TTPS launches at-risk community initiative in La Romaine

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A police community initiative that seeks to reduce crime, build confidence and trust in the police and raise a sense of community spirit was launched in La Romaine yesterday.

Driven by First Division officers, Acting Supt Ian Carthy said the initiative will be rolled out within at-risk communities across the San Fernando Police Division.

In an interview with reporters at the basketball court at Lucky Street, Carthy explained, “What we seek to do with this initiative is address community concerns, reduce the fear of crime and restore and maintain public confidence in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.”

Prior to yesterday’s launch, he said the police did a number of walkabouts and meetings with residents in La Romaine and other police districts within the San Fernando police district to let people know what the initiative is about and get feedback.

Explaining that Operation Impact is a multifaceted initiative, he said the police will be targeting violent crimes and gang members, increasing police presence in the community, hosting sporting events in which the officers will be participating, and even assisting the residents in organising community events such as a La Romaine Day, which the residents have been trying to get off the ground for several years.

“We are targeting all the at-risk areas, firstly in the San Fernando police division. These at-risk areas have a high incidence of juvenile delinquency and so on. We have a number of youths in the La Romaine area and in other areas that commit crime. They gravitate towards these gangs so we are trying to attack them. We are trying to get them on that right path in order to keep them away from the gang members, keep them away from a life of crime in essence,” he added.

Noting that there are several reasons why youths go astray, one of which is a breakdown in the family unit, Carthy added, “So what we are looking to do as police officers is to try our best, guided by our strategic plan, to bring positivity to the area to the people to San Fernando.”

Noting that this is an ongoing initiative, he said they were looking at Mon Repo next.

“We are going to Mon Repos, we going to Marabella, we going to Barrackpore, all the police station districts that fall under the San Fernando Police Division.”

Adding that the response from the residents, including youths, has been overwhelming, Carthy said residents, including youths on the block, were happy to see the police in their community.

La Romaine resident Cleavon Phill, a member of the Operation Impact committee, said the initiative is needed and welcomed.

“I am very proud of it because from my standpoint as a parent, as a Trinbagonian and a strong Tringonian, I want to see betterment and anything that is positive and anything that is well put together to help the upcoming youths and further better the country, I am always a part of it,” Phill said, admitting there had been an increase in criminal activity in the community.

Commending the police, Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh added, “This initiative of the TTPS to work with the community, especially the youths, will certainly engender greater importance and relevance of citizens in this area to be able to contribute and not liming on the block and engaging in illegal activities.”

Singh said once residents are not involved in any illegal activities, they do not need to fear the police.