Police and Pastors to work together to fight crime in Arima

Religious leaders in the Arima Borough have pledged their support to the Police Service, as both parties work to bring down crime levels in the Borough.

Religious leaders in the Arima Borough have pledged their support to the Police Service, as both parties work to bring down crime levels in the Borough.

According to a statement issued by the Fellowship of Arima Ministers (FAM), the partnership was cemented at a meeting on Monday 22 March 2021, between the Pastors of Arima and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), at Grace Communion Church, Arima.

More than 35 Pastors from Arima and environs met with Superintendent Mervyn Edwards of the TTPS’ Northern Division Area East, Inspector in Charge of Crime (Area East), Inspector Darryl Ward, and Sergeant Lisa Wilson-Murphy of the Arima Police Station, to discuss the crime situation in the Borough.

Superintendent Edwards acknowledged that Arima has one of the highest crime rates in the country, and stated that TTPS welcomes church partnership, especially in youth intervention programs.

Speaking on behalf of the FAM Executive, Interim Chairman Pastor Rian Williams said Arima Pastors can work with the police in many capacities, including providing mediation services in community and family conflicts; counselling services; compassionate ministries; prayer support; as well as hosting parenting workshops and providing spiritual and emotional support to police officers.

Pastors were given opportunity during the meeting to share their concerns.

Ancil Bain of New Beginning Ministries in Cumuto called for the revitalization of the Police Youth Club in communities.

Reverend Kwame Clarke of Bethel World Outreach Ministries suggested churches can work with the Youth Clubs in Arima, in terms of joint programs and providing meeting spaces.

Former Member of Parliament for Arima, Bishop Roger Samuel, recommended an improvement in the manner in which police officers engage with members of the public.

Bishop Joel Ali of Global Revival Ministries located on Bye-Pass Road, Arima, said his church has had at least two major break-ins which are yet to be solved.

Ali said his church has a pending request for the installation of a traffic light near their location to reduce the number of vehicular accidents taking place there.

Superintendent Edwards said the Police Service would be happy to partner with FAM to bring down crime in the Arima Borough, and appreciated the support being offered by the organisation.  

The meeting concluded with the Pastors praying for the protection and welfare of police officers.