Revellers in Tobago this weekend for the inaugural Carnival festivities are being warned that the island’s police division has been bolstered by their Trinidadian counterparts.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Senior Superintendent of the Tobago Division, Junior Benjamin, said officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Mounted and Canine Branch, Riverine and Air Support Unit and administrative officers had been sent from Trinidad to help with the higher than usual numbers of people expected on the island.
In fact, IATF head, Senior Superintendent Oswin Subero, said his officers have been in Tobago for the last two weeks conducting surveillance, particularly at the Scarborough Port.
“On the port, we have made three arrests for outstanding warrants and with the exercises with the Tobago Division, we have made over 15 arrests,” Subero revealed.
Subero promised that his officers will be patrolling from 2 am today and asked that people comply with them over the course of the weekend.
“This will be for J’Ouvert, Night Mas and Parade of the Bands, so we are just asking that people be a bit patient and understand that searches may take place.”
Benjamin added that the aim is to target “priority offenders.”
“You are going to see increased exercises on the port, both the air and the sea, the aim is we would be looking at all those involved in firearms, robberies, drugs, larceny, we are targeting these persons because safety and security must be a priority in Tobago.”
And while Benjamin, who is also the Silver Commander for the festivities, promised a “safe, clean, green and serene” environment for participants and visitors, he admitted that certain types of crime have increased on the island.
“We recognise that there is an increase in murders where at this time, we have about nine, of which five were solved and this gives us a detection rate of at least 55 per cent. One out of every two murders are solved, we look at the type of murders and it is important to appreciate that at least four of them were based on altercations, two from domestic violence, another two from robberies and on from gangs,” he said.
Benjamin said this shows that “persons are not going about just shooting persons.”
He said there has also been an increase in robberies.
“We have looked at that again and we recognise that the majority of the robberies are taking place in the streets and open spaces. We can say that most of our robberies are taking place in the night time, so we want to encourage persons to be very mindful when entering vehicles in these late hours and if doing so, make sure someone is able to make out the vehicle number and look at the persons that will be in these vehicles.”
The Silver Commander said there has also been an increase in general larceny.
“We are asking persons not to leave things outside, please secure your things.”
He also warned that if any wrongdoer is apprehended, they will have to wait until October 31 before they can appear before the court.
The TTPS also urged people to keep a close eye on their children. However, if children become lost during the festivities there will be a Lost and Found post at the Gardenside Street carpark in Scarborough.
Supt Benjamin said he wants the partying population not to see the extra numbers added to their ranks as a show of force but rather one of unity.
