Matelot, a picturesque fishing village located on the North Coast of Trinidad, was said to be one of the safest areas in Trinidad and Tobago. But that has changed. Last weekend, the entire community went into mourning when two brothers, Akeil and Arnott Isaac were murdered in cold blood.
00:00I know them, I know them, and their mother believe. I leave here 20 years ago. I did not come back last year.
00:08But when I come back here, the place change. You know what I say, the place change. Youth men them, you know, different rules.
00:15A community with approximately 300 people simply known for its fishing and togetherness is now being terrorized by persons living in the community who they believe are involved in gang activities.
00:27Residents of Matlod said the double murder that took place on Sunday 19th has left the entire community in shock.
00:34TV6 spoke to a resident who has been living there for over 60 years. He described Matlod as a beautiful village, but according to him, for the last three years this beautiful village took a turn for the worse.
00:47The man who spoke to TV6 on the condition of anonymity said because of crime, people and businesses in the community imposed a curfew.
00:55I was the one who took down them there, man. I went and took them down. Because the place is real bummy here. Real, real bummy here.
01:04Six o'clock, everything shut down in Matlod. Everything shut down. Shut right down. Nobody moving, nobody taking out gates in this community here.
01:16When TV6 ventured into Matlod, we noticed that there weren't many fishing activities taking place. When asked the reason for the lack of business activity in the community, the resident said there had been an economic downfall due to criminal activities.
01:32They keep about six boats only. The same person, they keep about six fishing boats on the beach here. So, nothing operating. So, they pledge for, say, URP, CPEP, county, making all the money, all the kids in Bina, you understand me?
01:48The resident believes there should be a joint security effort with the police and members of the defense force.
01:54Police and soldiers. Strength we need in this community here. We need strength. We need real, real strength. Because these gangsters and them, it's just a handful, you know? Just a handful, you know?
02:08TV6 reached out to the head of Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent Christopher Pampanet. He said while he is aware of the concerns of Matlod residents about crime in the community, the TTPS is doing all they can to deal with the problem.
02:21Apart from the community's layout, the senior superintendent noted that such isolated areas can affect external criminals.
02:29We are carefully assessing whether external actors, including gangs, are contributing to crime in Matlod and its surrounding communities.
02:40We are aware of concerns that some criminal actors may be moving through Valencia, San Gregrande, and Matlod. Additionally, the geographic location of the community makes it susceptible to being exploited for drug-related activities, whether as a transit point or otherwise.
02:56However, it would not be responsible to confirm specific gangs' operations until we have stronger or more specific evidence.
03:04He also called on residents to maintain close contact with their local police officers. MP for Toko, San Gregrande, Roger Munro described the murders of the Isaac brothers as shocking and heart-wrenching.
03:15It's unfortunate to lose two young men, especially a young man who is still at school age, and even both of them who had their entire future in front of them, and it's unfortunate to lose anyone in a matter of fact.
03:29But at such tender age and in such quiet village, one wouldn't expect such an unfortunate situation to take place.
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