Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
Choosing only to leave their homes to go to work and get necessities before retreating behind closed doors, residents of Freeman Road, St Augustine, on Friday expressed relief at being able to once again interact with each other, albeit under the watchful eyes of the police.
Enjoying the couple hours of “freedom” as they attended a free health fair at the Freeman Road Community Centre from 9 am to 2 pm, several people including police officers spoke of the change they want for the area which shot into the spotlight earlier this year following a spate of killings.
Between January 24 and May 20, seven people who lived at Train Line, off Warner Street, St Augustine, were killed in gang-style executions.
Enjoying the ability to move about as they once did, residents yesterday thanked the police for their increased presence in the area which they believed had helped to deter further criminal activity.
Aneil Rajah was among the 100- plus residents who turned up to avail himself of the Hand in Hand Initiative, which offered a range of clinical services, medical consultations, and free testing.
He described the event as excellent and expressed surprise that the police had been involved in hosting the clinic as he said they were mainly known to be crime fighters.
“Crime has risen exponentially in the last couple of months in St Augustine,” Rajah said, adding, “My house is like a jail.”
And even with high walls, security cameras and guard dogs to provide additional safety and comfort, he said home invasions were another situation entirely, they had to worry about.
He said, “I feel intimidated, but I have tried to secure myself and my family as best as I could.”
Having been the victim of crime before, Rajah said he had been left mentally scarred, but he praised the softer approach to policing adopted by officers in the community in the recent past. He said, “I like what I seeking here though.”
Confirming the T&T Police Service (TTPS) had indeed shifted gears in terms of how they were addressing the community’s trauma, WPC Reanne Nicholas-Diaz of the St Joseph Police Station said she was deeply moved to help following the murder of Daniel Riley.
Approached by a priest and told the police could achieve greater success if they employed a soft approach in its dealings with residents, she said this had yielded success, as Friday was phase three of a five-part plan to restore peace and stability in the area.
The first phase included a walkabout in the community during which the officers appealed for cooperation from residents; whilst the second featured a hamper drive.
Phase three was yesterday’s free health fair; and phase four will include a thank-you ceremony for all sponsors who have partnered to assist.
Phase five will include a clean-up of the area and will see infrastructural repairs being undertaken to bridges and drains.
Meanwhile, the residents have continued to plead with the officers to establish a Police Youth Club in the area which they are hoping will get many of the youngsters off the streets.
Nicholas-Diaz assured, “We don’t want to give up on the people in that area. We want the people in Freeman Road to know the police are there to assist them, not only to come and lock up people or arrest persons.”
Also present Friday was the grandmother of murdered teenager Darhan Ramnauth, who applauded the organisers as she said, “This is a very good thing for people in the village and I hope they keep it up.”
Admitting she felt safe whenever the police were around, the woman, who declined to provide her name, admitted her anxiety returns as soon as they leave.
Still grieving for her grandson, she recalled sadly, “St Augustine used to be a joyful, peaceful place but not again.”
“I will love change,” she said, revealing that the village is now somewhat of a ghost town as no one wants to come there anymore.
