Tobagonians must trust the police’s process

If Tobagonians hope to see a reduction in crime levels that have marred the island’s reputation as a safe and peaceful destination, it will not be done by opposing every action the police and other state agencies take in support of law and order.

A few weeks ago, we saw the immature charade of ‘obeah’ rituals being brought to bear against Licensing officers who sought to crack down on illegal vehicle tints and other infractions under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Those behind it foolishly felt they were entitled to be exempted because of the absurd notion that Licensing officers from Trinidad should not be ‘harassing’ Tobagonians, and conveniently ignored the fact that the officers were seeking to address lawlessness.

Last week, we saw yet another disagreement between some Tobago residents and the police who, in partnership with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), began evicting illegal vendors from the road leading to Pigeon Point beach, in the area popularly known as Swallows.

In this case, the outcry was channelled along sentimental lines, as those opposed to it focused heavily on the prevailing economic hardships the vendors were being put under, and less on the fact that their actions were unlawful. This is not uncommon when it comes to evictions.

However, while the argument whipped up public support, Senior Superintendent Rodhill Kirk brought another perspective to the police action, pointing out that the area was frequented by people engaged in the drug trade.

This, therefore, was a two-for-one action by police, as by ridding Swallows of illegal vending booths, they would also rid the area of what had become a platform for more serious illegal acts.

Snr Supt Kirk’s perspective negates the notion that police are more bent on addressing ‘small’ crimes instead of focusing on the bigger criminals, particularly since their investigations show that the bigger criminals are exploiting the police’s failure to address the ‘small’ crimes, in order to build their illegal empires.

The snowball impact of drug peddling is an increase in gang activity and murders.

Those crying out for the police to stop the rising number of homicides in Tobago, therefore, have officers like Supt Kirk to thank for being resilient towards addressing the ‘smaller crimes’ on the island, while other arms of the Police Service implement other direct crime-fighting strategies.

While Chief Secretary Farley Augustine sought to appease the vendors by assuring them the THA was planning to relocate them to a legal site, he also supported the police action against the bedding grounds from criminal activity in a Facebook address on Friday. Augustine referenced the recent police interventions at Rockley Vale as a case in point.

Police recently arrested men from the area with illegal weapons and drugs, together with a large amount of US and local currency. The area is known by police to be the home of the Tobago Sixx gang.

To plead with the police for an end to murders in Tobago, while at the same time crying out to them to stop taking action against ‘small’ illegal activity is, therefore, counterproductive behaviour that can result in dangerous effects later down the road.

Tobagonians must let the police do their job on all fronts. One simply cannot have one’s cake and eat it too.

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