GOVERNMENT’s “Plan B” for fighting the current crime wave went into effect quietly about a month ago, and while the lips of everyone in the know remain tightly sealed, a drastic drop in crime is expected before next year’s election.

This information comes on the heels of an announcement by Public Utilities and Environment Minister Pennelope Beckles that the Beetham Landfill is to be closed.

The Beetham Landfill.

A People’s National Movement (PNM) party insider told TnT Mirror that government has embarked on a secret attempt to do away with the criminal element by using the same methods used to get rid of rats, flies and other vermin: Eliminate their breeding places.

“This is the real reason behind moves such as the redevelopment of Port of Spain and the closure of the Beetham dump and the other landfills,” said the north-based PNMite.

In explaining further, the source said the only way to diffuse the long-standing feuds and break up, the gangs is to “completely wipe out the places where they live, breed and die.”

The plan is to completely change the face of certain parts of East Port of Spain, Laventille and Morvant.

“Could you imagine what would happen when they close the dump?” the source asked, adding, “That landfill is Beetham Gardens’ lifeline. “Without it, a certain element in the Beetham will have to simply move out.”

He continued: “The cable thieves would have to go elsewhere or disband, and nobody would miss them because the fires would stop and people in Port of Spain and Laventille could breathe again.”

In recent times, fires at the landfill have contributed significantly to a high level of air pollution in Port of Spain and environs, with the south-east trade winds blowing thick, black, smelly smoke directly into the capital city.

The fires are believed to be deliberately set by cable thieves as they attempt to burn off the insulation to obtain valuable copper.

The cable thieves have been a headache to Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) for more than 15 years, and their actions often disrupt telephone services for thousands.

The closure of the Forres Park Landfill is also expected to have a similar effect in Central and South Trinidad as it is believed that a ring of dirt poor criminals operate from there.

Despite being described as “low-level bandits”, they have been involved in several kidnappings and are known to be easily available for hire by bigger fish in the crime pond.

Police have been attempting to round up these petty bandits, with the hope of getting information on the bigger crime bosses, but they have met with little success so far.