The Chinese business community in Santa Rosa is not being targeted by criminals, police say. The police are also saying they are not sitting idly by doing nothing as the businesses are attacked by criminals.
T&T Police Service public information officer, ASP Michael Pierre, made the comment during yesterday’s weekly press briefing when asked about the increase in robberies within the Santa Rosa area and whether he felt the bandits were xenophobic.
He said: “I will not state that the Chinese community is being targeted. We are well aware that robberies are diverse in nature and anyone can be a victim of a robbery. “What we have done and what we will continue to do is to increase our presence in the areas, which are the hot spots, where persons may be targeted and regarding that we will also appreciate the partnership with members of the public, as without information we cannot solve crimes.”
He added that the investigation into the spate of robberies in the community was ongoing and six men had been held in connection with them. He added that the men were held based on information received, saying: “We are not sitting idly by and are doing all that is required to do in terms of solving crimes in T&T.”
In an interview with the T&T Guardian on Tuesday, Chinese Association of T&T committee member, David Lee Kim, said it was no secret that Chinese businesses were being targeted.
Unable to say how many Chinese businesses operate in Trinidad, Lee Kim said in the last two years there had been a proliferation of restaurants, supermarkets and casinos set up by Chinese in the country which criminals view as a “gold mine” and “easy pickings.”
“Chinese people have become an easy target by the criminal elements. They are not known to retaliate or fight back when under the barrel of a gun or being beaten mercilessly,” Lee Kim said.
The residents of Santa Rosa said they were fearful after two recent robberies of Chinese businesses.
The latest Chinese victim was a 74-year-old man who was beaten on July 28 and left for dead at his Pinto Road business place which is located two buildings from the Pinto Road Police Post.
Another Chinese businessman, who is situated a mere 500 feet away at Avocado Road, was also relieved of the day’s sales two weeks ago as he closed up his business.
During a visit to the community by the T&T Guardian earlier this week, the residents complained that although there was a police post in the areas, the bandits were still targeting the businesses and residents alike.
Since the story was published on Tuesday, there has been an increased in police presence in the area, a sight the residents have now welcomed.
ACP Surajdeen Persad has also indicated that they were investigating the matter and patrols would be increased to allay residents’ fears.