A spate of break-ins at the Matelot Community College in which school equipment and other items were stolen resulted in students having to go outside of the community to do the practicums for their CSEC examinations.
Principal of the school Rachael Nancoo Charles, told a T&T Police Service (TTPS) town hall meeting at the St Helena Community Centre in Matelot on Tuesday night, that teachers had received death threats and a gun was found on the school compound two years ago but there had been no arrests in connection with any of those matters.
Nancoo-Charles and several residents at the meeting expressed concern about the levels of crime in the rural community.
Marva Sutherland complained that often when she made reports to the Toco or Matura Police Station, she was told there was no vehicle, only to see a police vehicle parked at the side of the road. That complaint was echoed by another villager, Maguss Solomon.
Some villagers also complained about the dilapidated condition of the Matelot Police Station.
Grande Riviere resident Len Peters called for the control of traffic coming into Matelot, especially at Shark River. He said thousands of people visited the area, which is a popular tourist spot, so there was a need for more police visibility in the area.
In response to the concerns raised, Snr Supt Ryan Khan, Commander of the Eastern Division, urged the villagers to work with the police.
“We must work as a team if we are to prevent crime, not only blame the police,” he said.
“If reports are not made, how can the police respond and even worse, if people who witness crime cannot come to the police, who should be blamed? No one else but yourself.”
He advised Nancoo-Charles to make reports of all unwanted activities at the school and to also encourage parents to report matters to the police.
Khan said investigations into a fire at the Toco Secondary School were ongoing.
“There might be people sitting right in this centre who know the culprit but prefer not to tell the police,” he said, repeating his appeal to the residents to work with the police.
“Please give us the information and we will bring justice for you,” he said.
Khan said he was aware that illegal activities were rampant in the area, but people were afraid or just refuse to say anything.
“Boats with illegal stuff coming in, guns etc, and nobody will be brave enough to protect their community and inform the police so we can make arrests and have them face a magistrate. We stay in our safety zone and continue to see illegal activities taking place without saying anything. In the long run, who suffers? It is you, your children and your community,” he said.
He added that there were police officers who were committed to protecting and serving people with pride and the residents should be grateful for their commitment and dedication.
Anicia Williams-Penny, the councillor for Matelot, thanked Khan and his officers for their service to the people of the community and announced that construction of a new Matelot Police Station would begin shortly.