Mount St Benedict in St Augustine is usually a place where people from all over the country visit to pray, relax or find peace and solace.
However, given a recent spate of robberies at the site and shootings and murders in the surrounding community, the numbers of visitors are said to be decreasing.
During a visit to the monastery yesterday, there were a handful of visitors who expressed concern over the recent robbery which took place in the car park on Tuesday.
During that incident, a young woman was robbed of her cellphone and Honda City vehicle. On Thursday, meanwhile, a PH Driver was killed while at the taxi stand at St John’s Road near the Eastern Main Road.
A Mt St Benedict taxi driver, who has been on the route for three years, said since 2021, where five people (including a husband and wife Mustapha and Amanda Mohammed) were killed along St John’s Road, which leads to the religious site, in what police labelled a rival gang turf war, and the occasional occurrences of robberies and the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers of visitors are on the decline.
“Normally, the crowd does be much bigger than this. Normally, we used to use two buses, now we only use one during the week,” the taxi driver said.
“I think it is still safe but seeing more police and security would make people feel even more safe,” he added.
A resident of the area, who did not want to be identified, said she wished the old-time days could return, where people who lived in the area looked out for each other and doors to their homes remained unlocked.
“I really wish that that could come back but maybe someday, we will have that kind of Utopia world,” the elderly woman said.
“The crime in the area and in the country at large is extremely concerning but we have to pray and hope for the best,” she added.
A visitor to the church, who identified herself only as Mrs Ramsoondar, said she has been visiting the sit since age of six and although she doesn’t feel safe there anymore, vowed not to stop going to church.
“I see they have security so that supposed to keep you safe you know. People come to pray. Everybody have issues and problems in their own way and they not supposed to do that, that means the bandits don’t care about anything and anybody anymore.”
Ineez Ramroop, of Chaguanas, who was visiting the church in celebration of her birthday, said she wished for a better country.
“Coming up to the Mount has always been so peaceful, serene. For me and my sisters and brother in-law, it holds a very special place in our hearts. Really, it’s just the calmness of the place,” Ramroop said.
“I would want to see more police patrols. I think they have enough security. I’m not too sure because it all depends on their budget. I don’t know if they can afford it.”
Contacted on Thursday, Abbot John Pereira, who is stationed at the Monastery, said security will be heightened to ensure visitor safety.
“The administration of the Monastery is seeking to establish some more visible security presence at the Abby and the Monks of Mount St Benedict Monastery are recommitting themselves to offer the only alternative to violence which is Pax, the Pax Benedictina, The Peace of Benedict, The Benedictine Peace.”
Meanwhile, Acting Commissioner of Police Wayne Mystar told the Guardian Media that in 2022, there were only two reports coming out of the area - larceny of a motor vehicle and robbery with aggravation. However, he added that since then, police patrols have been ramped up in the area.
“I would like to encourage members of the public to assist us, the police, by saying something if you see something and by using the emergency numbers 999 and 555,” Mystar said.
