The Couva-Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce is appalled that the Couva Police station has only one working vehicle. Chamber President Ramchand Rajbal Maraj said the chamber was informed that other vehicles assigned to the facility have broken down and are yet to be repaired.
Speaking with Guardian Media, Rajbal Maraj said this was a source of great worry to the business community especially those operating in California. Rajbal Maraj said that one police vehicle was being used to serve communities as far as Claxton Bay to the south, parts of Freeport to the north, Preysal to the east and Carli Bay and Orange Valley to the west. He said this represents a vast area that includes several hot-spots such as California, Carli Bay, and Mc Bean.
Rajbal Maraj said it was only on May 10 that Haniff Mohammed was gunned down inside a mosque at Junon Street, California. He said prior to this, two men were shot over the Carnival weekend along the Southern Main Road, California. The businessman said the chamber has requested a meeting with the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police and have called for joint police/army patrols in the community.
However, Rajbal Maraj said the chamber was yet to see more patrols and the Minister of National Security and the CoP have not met with the chamber.
Rajbal Maraj said unless steps are taken to boost patrols, he envisions more criminal elements migrating into the area to prey on businesses and residents. Rajbal Maraj said one religious body has been discussing the installation of CCTV cameras at places of worship in an attempt to deter crime in the area.