Former Arima mayor Ghassan Youseph yesterday admitted to initially trying to fight off two bandits who robbed him on Christmas Eve.He said he put up a fight because he was frustrated at being a victim of robberies over the years, even when he was mayor in 2011."I am 60 years old and I have been through many incidents where I have been violated. How much can a person take?" Youseph asked.
However, he said, it was his son's expression which eventually made him relent and give in to his attackers.Youseph's latest attack occurred at about 7.35 pm. He said two good-looking young men walked up to him and his 36-year-old son while they were standing in his yard.
"They came up to me and although they were armed I attempted to fight them off, but at the same time I looked at my son and I saw his arms outstretched and an expression that gave me the courage to give up the fight and let them go with everything. Money and gifts they took from us."He admitted, however, that it was a foolish decision to attempt to fight with his robbers, and urged victims of future crimes to comply.
"Please comply if you should ever be in a situation where people would come and rob you. Life is more important than material things," he said."Give up, especially if they are armed with guns or knives. Live to fight another day. "I thank God for everything, and my son and I are ok."
Youseph admitted that it had passed through his mind to pack up and leave T&T because of the escalating crime rate and also because of being the frequent target of criminals. But, he said, he had decided against it because T&T was his home.Contacted yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he was aware of the incident. However, he said, he did not know Youseph had been a target over the years.
"I am not aware that he is," Williams said."I know he was robbed two days ago and in 2011 he was robbed of his gold chain while attending Carnival celebrations but I do not know anything more on it."
Make-work programmes
Youseph said whilst he was a supporter of the present People's Partnership Government, the Cepep and URP programmes needed to be reassessed. He explained that programmes like these give a low pay rate of $69 a day to people and may cause some of them to still resort to crime and criminal activities."I think everyone in charge and who care knows what is the main problem of the crime situation in the country and what causing it," he said.
"People do not want to work, especially young people. Refocus of training in schools needs to be done. People do not want to work in the stores or fast-food outlets no more. Teach them how to fish not just to give fish to them. Provide training for these idle hands."Youseph also wished everyone compliments of the season and urged all to be aware of their surroundings whether it was late at night or early in the day.