietor of Eric’s Foodmart on Debe Trace, ws robbed twice in one week. Although she installed robust security systems the thieves still managed to steal thousands of dollars worth of goods from her establishment.
“How long are we going to live in fear?” Gandhi asked.
“We need to put systems in place in the Judiciary as well because even when they are arrested and they go to court, they getting bail. They are coming right back out to do the crime again,” she said.
Gandhi said the robbers operate like professionals, prising through roofs, balconies and burglar proofing. They dismantle security cameras and get in and out of Debe before the police leave the station, she added.
“It is heartbreaking because we gave the police footage one week now and still there have been no arrests,” she said.
A businessman who requested anonymity said the situation s so bad that several business owners have closed up their stores and migrated.
“It’s bad when they do that because when they go the rest of us feel unsafe,” he said.
Patiram and Kamla Samaroo, who were victims of a home invasion last week, said their lives are not been the same since the incident. They hid with their two grandchildren while five armed robbers ransacked their home at Orion Drive. Their two grandchildren returned to school yesterday but are still traumatized.
“I am also so terrified. With every sound, I hear I run back inside. I’m afraid,” Kamla said.
She said the Debe Police Post at Lalbeharry Trace is two minutes away but even though they called for help, the police did not immediately respond.
President of the Hare Krishna Mandir in Debe, Adiksva Das, said devotees are worried about escalating crime. There are security cameras installed at the temple but there are still concerns, particularly for the safety of elderly people at the mandir.
“In the past, we had incidents where people broke into the temple but luckily no one was injured. People here are very unsafe. Apart from the invasion at my neighbour’s home, we had multiple incidents along the main road with people being robbed. We see strangers coming into the neighbourhood and it is really unsafe,” Das said.
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said law-abiding citizens are suffering because of the escalating crime.
“Gangs are moving with impunity. On Wednesday there is a meeting of the JSC of which I am a part and I intend to raise the matter of home invasions and call on the Police CommisFaced with an increase in armed robberies, burglaries and home invasions, several business owners from Debe are closing down their stores and moving out of the area. Several Debe residents told Guardian Media they are not optimistic that the Caricom crime symposium currently taking place in Port-of-Spain will bear any fruit.
Erica Gandhi, proprietor of Eric’s Foodmart on Debe Trace, was robbed twice in one week. Although she installed robust security systems the thieves still managed to steal thousands of dollars worth of goods from her establishment.
“How long are we going to live in fear?” Gandhi asked.
“We need to put systems in place in the Judiciary as well because even when they are arrested and they go to court, they getting bail. They are coming right back out to do the crime again,” she said.
Gandhi said the robbers operate like professionals, prising through roofs, balconies and burglar proofing. They dismantle security cameras and get in and out of Debe before the police leave the station, she added.
“It is heartbreaking because we gave the police footage one week now and still there have been no arrests,” she said.
A businessman who requested anonymity said the situation s so bad that several business owners have closed up their stores and migrated.
“It’s bad when they do that because when they go the rest of us feel unsafe,” he said.
Patiram and Kamla Samaroo, who were victims of a home invasion last week, said their lives are not been the same since the incident. They hid with their two grandchildren while five armed robbers ransacked their home at Orion Drive. Their two grandchildren returned to school yesterday but are still traumatized.
“I am also so terrified. With every sound, I hear I run back inside. I’m afraid,” Kamla said.
She said the Debe Police Post at Lalbeharry Trace is two minutes away but even though they called for help, the police did not immediately respond.
President of the Hare Krishna Mandir in Debe, Adiksva Das, said devotees are worried about escalating crime. There are security cameras installed at the temple but there are still concerns, particularly for the safety of elderly people at the mandir.
“In the past, we had incidents where people broke into the temple but luckily no one was injured. People here are very unsafe. Apart from the invasion at my neighbour’s home, we had multiple incidents along the main road with people being robbed. We see strangers coming into the neighbourhood and it is really unsafe,” Das said.
Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said law-abiding citizens are suffering because of the escalating crime.
“Gangs are moving with impunity. On Wednesday there is a meeting of the JSC of which I am a part and I intend to raise the matter of home invasions and call on the Police Commissioner to return to that committee to explain what is being done about crime,” he said.
Moonilal said the issue of body cameras for the police has to be addressed. He wondered whether the body cams are functional, noting that it was meant to be a form of protection both for the police and the public. .
Moonilal said the issue of body cameras for the police has to be addressed. He wondered whether the body cams are functional, noting that it was meant to be a form of protection both for the police and the public.