Newly appointed Inspector of Crime and Operations in the southern city Don Gajadhar says crime in San Fernando has been reduced by at least 15 per cent and that he plans to implement a proactive crime plan which will reduce crime by a further 15 per cent.
Gajadhar said the public needed to be aware of the types of crimes taking place in specific areas so they could be proactive in protecting themselves. He was speaking at a ceremony for newly-appointed officers held at San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein’s office in San Fernando on Wednesday.
In attendance were Hosein, councilor Robert Paris, assistant superintendent Heather Brathwaite-Remy, Superintendent Floris Hodge-Griffith, Senior Superintendent Irwin Hackshaw, Assistant Commissioner of Police Donald Denoon and San Fernando City Corporation chief executive officer, Indarjit Singh.
“What we seeing is that at least 15-20 per cent of our crimes are curbed because of the actions of our citizens and we trying to get the message out through the media,” said Gajadhar.
“We want to have proactive measures that put in place. We will tell the citizens the crimes that we are getting and the areas that we are getting it.”
Gajadhar said the new policy was not to scare citizens, but to make them more aware of their actions and how they could lead to them becoming victims of crime.
“It is not to scare anyone but it is just to make you aware, especially by the banks and for persons who are leaving items in their vehicles on a daily basis. We try to tell them that is not the way to go. These people are always moving around.”
Also speaking at the meeting, Hosein called on Hackshaw to do something about prison vehicles that were parked in front of the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court on a daily basis, blocking off the entire street. Hosein said citizens had been complaining for some time and this issue needed to be addressed.
“As the primary body in San Fernando, we have been plagued by complaints about that street in front of the court house being blocked all the time,” said Hosein. “Something needs to be done about this it is causing a great inconvenience to everyone.”
However, Hackshaw explained that the blocking off of the roadway was a security measure.
Hackshaw assured Hosein that he would look into resolving the issue, without compromising the safety of citizens.
“It is a security measure, these are high risk prisoners, who are very dangerous,” said Hackshaw.
“Everything is done a certain way to prevent them from escaping. But I will be looking into the matter to see what can be done differently.”