Residents of St Barb’s, Laventille Road, Picton Road and St Paul Street yesterday dismissed as a lie and propaganda a reward being offered by National Security Minister Gary Griffith for information which may lead to the arrest of Laventille gang members who have put a $20,000 hit on law enforcement officers.
The $100,000 reward was officially offered by the Ministry of National Security yesterday to anyone who can give credible information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of people planning, paying, aiding and abetting and/or involved in the shooting of any law enforcement officer. The offer is being offered through Crime Stoppers, the ministry said in a release, and came one day after Insp Roger Alexander publicly announced the $20,000 bounty on air Tuesday.
The situation developed in the wake of the recent killing of reputed gang leader Dillon “Bandy” Skeete and two other men at Desperlie Crescent on September 24. Residents had claimed the killings were carried out by soldiers acting with police in retaliation for the murder of Lance Corporal Kayode Thomas on June 29 but that was denied by police and army hierarchy.
Yesterday, some of the gang leaders and residents said they believed the bounty and reward claim was being used to set up them up so law enforcement officers could lock down the community and target them. “Maybe they trying to create a situation where it will cause chaos and then they will say they have to force a limited state of emergency, which will obviously give them an excuse to come in here and kill all of we,” one resident, who did not want to be identified, told the T&T Guardian.
“This is real mad ting. They trying to fool the public. If all this is true, why didn’t they bring the proof and show it to all that there are plans to kill the police and soldiers. They using this to march forces into the area,” he added. There are also claims by the police that while they are on mobile patrols in Laventille they are being shot at by gang members. That, they said, had them afraid for their lives.
However, a Laventille Road resident claimed it was they who have been taunted by police on mobile patrols in recent weeks. “Just this morning (yesterday) a police van pulled up in front of me and the officer say, ‘Aye, you have a $20,000 on my head, eh.’ The officer then laughed and the police van drove off.
“This is what we are faced with. They harass us. They give us a curfew and if they see us liming out here late they threatening us or beating us. Is real drama with them police and soldiers and dem,” he added. Two young men, who were liming at the side of the road at St Barb’s, said the area was known for men belonging to the “Rasta City” gang but added they were all about promoting life and love.
“Listen, the police and dem coming up here and killing innocent people. We living in fear. They trying to kill us out,” one said. Another resident of St Barb’s, who also wished to remain anonymous, said he strongly believed Griffith had an agenda. “Maybe he getting pay out by the rich people to kill we out so that they can move in and take over the hills, which is prime land,” he said.
Businessman Keston Rennie, 33, who operates a restaurant at the junction of Picton and Laventille Roads, admitted crime was a humbug but said he believed if more young people like him started home businesses they could transform Laventille. “I could have my businesses outside but I choose to be here... to help develop the area,” he said.
“I not on nobody. I don’t do drugs and I am not a gangster but I believe that by me doing a good job here others will follow and maybe one day Laventille can have a pharmacy or even a ATM machine,” he said.
‘Negotiating with criminals over’
Contacted yesterday on the residents’ claims, Griffith insisted he had made a direct hit back on criminals. “Gone are the days where criminals can flex their muscles,” he said in a telephone interview. “The time for negotiation is over. No more private meetings and no more contracts. I do not have any intention to negotiate with terrorists or criminals. When they swing, I will swing back harder and hit even harder,” he added.
Also contacted yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams said he was not sure about the bounty put out on law enforcement officers. However, he said he was had nothing to do with the reward being offered which could lead to the arrest of anyone plotting to carry out such acts. Griffith confirmed Williams’s statement, saying it was a National Security Minister and Crime Stoppers initiative.
When asked about the bounty issue at yesterday’s weekly police media briefing, ASP Joanne Archie said: “What I have been hearing is in the public domain. However, at this moment I have no guidance on that issue.” Archie then advised her colleagues to be vigilant and be alert while on the streets.