Senior police officers say they will be closely monitoring known offenders and suspected gangsters for Carnival.
Officers also say weaknesses in their strategies for last year’s Carnival celebrations have been revisited, and they are prepared to redouble their efforts in clamping down on crime along the popular Ariapita Avenue.
Last year, two people were gunned down outside a bar on Ariapita Avenue on Carnival Saturday night. A British tourist was also shot in his foot during the attack.
In October last year, popular DJ Kaveer Nandram was also gunned down while buying food at the ‘Off D Avenue’ food strip on Carlos Street, off Ariapita Avenue.
Responding to questions at a police media briefing in Port-of-Spain yesterday, alternate Gold Commander and ACP North West Winston Maharaj said the double murder was an issue raised during their post-mortem analysis of Carnival 2023.
He noted that the murders were a main concern and steps were being taken to introduce more robust policing.
“There is, in fact, a comprehensive, detailed plan to police the Avenue as a specific area of interest. Yes, there will be presence and visibility but there will be additional operations, specific operations that will take place on that Ariapita Avenue and its environs to mitigate against any potential threats or criminal activities taking place,” Maharaj said.
“Certainly, we are paying attention, we are cognisant of what the Avenue represents and we are responding and the response is commensurate with that level of activity there.”
On January 7, worker Akeil Archer was gunned down shortly after dropping off material used to build vending booths around the Queen’s Park Savannah. Investigators believe Archer may have been targeted by the gunmen because he lives in Laventille.
Asked if the police had plans to prevent gang violence during the festivities, Maharaj said officers of the Gang Intelligence Unit and other departments will be working to closely monitor the movements of gangsters during the season.
“Without wanting to say too much, we’re having our eyes on known offenders, priority offenders and the movement of certain persons and what not and alerting the law enforcement on the ground, making them aware of what is happening, who is on the move and so on.
“So yes, we are looking at it and there are plans in place to deal with that.”
Responding to recent concerns raised by maxi taxi drivers over an upsurge in criminal attacks at City Gate, South Quay, Maharaj said officers of the Transit Police were prepared to treat with such attacks but noted the increase in activity may be due to increased pressure on criminals in other parts of the city, causing them to migrate to City Gate.
Head of the Municipal Police, ACP Surendra Sagramsingh, said his officers were also on standby and prepared to offer assistance to regular police officers.