National Security Minister Gary Griffith says reports of a shooting attack on the Besson Street Police Station reinforces the need for armoured vehicles for members of the protective services. In a release yesterday, Griffith said he believed the incident on Thursday night would now force those who were opposed to his ministry’s plan to purchase a batch of armoured personnel carriers (APC) to reconsider their position.
“This attack demonstrates for all to see that we were already on the right path and, if anything, should have upgraded our ground assets sooner,” Griffith said. He also said the incident proved that Government’s proactive anti-crime initiatives, which include increased visibility of the police and the use of Defence Force personnel to patrol crime hot spots, were necessary.
“The harsh reality is that we are fighting to reclaim this nation from the criminal elements, a fight that we have every intention of winning and, as disturbing as last night's brazen attack was, it shows that we have been spot-on in our assessment of the situation and our responses to it,” Griffith said. He could not give a timeframe for the introduction of the APCs, as he said bureaucracy may delay his ministry’s ongoing tendering process for the purchase of the vehicles.
He also dismissed claims of police brutality and alleged abuses by soldiers as counter-productive, as, he said, such accusations served to undermine the morale of the troops and give “comfort and support to those bent on unleashing mayhem on our society. “We have to fight fire with fire and every time we move to protect our law enforcement officers, there are a few persons who continue to make deliberate statements to try to peg us back,” he said.
Although he described the incident as an example of the “clear and present danger” by gangs operating in east Port-of-Spain, Griffith also sought to assure the public they should not been alarmed. “There is no need for concern at this time. Law enforcement agencies are in full control,” he said. According to reports, the shooting at the police station occurred shortly after three men, including murder suspect Dillon “Bandy” Skeete, were shot dead at Desperlie Crescent, Laventille.
Skeete had been wanted in connection with the murder of off-duty soldier Lance Corporal Kayode Thomas, who was killed at Plaisance Quarry Road, John John, on June 29. Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams confirmed the attack on the station yesterday but noted that the building did not suffer any damage.