At least two imams in Central Trinidad are ready to meet with the relevant authorities including the Minister of National Security to talk about the upsurge in murders and crime/gang violence, as they are fed up and ready for action to clamp down on crime.
The T&T Guardian was told that members of the Unruly Isis Gang in Enterprise, Chaguanas, are constantly instilling fear in residents. There are about 20 members of this gang and they are said to be all under the age of 25.
Crown Trace mosque Imam Morland Abdullah yesterday confirmed this and added that it was high time that every law enforcement officer, including the army and police, got their act together and came into the area to deal with the troublemakers.
He added that joint police/army patrols should recommence but at the same time be stepped up a notch by having the soldiers and police walk the streets.
"We are expecting retaliation for the recent murders but we are hoping that the police come in and take over," Abdullah said.
The imam also called for a security meeting with the relevant authorities.
Also sharing Abdullah’s sentiments was imam of the Enterprise Community Musjid, Taulib Searles. He said he was yet to meet with the relevant authorities to seriously discuss crime and ways of combatting it.
"There is need for conversation. The relevant authorities need to meet with us the community and the leaders and discuss, find the root cause and find ways and means of dealing with the issue that is plaguing our communities," Searles said.
Asked if he would welcome the redeployment of joint police/army patrols in the area, Searles said that whilst it may bring temporary relief there must be a permanent solution.
A community leader, who wished not to be identified, admitted that there were too many stupid acts of violence and murders taking place among the youths.
"They are getting themselves involved in too much stupidness and silliness and that must stop now. Every little thing they want to kill and kill but they ought to really man up and get serious and stop the stupid and unnecessary acts," the community leader said.
A resident, who also wished not to be identified, fears that there will be reprisal killings for the murder of Ryan Derron Hercules, 39, of 11 Circular Drive, Enterprise, who was gunned down on Friday night. He was killed while walking along the pavement at the corner of Crown Trace and Circular Drive, Enterprise, at about 8.30 pm.
Hercules was the son of Mark Guerra, a former top-ranking official of the Jamaat al-Muslimeen. Guerra was gunned down at his farm in Wallerfield on March 23, 2005.