Kidnap victim Natalie Pollonais has written to Police Commissioner Gary Griffith telling him that the Police Service gave her back her “life,” and her “very heart and soul.” And she says despite what she experienced she will stop at the next roadblock once all the necessary parameters are met.
Griffith told a gathering at the Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce yesterday that Pollonais wrote to him by letter dated September 16 (on Sunday) and gave him permission to read the contents publicly.
In her letter, Pollonais noted that “normally words come easy to me,” but she said, “For the first time ever they elude me. How do you thank the men and women who have given you back not only your life but your very heart and soul?” she asked.
Pollonais was kidnapped on September 6 as she was driving to meet a friend after leaving the gym at the C3 Centre.
She was “extracted” from the hands of her kidnappers four days later on the evening of September 10.
Griffith said he made the “judgment call” to move in and “extract” Pollonais from her kidnappers based on “proper intelligence and operation,” and it worked.
He reiterated that the ransom was never paid. “It shows we are in the right direction. I know two officers were held and we will hold many more if they continue to do so,” he said.
In her letter to Griffith, Pollonais said she and her family will be “forever grateful” to the commissioner, the members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad “and all those in the Police Service who worked tirelessly for my safe return.’
She said that her faith in Trinidad and Tobago was restored on September 10.
“When I became aware of the intelligence co-ordination of resources, the tactical courage and dedication that was implemented by all in order for me to go home to my family. A simple statement for some, but for me it was everything.”
Her rescue, she said, “Clearly shows how unbreakable the bundle of sticks is. We have shown that when Trinidad unites here is nothing that we cannot overcome.”
Pollonais admitted to being “deeply saddened” that citizens still want to “stand apart, still want to separate the bundle. When will we stop being East Indian, Chinese, African, Syrian and white men, when will we just be Trini?” she asked.
Pollonais told the commissioner “like you I pray for that day because it is the day we will begin to heal.”
She extended a heartfelt thanks to the wives, and family members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Police Service, “who went without their husbands, wives and parents so that they could continuously search for me. I am humbled by their sacrifice,” she said.
Declaring that “God works in mysterious ways,” Pollonais told Griffith that she was “blessed for the knowledge, courage and intelligence that he gifted you, the Anti-Kidnapping squad and the Police Service with.”
She said, “All the prayers that touch your hearts, minds and bodies to guide and direct everyone in the right direction, Jesus I trust in you.”
Pollonais assured Griffith that she will stop at the next roadblock “after ensuring that all the necessary parameters have been met,” those include two or more marked police vehicles and several police officers in official uniform.”
Griffith said the contents of the letter “sums up what I ask all citizens to do.”
“It is time for us to circle the wagons if we work together with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and law abiding citizens of this country it will be an unbreakable combination,” he said.