Security agencies across Trinidad and Tobago, including the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS), were placed on high alert yesterday, after a series of 11 bomb threats targeted several courts, a shopping plaza and a government ministry.
The wave of threats, received between 1 pm and 1.40 pm, prompted an immediate response from law enforcement and emergency personnel, who were deployed to locations stretching from Sangre Grande to Point Fortin, as well as Tobago.
The alleged threats targeted the Valpark Shopping Plaza in Valsayn, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government at Kent House in Maraval, the Judicial Building in Bacolet, Tobago; and magistrates’ courts in Sangre Grande, Arima, Chaguanas, Couva, Princes Town, San Fernando, Siparia and Point Fortin.
The TTFS yesterday confirmed that all the affected locations were evacuated and subjected to strict security checks before being cleared for re-entry.
A senior TTFS official said the flurry of calls arriving within such a short period appeared coordinated.
“It was somebody up to mischief,” the official said. However, the official added that a more pressing concern was the absence of trained bomb technicians within the Fire Service.
In a startling revelation, the official disclosed that the TTFS currently has no active bomb technicians.
Claiming that some officers’ certifications had expired while others had retired, the official said, “The TTFS has no bomb techs right now.”
As a result, the Fire Service’s role at incidents such as yesterday’s is limited to ensuring the public is safe within the muster points and in other areas, while waiting on the TTPS bomb techs to search the properties to ensure they are safe and give the clearance to return.
“All we do on arrival is make sure persons are accounted for and are at assembly locations,” the official explained.
“We cordon off the area to prevent any incidents and wait for the police bomb techs to show up.”
Asked why fire officers were not receiving training in this specialised area, the official responded: “There was no money.”
According to the official, the last time fire officers received bomb technician training was in 2006, despite the need for annual refresher programmes.
Despite these challenges, the official assured that the TTFS was able to respond effectively to all reports yesterday because sufficient vehicles and personnel were available.
Efforts to contact Chief Fire Officer Andy Hutchinson for a comment on the claims were unsuccessful yesterday, as calls to his cellphone went unanswered.
The threat also disrupted operations at the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government’s Kent House offices in Maraval, forcing an early closure.
In a statement on the issue, the TTPS said after receiving seven reports through different mediums, it immediately activated the relevant security protocols, heightened its security posture and deployed officers to conduct the necessary checks.
However, the TTPS said no explosive devices were found at any of the locations.
It said the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government received a bomb threat shortly after midday at its Kent House, Maraval, location. The building was evacuated, with staff and tenants directed to leave in an orderly manner.
The Police Service said investigations are ongoing and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and comply with the instructions of law enforcement officers.
BOMB THREAT LOCATIONS
• Arima Magistrate’s Court
• Chaguanas Magistrate’s Court
• Couva Magistrate’s Court
• Point Fortin Magistrate’s Court
• Princes Town Magistrate’s Court
• San Fernando Magistrate’s Court
• Sangre Grande Magistrate’s Court
• Siparia Magistrate’s Court
• Valpark Shopping Plaza
• Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
• Judicial Building, Bacolet, Tobago
