Three days after the police launched their anti-crime initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of theft and pickpocketing in the run-up to Christmas, ASP Joanne Archie is issuing another call for the public to partner with them to ensure success. Speaking at the police weekly media briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain yesterday, Archie stressed that the police could not do it alone and need the public's assistance to make it work.
She urged members of the public to take proactive steps to protect their personal and property safety. Archie said, "With the new initiative, the public, including business owners, residents and shoppers, can expect round-the-clock patrols and a professional response to all reports. They can rest assured the police are there and will respond to their reports within a reasonable time."
Promising that the Safe City Initiative will be introduced into the nine policing divisions, Archie said this will provide "a safer environment to shop, live and conduct business."
Asked to respond to statements by president of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (Doma) Gregory Aboud that businesses were being targeted during the night and that losses are now being counted in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, Archie said, "What I can say is that with the launch of the anti-crime initiative in the Port-of-Spain Division, that includes around-the-clock foot and mobile patrols, including officers on horseback, business owners can look forward to the fact that patrols will be done around the clock and that officers will be out in full force during the day and night "
She said business owners should do background checks on all potential employees and vary their patterns of depositing cash so as to reduce the likelihood of robbery. The anti-crime initiative includes higher police visibility within the city and environs, as well as the strict enforcement of all traffic laws with regard to indiscriminate parking.
"There will be zero tolerance in this area and wreckers will be out in full force. Vehicles in contravention will be towed," Archie warned, asking drivers to use car parks which are more economical than payment for a parking violation.