Senior members of the Police Service are now investigating a video circulating on social media in which men claiming to be from the Islamic faith are making violent threats against members from “Rastacity,” “Rastas” or “anything looking like a Rasta.” The video, which has been circulating on a social website, has lyrical content and still shots of a variety of guns and ammunition being displaying, including high-powered AK 47s, pump action 12-gauge shotguns, Glock 9mms, 357 Magnums, Baretta 9mms and RF50s.
Islamic words and statements, such as “Doh run, killing anything looking like a Rasta”, feature prominently in the video as are masked men holding various guns. It is believed the video is part of continuing gang warfare culture in the Laventille community. In a phone interview yesterday, Assistant Police Commissioner Carlton Alleyne said they were aware of the video and were investigating it.
He said there were a lot of splinter groups from two gangs and they were living from Port-of-Spain east to the Morvant district. On Monday, prison officers said they were also living in fear after viewing a video with numerous guns. The video also portrayed members of the Islamic faith posing behind prison walls.
Contacted yesterday, however, National Security Minister Carl Alfonso said members of the public should not panic after viewing the videos that were in circulation. He said the police should do their duty and investigate the source of the videos. He added: “I hope the Special Branch and the police, at least, have some knowledge of it. Some people are bent on disrupting society and we need to remain calm.
“I would urge people to have good sense prevail and they (criminal elements) desist from it. It does nobody good disrupting society and we should remain calm and not panic and let law enforcement officers do their work.”