In the wake of the sex­u­al as­saults re­port­ed in re­cent weeks, the Trinidad and To­ba­go Po­lice Ser­vice (TTPS) has is­sued an ad­vi­so­ry to the pop­u­la­tion on pro­tect­ing them­selves against sex­u­al preda­tors.

They ad­vise cit­i­zens to pay care­ful at­ten­tion to their sur­round­ings at all times and al­ways be on the alert.

The Vic­tim and Wit­ness Sup­port Unit of the TTPS is avail­able to pro­vide sup­port and coun­selling to vic­tims and wit­ness­es of crime and per­sons ex­pe­ri­enc­ing trau­ma as a re­sult of their ex­pe­ri­ences.

Per­son­nel of the Unit can be con­tact­ed at the fol­low­ing Po­lice Sta­tions:

Care­nage

Mor­vant

Arou­ca

Ch­agua­nas

San Fer­nan­do

Ad­di­tion­al­ly the Com­mu­ni­ty Po­lice Sec­re­tari­at con­ducts lec­tures on safe­ty and se­cu­ri­ty for res­i­dents of com­mu­ni­ties and schools across Trinidad and To­ba­go. These lec­tures are free of charge and per­sons can re­quest a lec­ture by con­tact­ing 622-2156.

The Com­mu­ni­ty Polic­ing Unit in each Di­vi­sion works close­ly with com­mu­ni­ty based or­gan­i­sa­tions, com­mu­ni­ty watch groups and com­mu­ni­ty Coun­cils.

The fol­low­ing in­for­ma­tion can al­so be help­ful.

When at home be guid­ed by the fol­low­ing safe­ty tips:

-Be sure to lock all doors, even if you leave the house for a brief mo­ment

-Nev­er open doors au­to­mat­i­cal­ly for any­one. In­sist that the caller iden­ti­fy him/her­self

-If a stranger asks to use your phone, do not per­mit them to en­ter. Of­fer to sum­mon emer­gency as­sis­tance or make the call for the per­son

-In­side and out­side lights give you good pro­tec­tion. Leave lights on at night, even when you are away. Change the di­rec­tion of in­side lights from time to time.

When walk­ing be guid­ed by the fol­low­ing safe­ty tips:

-When­ev­er pos­si­ble, avoid walk­ing alone at night

-Af­ter get­ting out of any ve­hi­cle, look around to see if you are be­ing fol­lowed

-If a sus­pi­cious per­son is be­hind or in front of you cross the street. If nec­es­sary, criss-cross from one side to an­oth­er, back and forth. Don't be afraid to run. One of a crim­i­nal's best as­sets is the abil­i­ty to sur­prise you: to at­tack you when you least ex­pect it. Should you con­tin­ue to be fol­lowed be pre­pared to scream and run.

-If a car ap­proach­es you and you are threat­ened, scream and run in the di­rec­tion op­po­site to the car that is fol­low­ing you. The dri­ver will have to turn around if he wish­es to con­tin­ue to fol­low you

-Dress for mo­bil­i­ty. Styl­ish clothes some­times re­strict your move­ments

-Nev­er hitch­hike or ac­cept a ride from a stranger

When dri­ving be guid­ed by the fol­low­ing:

-As much as pos­si­ble, trav­el on well lit, more pop­u­lat­ed streets and thor­ough­fares. Keep car win­dows closed and car doors locked