BANDITS have gone on the rampage in the Curepe area, especially along the busy Southern Main Road, robbing people of jewellery and cash on the road and in bars, with no response from the police.

“Since police officers from the dilapidated St. Joseph Station moved to the Tunapuna Station about two months ago, there has been an upsurge of crime in Curepe,” TnT Mirror was told.

“People are being mugged day and night.

“And victims of robberies have to take their losses because of the lack of prompt police action.

“They are forced to travel to Tunapuna to make their reports, and are getting little response because of the limited number of police officers from the St. Joseph Station who turn out to work.

“Some victims are even refusing to go and make a report because they consider doing so a waste of time.

“Sometimes, there are no police vehicles to respond immediately.”

One source further revealed: “Officers stationed at the police mobile unit at the St. Joseph Station cannot respond to reports of crime since their duties are to guard the station, where there are seized vehicles, and keep an eye on the property room where exhibits are stored.

The busy Southern Main Road, Curepe.

Some of the seized vehicles at the old
St. Joseph Police Station. Note the
Police Post at right.

“And because of the overcrowded Tunapuna Station, which now houses officers from two other stations, Piarco and St. Joseph, some frustrated lawmen are staying away from the job.

“Absenteeism is as high as 60 per cent among officers from the St. Joseph Station.

“Some officers complained they have to work in an overcrowded station and sometimes even in the corridor.

“There is a desk in the corridor which is used by the Inspector in charge of the CID.

“In addition, at times there are more than 20 prisoners in the two cells at the Tunapuna Station, which are also in an unsanitary condition, and add to the deteriorating condition of the station.”

Mirror was further told: “When robbery victims call 999 they are asked to call the Tunapuna Station.

“An officer from the St. Joseph Station, who is based at the Tunapuna Station, has to take the report, but in most cases they are out on investigations.

“Hence, it becomes almost an exercise in futility calling the police when you are robbed in Curepe.”

Concerned police officers said from the few cops of the St. Joseph Station who turn out to work, some have to guard prisoners at the hospital, others have to go on duty at the home of the Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson, while others have to attend court.

Businessmen and other residents complained: “Young bandits walk around in broad daylight and during the night looking to rob people in Curepe.

“They snatch gold chains, cellphones and women’s handbags. Certain business places are also targeted.”

On Tuesday evening, a man was sitting at the popular Bobby’s Bar in Curepe with some friends when two teenagers walked in.

One of them grabbed a chain from around the man’s neck but failed to get it off after a struggle.

He then calmly walked away.

Curepe is a busy area with scores of doubles vendors, several pubs and restaurants along the Southern Main Road from the Priority Bus Route.

Businessmen said they have not seen any police on foot patrol in the Curepe area for sometime now.

When asked to comment on the problems police are experiencing at the Tunapuna Station, Head of the Northern Division Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Frederick admitted that the situation is uncomfortable for officers.

He also said there was a manpower problem which could be responsible for the slow response to reports of crime.

But ACP Frederick said he was not aware of the high rate of officers staying away from the job.

He promised to send policemen to the Curepe area to restore some order.