Senior Reporter
Five days after an arson attack razed the Telecommunications Service of Trinidad and Tobago’s (TSTT) scrap yard in Laventille, residents of Beetham Gardens have accused the police and soldiers of “tormenting” them over the last several days.
Unwilling to be named when Guardian Media visited the community yesterday, several young men said, “Soldiers coming on dey own now… mask up and without the police.
“They rushing we when they see we… dey cyar be doing dat. A man wake up and come out he house yesterday morning (Wednesday) and stand up dey doing nutting… jus so they take him and gone. He ain’t do nutting!”
The men reported that residents of Phase Five, Beetham Gardens, were the ones being singled out following the October 24 incident, which reportedly caused some $20 million in damage to cables and other stored equipment.
Keeping watch for the police patrols, which they said had increased since the fire, the men continued to question if what the police and soldiers were doing was allowed under the law.
One man said the soldiers were driving through the area playing “gun-man music,” while another insisted, “Dey want to run we down and gun we down.”
Phase Five resembled a ghost town yesterday, with gates padlocked and doors and windows tightly shut.
Two elderly men sheltering from the rain reported the opposite to what the younger residents claimed, however, as one said, “Nah… de area cool now man.”
His friend and neighbour said he was glad to see the increased patrols, adding that the only issue had been losing electricity for more than 24 hours following the fire, as his family had lost quite a bit in food items.
Other than that, he agreed, “Things good.”
Meanwhile, over at the TSTT compound at Eastern Main Road, Laventille, bmobile technicians were hard at work installing CCTV cameras throughout the scrap yard.
Responding to complaints by the residents, however, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Suzette Martin, said the T&T Police Service (TTPS) remained “resolute in its responsibility to safeguard lives, maintain public order and protect critical national infrastructure.”
“Our operational response to the suspected arson at the TSTT compound is intelligence-led, targeted and proportionate to the seriousness of the incident,” Martin assured.
She dismissed claims by residents that the authorities were harassing them.
“It is not directed against the Beetham community, but against criminal activity that threatens public safety,” Martin said.
Acknowledging that there may be concerns regarding the increased police presence and allegations of excessive force, she said, “I expect the highest standards of professionalism, restraint and respect for citizens’ rights.”
She added, “Any allegations of misconduct will be addressed through the appropriate mechanisms.”
The tough-talking Martin stressed, “I wish to make it clear that public safety is non-negotiable. Acts of violence, arson and conduct that endangers residents, emergency responders or essential services cannot be tolerated.”
She called on residents and community leaders to support lawful policing efforts, share credible information and reject actions that threaten the safety and stability of their community.
“Our commitment is clear: decisive action against criminality, accountability in policing and the protection of every law-abiding citizen,” she said.
“We will continue to exercise our operational responsibilities with firmness, fairness and respect, recognising that sustainable public safety requires both effective law enforcement and the confidence of the communities we serve.”
Police sources yesterday confirmed that the remaining suspects in connection with the fire are expected to be released as investigators do not have sufficient evidence to charge them.
This comes as six people had been questioned in connection with the incident, with some released while others remained in police custody as investigations continued.
Meanwhile, efforts to contact Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle on the residents’ complaints were unsuccessful up to press time.
