The quieter profile now in force in central Trinidad as a result of joint police/army patrols belies the badlands image the area has carried lately.
When Prime Minister Keith Rowley noted in Parliament last Friday that the problem which Laventille and East Port-of-Spain had been known for now plagues Central, it was said as matter of fact, without political malice. Indeed the problem which has simmered beneath Central’s placid plains for quite some time—contained by assorted manoeuvres within and without the law—began breaking out in recent months for various reasons.
Last week’s murder statistics showed Central Division in police listings now rivalling Northern Division for the highest number of murders—25 to Northern’s 33—showing how the axis of crime has shifted recently.
In 2014 when the ill-fated Life Sport programme scandal was at its height, then-Opposition MP Colm Imbert in Parliament accused the PP of allowing a 250-strong milita to be cultivated in the East-West Corridor via Life Sport funding. The programme halted after ex-National Security minister Gary Griffith’s revelation of criminal infiltration and elements linked to an east Trinidad mosque. Some are now in jail on other charges.
Up to January, turf wars still appeared in play in the North—where feuding between the so-called “Rasta City” and “Muslims” gangs held the spotlight in recent years.
Islamic Front leader Umar Abdulah said the rift began years ago when “…Muslim brothers cut off a Rasta man’s locks in jail...we have to learn tolerance,” he urged the Muslim community.
The New Year’s morning attack on Beetham—by gunmen standing on Laventille Heights above Beetham—opened the year, claiming the lives of a six-year-old youngster and a 64-year-old grandmother.
Central, with its own cluster of Muslim influences from Longdenville to Chaguanas—traditional and “independent masjids”—however, recently overtook the spotlight with a rash of murders including what appeared to be reprisals in hotspots where mosques are located.
Boodram Street in Enterprise and Longdenville addresses have cropped up for approximately ten people listed on a 2013-2015 security agency list of 105—men, women and children—who left T&T to go to Syria to align with terrorist network, Isis.
The addresses pertain to men and women as well as a group headed by Anthony Hamlet who left in 2014. He was reported killed in battle in Syria. His two young sons were in Syria also (one now reported to be dead). But his wife and two daughters returned to T&T two months after they left. State assistance dealt with the matter as a human trafficking issue
Currently in Central, those watching turf war fire said flare-ups include people who have come together from different mosques, after being expelled by various Islamic leaders.
Among that rootless—residents say ruthless, posse—are alleged to be people charged in April for the October 2015 murder of one Amos Dick.
A police statement stated the trio including a teenager charged for the murder was allegedly linked to a group known as “Unruly Isis” (UI) of Enterprise. That trio is now at Golden Grove (Remand) where unrest broke out two weeks ago after authorities swept cells for illegal items.
With the trio “inside,” there’s been corresponding violence on the “outside” in Central where the so-called UI operates.
Ex-minister Griffith said there was significant homicide reduction after Life Sport. “But a couple major players retained ground in Central and for some strange reason were never touched even though we were advised to deal with them. Their rivals were snuffed out and only these kingpins remained—that’s why there were no turf wars in Central then.”
Central Division head Sr Supt Jayson Forde, whose squad has contained recent violence with the lock-down of several high-profile persons alleged to control turf, confirmed the situation involves a minority Muslim element.
“It’s common knowledge these minority elements are involved with guns and drugs,” he added.
“They are people hell-bent on criminal behaviour, influencing youths to submit to their will, coercing them by promises...fear is a great controller. We’ve spared no effort in trying to counteract this culture of fear and while I don’t have to do patrols, I’m on the ground with my team day and night.
“Under my watch there will be no ‘enabling’ of any criminal big or small. We entertain no threats and the public should fear no one either.”
Still trying with culprits—Imam Searles
Head of the Boodram Street mosque Imam Taulib Searles said his mosque numbers about 200 including Selwyn “Robocop” Alexis and his family.
While Searles said he hasn’t seen army vehicles, he welcomes patrols. “We have no cocoa in the sun, things are quieter now. We’re glad they’re around as the June 6 fasting month approaches. People would be safe to come to mosque.”
But he hasn’t given up on local trouble-makers. “I’m still trying with them, but the community and the country is having serious problems that need analysis; it’s not only local.”
Searles doesn’t say much about those mosque members who have gone “overseas” (Syria), save that people may have died.
“People pass through different masjids though you may think they’re from by us...we’re not sure if they’re going based on leadership direction or what...(but) some of the world’s best minds are going away.”
He’s concerned that terrorism fears could cause Muslims to be banned from getting visas for Umrah and upcoming Hajj pilgrimages abroad. Searles, whose name is listed on a website as an agent organising 2011 Hajj tours, added, “People are concerned about blacklisting or may lose money they’ve paid for trips. We know the situation is an international concern but National Security hasn’t engaged us to put a face to what’s going on. We’ve heard talk the Attorney General is going to court to declare people terrorists—but how do you judge that? People will react if they don’t know what to expect, they must know the rules.”
Searles said he expects some of those coming to his mosque these days may “include police who may be curious about what causes a community to be destructive and about what is being said to the assembly.
“Some members weren’t coming to the mosque as they felt unsafe. But also if they stay indoors they can’t get work and crime may be affected again. At the same time patrols offer no opportunity for conversation and people cannot vent there. And what happens when patrols leave? Things return to normal. So we need ideas to engage people.”
Cut their roots—Imam Lynch
Imam Mourland Lynch who heads Enterprise’s Circular Drive, Crowne Trace, mosque was personally touched by turmoil when his own son Akmal—whom he was grooming to take over as Imam—was gunned down last year. This, soon after he met with then PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar who had launched an anti-violence drive in the area.
“When I got the call I only had time to reach him and hold him and he kind of gasped—that was it. Since then I’ve made my peace with Allah...when they send the angel of death for me I have no fear. My heart has gone out of me since my boy’s death. He was brave and strong and tried with all his might to stay away from those fellas.
“....So, I carry no weapons, I speak.”
Lynch relived the tragedy last week when Ryan Hercules, son of late Jamaat member Mark Guerra, was gunned down. Hercules had been providing security for the Enterprise mosque which has been under threat from the UI crew.
Lynch, who has distanced his mosque from the culprits, recounted one incident. “They killing people as if they’re chicken...pass in front the mosque, bold—no mask on—pass the man they were looking for, turn around and shoot him in the back.”
He believes there’s unease now since the shooters expect retaliation. “These youths have no parents, no love, they smoke their weed, go out. They’re not Muslims. I sent them away from our mosque, told them, this isn’t Islam’s way, they’re just pretending.”
Some of his members feel authorities waited too long in the past to get the situation under control. He subscribes to a shutdown also extending to those who harbour troublemakers. “You need to cut the roots...”
Four-pronged plan needed—Tewarie
Caroni Central MP Dr Bhoe Tewarie said there had been sporadic issues in Enterprise in the PP’s term. The current battle for turf, he said, requires a very focused approach to dealing with what is a national issue—not in Central alone— with networks of hotspots from East PoS and parts of east Trinidad, to Couva and parts of South
“In these areas, you need control zones where people entering and leaving can be monitored so you have an idea of what’s happening and potential for issues. That must be managed by security forces with good intelligence and technology. Also creation of safe zones, community policing at stations where collaborative strategies with communities can be done. And you need national strategic deployment of mobile patrols and electronic surveillance.”
Ex-PP minister Roodal Moonilal believes criminal elements flare up when the PNM is in power. He said the burgeoning of radical Muslim elements was a concern in the PP’s term, especially in Central and South, though there were times Central was safe and there was no geographical end to the spate of murders and pressing problems. Detailing resources given to authorities, Moonilal said monitoring of intelligence was needed “almost hourly.”
Former Central Division head Johnny Abraham says his formula was to network with everyone “from shopkeeper to shopper...I had ears to the ground all the time; anything flared up, we handled it before it got out of hand. Early intervention is key.
“Now it’s a new generation, you wouldn’t know all the young players. Perhaps older ones might give you a heads up, but you must be on the ground...”
It has been confirmed to the Sunday Guardian that Abraham will not be returning to the Central posting.[DO WE NEED THIS IN THIS STORY?]