Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Despite reassurances from senior police officers that people seeking to leave Maloney during curfew hours for legitimate reasons would be allowed to do so, several residents voiced their concerns and expressed dissatisfaction during a T&T Police Service community sensitisation meeting last night.
The meeting, held at the Maloney Indoor Sporting Facility, began just after 7 pm and was intended to raise awareness of the introduction of the Special Operation Act within the community and how residents could apply for permits to leave the designated closed area.
But before the meeting began, issues with the rollout of the SOA were visible, as heavy traffic along the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway was observed from as far west as El Socorro, San Juan.
During the meeting, complaints were also raised, with one resident, Abbigale Noel, blaming the congestion on residents trying to return to the neighbourhood before the curfew came into effect at 9 pm.
“I feel as though the curfew began a little earlier because of the time. It’s a bit frustrating when trying to get into the community, mind you, it’s adding more hours... or less hours to prepare for the next day,” Noel told the officers hosting the meeting.
“Also, the permit... how is that permit really being issued? It needs to be clear because we have a lot of elderly in the community.”
Another resident, who did not give her name as she addressed officers, also sought clarity on how the permits would be issued, noting she was employed with a fast food franchise and her roster was adjusted to prevent her from working on the night shift, which she said was more profitable for her.
However, in response, head of the Northern Division North, Snr Supt Avalon Frank, tried to assure residents the police would work with them to ensure the curfew did not significantly impact law-abiding residents.
“Once we get how your shift operates, we will put it on the permit that this person is allowed to enter and leave between this time and this time. So, we are not preventing anybody from going to work,” Frank said.
“The permit will not expire until the operation is over. You just have to come and let us know what is your area of concern, so I don’t know why people are making this hulaballoo that I can’t go here or go there.”
Resident Hugh Queeley told officers that he needed to leave the neighbourhood three times a week to attend a clinic and was granted a permit on the spot by acting ASP Susan Wilkinson, who reviewed his documents.
Queeley, according to Snr Supt Frank, was the first person to be issued a permit to leave the closed area since the strategy was implemented.
But while Queeley was attended to, the questions and criticism continued, as another resident also questioned the basis of a closed area being declared in Maloney, specifically contending that other areas were more violent by comparison in recent times
“I want to know what are the grounds for a lockdown in Maloney after a shooting with no murders when there were two murders in Couva... there ain’t lockdown.”
In his response, acting Supt of the Northern Division, Steve McKenzie, said the TTPS would follow the law and maintain order.
However, residents again voiced their dissatisfaction with his response.
Shouts and criticism from the crowd continued throughout the meeting, before Frank paused in between his response, urging the residents to temper themselves and allow the officers to respond to questions.
“Allow the officers to answer if you want to hear the answer to the questions.”
The tone of the meeting continued even as it ended by 8.35 pm, as attendees formed a line to speak with officers and apply for their permits and return to their respective homes before the curfew took effect.
When leaving the venue, several police vehicles were seen conducting patrols in convoy, while others were observed parked with metal barricades near to the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, as officers on foot requested identification from people entering the neighbourhood.
