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02:49Welcome to Beyond the Tape, I'm your host.
02:58Welcome Trinidad and Tobago and of course our viewers across the globe.
03:03I'm Mark Besant and today we are joined by acting ASP Ishmael Pitt of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
03:10Welcome back sir, how are you?
03:12Not too bad Mark, pleasant evening, pleasant evening Sean Tobago.
03:15How are you?
03:17I'm fine so far, I know it's day 53 of the state of emergency.
03:21Yes.
03:22But more importantly, answers that we have been waiting for for almost four days following Sunday Express exclusive story broken about over 25,000 rungs of ammunition missing from the barracks, Komoto barracks of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
03:40I can tell you just a short while ago there was a media release that was sent out by the office of the Prime Minister indicating at the cabinet meeting held today,
03:50the Honorable Fitzgerald Hines, Minister of National Security raised the matter of the allegations that 25,573 rungs of 5.56 ammunition had quote unquote disappeared from the Komoto barracks of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
04:07This serious allegation was a topic of concern for the government and in particular the members of cabinet who share the concerns of the population.
04:16To that end and following today's discussions, the cabinet has decided to establish a team to conduct a thorough audit of records, armory and storage facilities at the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, Komoto barracks and any related matter.
04:31The team will include five persons, Colonel Retired Lyle Alexander, Co-Chairman, Mr. Wellington Virgil, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Martin Morin, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Colonel Retired Michael Clark and Warrant Officer Retired Wayne Ngwai.
04:48As a direct result of the intervention of Dr. Keith Rowley, the Honorable Prime Minister, the team will also include two military officers from CARICOM countries, one of whom will be the team's Co-Chair.
05:02These members will be joined from the Guyana Defense Force as agreed by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Ilfan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Jamaica Defense Force as agreed by the Most Honorable Andrew Hollness, the Jamaica Prime Minister.
05:20So it's certainly some good news there because accountability is important in this particular story where we have such a considerable number of ammunition missing from the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
05:38Well definitely when you, anyone hearing the amount will have some cause for concern. I guess based on the response, based on the names that I've heard, the position they held and the position that some of those persons still hold, it is clear that it's being taken with the level of seriousness that it deserves.
06:02So we trust that on completion, the public at large would be made appraised as to what were the findings and that most importantly we make recommendations to ensure that we don't face similar situations going forward.
06:19Most definitely. And this of course is a, is to run concurrently with the Board of Inquiry. We understand that started on Tuesday to also get an idea of what really happened and when or where did this ammunition go missing. When I mean where, I mean was it while it was in the bunker, while it was being transferred in 2022 to the other room or perhaps when it was in that particular room if it went missing.
06:43So those are some of the things that the Board of Inquiry will try to ascertain as well as other things that they'll be calling specific witnesses and so on as the Army would be doing their parallel investigation.
06:53Of course, of course. And, you know, we wish the team well in terms of their endeavours. We know that investigations of this nature could be tedious, you know, it could be longstanding. But again, based on the names and the positions that you have just mentioned there, you know, we can feel confident that the desired outcome would be achieved.
07:15We feel quite happy that this latest development has drawn the attention of the government in this instance. And I know we are in the midst of carnival and we have another another week or so to go. And I just want you to kind of walk us through some of the precautions people should be taking as we get into this, this, this week coming here of merriment and so on.
07:37And to be vigilant, of course, when they go out, when they leave their homes, and even when they are in certain activities.
07:46Yes, well, there's so much, Mark, there's so much. I mean, we are in a period of jollification, you deemed it merriment. And, you know, for that reason, we may tend to let down our guards, sometimes because of the fact that we are in particular environments, sometimes because of the fact that we are in particular environments, and we may be intoxicated.
08:05You know, we throw caution to the wind, we may throw security to the wind, we may throw safety to the wind. And, you know, some of us may not be as fortunate as others and we suffer for it.
08:15So we always urge members of the public to, you know, be on your P's and Q's, understand that, you know, things are not the way they used to be.
08:23And it takes each and every one of us to understand that in the first instance, we are responsible for ourselves. And secondly, we are responsible for other people.
08:32And we would like that people exercise those levels of responsibilities and take all the necessary measures in order to preserve their safety and security.
08:40So we can go towards road safety. We have recognized that at times like this, there's so many accidents, and they may not always be fatal accidents.
08:53You know, sometimes what we refer to as the fender benders may occur, but it doesn't make it any less dangerous because it could have been that these accidents could have been worse.
09:03So again, we will always ask persons, don't drink and drive, adhere to all the rules and regulations of the roadway, be our brother's keeper, be responsible.
09:16You know, there are so many things because sometimes the common man is of the view that a lot of these safety mechanisms, when enforced, are for the purpose of providing revenue.
09:29As opposed to seeing those fines or sanctions, as you may deem it, as deterrent factors for you not to become involved in those situations and circumstances in the first place.
09:40So I think we don't view it from the perspective that it should be viewed. We view it from the perspective of, you know, as a revenue-seeking sort of approach, as opposed to trying to understand and appreciate the fact that those fees, fines, sanctions are there to pose a deterrent.
10:00So that in the first instance, it would kind of dissuade us from going in those directions.
10:04Most certainly, and I know during the course of the show, we'll be talking about carnival safety. We're now going to take a look at our figures for the state of emergency up to day 53.
10:16Yes, so it's day 53, and the number of operations that have been conducted so far, 2,848 priority offenders targeted, 2,228 searches conducted, 19,375 traffic operations, 2,544.
10:39The amount of persons arrested, 2,067.
10:43Traffic offenses detected, 10,122.
10:47Firearms recovered, 101.
10:50Ammunition recovered, 2,067.
10:53Dangerous drug seized, over 305,000 grams of cannabis and 1,986 grams of cocaine, right, over.
11:03So in terms of the firearm recovery and the narcotic recovery, we can say yes, it is indeed significant.
11:11And we continue to give that level of energy, because you would appreciate the fact that it's day 53, and we are in that state of red, if you should call it that, where our officers are functioning at a high level.
11:28And, you know, that would take a lot of dedication, it would take a lot of devotion.
11:33It means to say that at times, you know, sometimes even our personal life may suffer.
11:38But at this point in time, we would like to acknowledge and appreciate the work that is being done by the police service and also members of the defense force regarding showing that level of force, showing that level of effort that has brought us to this position today.
11:54We are seeing the results, and we trust that it would continue, and we trust that members of the public would continue to give us the information that is necessary to convert intelligence to drive our operations.
12:06Yeah, that's certainly an encouraging sign. I mean, yesterday we had 90 firearms recovered, now 101.
12:12So over the last 24 hours, you know, it's really an encouraging sign to see that the police officers are out there conducting various operations, ensuring that they get these illicit firearms, drugs, and those persons who are responsible for these illicit activities, you know, behind bars.
12:29And of course, through the proper procedure, and so on, would obviously be taken to the courts.
12:35Yes, indeed.
12:36Alright, we're going to take a look now at our headlines.
12:39So those are some of the headlines within the last 24 hours, and of course we had a really sad story overnight, I'm sorry, on Wednesday night, yes, overnight.
13:06So, home invasion in the Moruga, St. Mary's Village area here, and the express team there, Suzanne Mohamed and Dexter Phillip down there, police officers on the scene there of a 64-year-old woman was killed at her home on Wednesday night.
13:22Her husband was beaten, and the discovery was made by one of their sons this morning.
13:28Yes, Pipet.
13:29Yes, so definitely a sad state of affair. We recognize that some of our senior citizens are being targeted.
13:38You know, we would ask anyone with information regarding this murder to please contact the nearest police station or the Homicide Region 3.
13:47You know, as a society, we need to frown upon these incidents, you know, at such a level that it impacts those who are intending on and those who may have perpetrated these type of crimes.
14:02You know, we would treat it from a policing perspective to seek to bring these persons to justice.
14:07But we would want to see that level of intensity on the ground, the community groups, the watch groups, those persons who, you know, are the advocates for the average man.
14:18We cannot continue to accept these sort of incidents, and for that reason, we will continue to call on persons to partner with us, partner with us so that we can, you know, give that necessary, give all that is necessary in order to treat with these issues.
14:34This is Drupati, and there was also another unfortunate incident involving a lady by the name of Wendy Thomas.
14:42She was shot sometime in January of this year at her home in Princess Town, and we later learned her name is Wendy Thomas, that she passed away sometime last night at the hospital.
14:56Apparently, the information is that she was in a gallery watering her plants, and January 27th, dare I believe, a gunman came into her gallery, shot her, and ran off, and of course, she was battling in hospital for about almost a month and passed away.
15:13So, unfortunate. I think that pushes the murder count to somewhere around 49 now.
15:18Yeah, and really sad. So, condolences to both families, and again, anyone with information, please contact the nearest police station or the Region 3 Homicide Department.
15:28And we just saw, there was a shooting last night, it was in the Longdenville area. Somebody by the name identified as Nathaniel Gittens was shot in the Longdenville area.
15:42I think he was shot by, I believe, his police. I don't know all the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but obviously, I know the police would have sent out a release about that.
15:53Yes, yes. And you know, as consistent with all these incidents, it will be investigated. First and foremost, condolences to the family of the deceased.
16:03We would continue to ask members of the public, please cooperate with law enforcement.
16:07And we would continue to ask our officers to, you know, if we are faced with imminent threats that would cause our lives to be in imminent danger, to take the necessary action, you know, be fearless, be forceful, but act within the confines of the law.
16:25So it's a balancing act, and you know, to lend that level of transparency towards family members, members of the public, and the rule of law, these investigations are conducted by First Division officers.
16:37There is oversight by the Police Complaints Authority, and we also have our internal Professional Standards Bureau.
16:43Alright, we're going to take a short break, and we'll be back. Stay with us.
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17:40VET Nation! Welcome to VET Nation.
17:44The fun, inclusive, good effect.
17:47Yo, Carnival Wednesday, it's your boy GBM Neutron, and we're heading to Fatima Growns for VET Nation.
17:55We feature GBM Neutron. Young brother.
17:59She said take it easy, I will do the work.
18:03Full blown entertainment.
18:04Fatima Growns, 26th of February, while you'll be outside.
18:07I mean, I'll do it good, stay with me.
18:09Jeddah! Charles! Marshall!
18:11Munchie! Garland!
18:12I'm coming, coming, coming.
18:16Gates open, 9pm. Walk with your cooler.
18:18Get your tickets at islandetickets.com.
18:21Check all the school pages for more info.
18:23VET Nation!
18:24Bucket on Wednesday!
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19:23Welcome back to Beyond the Tape, I'm your host Marc Bessan.
19:26Joined today by actor and ESP Ishmael Pitt of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
19:31Now, sometimes you see things in movies, right?
19:34Yes.
19:35And, you know, you see Satan's stunts, men do Satan's stunts, right?
19:39Yes.
19:40I want you to take a look at this video that was captured in the Karanaj area earlier today.
19:52Now, the thing is, he's on a truck, the truck is stationary at least, and he dives onto the hood of a maxi-taxi.
20:17There are two assailants apparently holding objects in their hand, and he's imploring the maxi-driver to drive, probably trying to evade these men.
20:25Yes.
20:26And as the video continues, of course, he jumps off the maxi-taxi when it stops, as you would see here.
20:32And a foot chase, he jumps onto another hood of a vehicle, and a foot chase.
20:39All in all, this is early mornings in Russia, where people are getting into work in the Western Peninsula.
20:52I did try to talk to a senior officer in Western Division.
20:55They didn't have any particular report about the incident, but surely these men were pursuing this individual for what, I don't know for what reason, but perhaps, you know.
21:07You could probably inquire.
21:09Well, like your good self, I don't have any information about it.
21:12I'm being guided by what I'm seeing, and I would say in the first instance, it's fortunate that the guy wasn't caught by these persons.
21:23I mean, we don't know what was the reason, if it is that he did something and they were pursuing him for that reason.
21:28But, you know, we need to be careful.
21:30We always speak about justice, and we speak about vigilante justice.
21:35Yes, we would ask members of the community to be watchful and to be guardians of the community.
21:42But we would ask you to do it within the confines of the law.
21:45Now, again, I'm being largely speculative because I don't know what transpired.
21:50So I will go general, and I would say, you know, be vigilant, not vigilante.
21:55If it is we observe someone who we know to have committed offenses, please contact the nearest police station.
22:01If it is that you have to take action, you have to use force, please ensure that the force you are using is reasonable and it is necessary under the circumstances.
22:11And, you know, incidentally, acting ESP Pitt, there have been a number of memes generated online since this incident this morning.
22:21You know, like, of course, the Mission Impossible with the Karanash protocol and so on, where they have the video of him.
22:28So, you know, Trinidadians are very innovative when it comes to memes.
22:31Yes.
22:32And this gentleman seems to have been making the wrongs already on social media.
22:38Yeah, well, yes, you know, we make light of very, very serious issues, and you are correct.
22:44It's a Trinbegonian thing, you know, and we tend to overlook sometimes the serious nature of some of these issues that we tend to trivialize and turn into memes for whatever entertainment reasons.
22:58Yeah, but that's just us as a people.
23:00It's something cultural, and we've got new state.
23:03But then there's always the serious side of things.
23:07And this individual, whoever he is, or whatever transpired, you know, we would ask those persons to make a report to the police station so that it can be investigated.
23:17Yes, most certainly.
23:18And on a serious note, we've been talking about road safety over the last few days, and nearly every other day we've been seeing two and three accidents across Trinidad and Tobago.
23:28And, of course, there was a road traffic accident the other day involving three vehicles.
23:33Yeah.
23:34You know, I think the image is, yes.
23:37So I can't recall where it was, but, you know, even during the day, you are supposed to be mindful, you know, of other motors using the roadway.
23:47And I guess from the images there, you can see that one hit the other, and the other probably hit the other.
23:55Yes.
23:56And, you know, when you're caught in the middle, it's problematic because then you are liable even if you did not hit the person in front.
24:06The person that hit you in the back that forces your car forward and it goes into the other car, you are also liable.
24:12You won't necessarily be liable.
24:14In some cases, you will have to pay something.
24:17Not necessarily.
24:18Really?
24:19I mean, and that's where the investigation would determine who is the person responsible for the accident.
24:24And, you know, the insurance companies will be guided by the findings of the police.
24:29So it doesn't mean to say that because your car is the vehicle that came into contact with another vehicle that you are automatically culpable if it is that in the first instance you were not responsible for what took place.
24:41Yes?
24:42Yeah.
24:43So, but it is unfortunate nonetheless if you are caught in between.
24:46That's why I said that because I know people who were in that circumstance in the past and they said that they ended up having to pay out of their pocket when they were not even home.
24:54Well, probably there were things that occurred, Mark, that probably they didn't tell you about.
25:00Maybe so.
25:01It's possible, right?
25:02It's possible that things they didn't tell you about.
25:05But, again, if we recognize, you know, the car lengths that we are to keep between cars when we are traversing the nation roadways.
25:16All these things to minimize and to mitigate, to create that space just in case something happens that we don't run into these situations where one car hits another car and then it hits another car.
25:32Accidents will happen, you know, but as a responsible society we would ask our drivers to please exercise due diligence at all times.
25:41Yes.
25:42And I know we had footage from yesterday morning on the Lady Yonge Road.
25:46I don't know if my producer could pull that up, but incidentally in that accident we learned that a 34-year-old woman was killed at around 4 a.m.
25:58She has been identified as Nikayla Ryan.
26:01That was an early morning accident along the Lady Yonge where apparently her Nissan Tida, she was driving north along and she collided head-on with another vehicle.
26:11Yes, this is it here.
26:13Unfortunately, Ms. Ryan died in that accident and we have been employing persons.
26:22This incident, apparently according to the TTPS, has pushed the number of road deaths this year up to 10.
26:28Wow.
26:29And that's a lot with just under two months gone in the year and unfortunately that somebody had to lose their life in this particular accident.
26:38But again, we have to employ people to be safe on the roadways and we are coming around Carnival.
26:45Yes.
26:51Of course, of course.
26:59Yeah, well, firstly, condolences to the family.
27:04Mark, we will always say that road safety is everybody's business and sometimes we leave it towards the drivers in order to do the right thing.
27:12But as pedestrians and onlookers, we also have a level of responsibility and we also have a level of say in that we can always communicate so that a necessary intervention takes place.
27:25We are within a period where there's so much of jollyficating taking place.
27:31Persons are going to party and sometimes we are taking our drinks and what have you.
27:39And with all that, you know, we might be leaving our place of work, going home, catching our fresh and then going to party.
27:46So the body will at times experience fatigue because we might leave the party till the next morning.
27:53And, you know, sometimes in that space there are so many things happening.
27:58So we need to be careful.
27:59We need to manage ourselves.
28:00And we always say, even if you have to drink, please don't drive.
28:05You know, have a designated driver.
28:07We, as an organization, will continue to have our presence felt where traffic management is concerned.
28:16And for that reason, the breathalyzer will be active both in and around environments where jollyfication is taking place, parties, carnival fests, however you may dub it.
28:29And we will also be putting persons in a position where they can have an understanding as to what is their alcohol levels by being able now to subject yourself to a breath analysis.
28:46Not for the purpose of prosecution, but just for the purpose of understanding what is your status.
28:52So we will be providing that level of service as well.
28:55And we will ask persons to please utilize it.
28:58Yes?
28:59Yes.
29:00All right.
29:01And as we talk about carnival, tonight at the St. James Amphitheater, 25 years of traditional mass, old-time competition, St. James Social and Cultural Committee, NCC Regional Carnival.
29:15Admission is free.
29:17So if anybody is interested in going down there later tonight, old-time competition starts at 7 p.m. sharp.
29:25So if you really want to go back and look at old-time mass and so on, no better place than the St. James Amphitheater at 7 p.m. tonight.
29:35After the break, we'll take your calls.
29:37Stay with us.
29:55Did you know that the Board of Engineering is the licensing authority that regulates the practice of engineering by registering engineers who meet recognized academic and professional standards?
30:07Yes.
30:08The BOETT maintains a list of licensed and registered professional engineers in Trinidad and Tobago.
30:16It is therefore important to ensure that your engineering professionals are registered with the Board of Engineering.
30:26A list of all engineers registered with the Board of Engineering can be found on the BOETT's website at boett.org.
30:36Registration ensures, A, that the public, employers and clients can have confidence and trust that your engineer has met recognized professional standards in his or her profession.
30:51B, that the credentials claimed by the engineer are actually held.
30:57C, that the engineer can be held accountable to the public, employers and clients for any unethical practices.
31:07D, that the engineer is obliged to demonstrate professional competency, objectivity and confidentiality.
31:16So visit our website today at boett.org and ensure that your engineering practitioner is registered.
31:47So I can get better quickly and fight again.
31:49Panadol release starts here.
31:51Trinidad and Tobago's Red Cross Children's Carnival 2025.
31:56Hey kids, parents, it's time for Red Cross Children's Carnival.
32:00Join us at Queen's Park Savannah on Saturday, February 22nd at 11am for a day full of fun, music and the most amazing costumes.
32:11There will be giveaways, cool surprises and tons of excitement just for you.
32:18And if you're at home, don't miss a moment, watch it all live on CCN TV6.
32:24The place to be is our Red Cross Children's Carnival.
32:27Come experience the euphoria of mass.
32:30See you there.
32:41Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
32:58I'm your host Mark Bassan, joined today by Acting ASP Ishmael Pitt of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
33:05And I think Acting ASP Pitt has a message to share with us.
33:10Yes.
33:12Don't drink and drive.
33:15Yeah, the message is clear.
33:16Yeah.
33:17Yeah.
33:18Don't drink and drive.
33:21Protect yourself.
33:22Protect yourself.
33:23Let's take a look.
33:28Hey, yo.
33:31Carnival Fest was the best.
33:34Hey, wake up, wake up, wake up.
33:37You just work hard and I just work harder.
33:41So we both deserve to take a drink.
33:43Yeah.
33:52Wait now.
33:54That's police.
33:55That's a roadblock.
33:57It's a Saturday night.
33:59Hey, ninja.
34:00Wake up, wake up.
34:01Sober, sober up, ninja.
34:02Wake up.
34:04Wake up.
34:08Good night.
34:09Good night, officer.
34:10Good night.
34:11Good night.
34:12Good night, sir.
34:13I'm a man called Bernard.
34:14I'm here on a patrol task force.
34:15Tonight we're doing a routine check.
34:16Please can you drive us to the insurance?
34:17Not a problem, ma'am.
34:18Not a problem.
34:19Sir, I'm detecting a strong scent of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.
34:21How much alcohol do you have to drink tonight?
34:23About one beer alone, officer.
34:25One beer alone.
34:26One beer?
34:27One beer alone, officer.
34:28Okay, I'm of the opinion that you're driving while under the influence of alcohol, right?
34:31Totally laughing your face.
34:33Hey, ma'am.
34:37So, Mr. John, as I said, I'm a woman called Bernard, right?
34:44I'm also a breath technician authorized by the Minister of National Security to conduct breath testing.
34:49Do you have any medical conditions or objections in taking this breath test?
34:52Ma'am, I have asthma and I suffer with asthma.
34:54Okay, that's okay.
34:55Asthma wouldn't prevent you from giving me a breath sample, right?
34:58Have you done a breath test before?
34:59Never did a breath test before.
35:00All right, so I'm going to demonstrate to you what I need you to do for me, right?
35:03I need you to take a deep breath in for me like this.
35:06You're going to hold that breath.
35:07You're going to form a C with your lips around your throat.
35:09And you're going to blow for me until I tell you to stop, right?
35:12Okay, let's give me a breath sample.
35:13This was an offense, right?
35:15Oh, okay.
35:16All right, so take a deep breath in for me.
35:19And blow.
35:20Blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow.
35:25Good.
35:26So the legal limit is 35 micrograms, right?
35:28So you have a reading here of 180 micrograms, right?
35:32So at this time, by law, you have two further tests of evidential nature.
35:36All right?
35:38So Mr. John, you will have failed the first two breath tests.
35:41And you failed the third one with a reading of 180 micrograms, right?
35:44So at this time, you're under arrest for the offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol, right?
35:50Do you wish to say anything?
35:51You're not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so.
35:53Whatever you say, we take it in writing and give it in evidence.
35:56You have a right to an attorney, any legal terms of your choice.
35:58You have a right to a phone call.
36:00And a right to pen and paper.
36:03Come to safety soon.
36:30Watch your head.
36:32Thanks.
36:43Three and a half times over the limit.
36:45Wow.
36:46Yes.
36:47So, based on his account, he drank one beer.
36:51Yeah?
36:52So the beer bottle probably had to be about that size.
36:54Yes?
36:55Have to be.
36:56But the devices are calibrated to the extent that they are able to unearth things that the average driver may not be willing to disclose.
37:06So the fact of the matter is, if you are over the legal limit, it will be detected.
37:13It's as simple as that.
37:14But the bigger message is that do not drink and drive.
37:19In fact, someone might see an arrest or being arrested as something that is bad, and largely it is.
37:27But the fact that the police was able to intervene may possibly have caused someone else to preserve their life.
37:37Understand what it is we are saying.
37:39Certainly.
37:40Alright?
37:41Remember, don't drink and drive.
37:42And of course, Ivan, please don't speed.
37:44And observe the speed limits.
37:46Alright?
37:47I think we have a call on the line.
37:48Caller, good evening.
37:50Hi, good evening, Mr. Bassant.
37:52And also good evening to Officer Fitz.
37:55Good evening, sir.
37:56Listen to the show.
37:57Listen to everything Officer Fitz would have said.
37:59And his words, it gives law-abiding citizens hope that, you know, solutions will come.
38:08Resolutions will come.
38:10And often we hear officers say that crime prevention is everyone's problem.
38:15Everyone's business.
38:17Everyone needs assistance in crime prevention.
38:19So as a law-abiding citizen, you know, the only concern that will come to your mind is that, you know,
38:28are all preventative measures being taken?
38:32An illustration that came to my mind is like when you fill out a form and it says, to the best of your knowledge,
38:38is everything accurate and you believe to the best.
38:42So that's just our hope, to the best.
38:45Because crime as an ongoing issue could cause a real deterrence in many ways in the quality of life that persons enjoy.
38:54Thanks to the best.
38:56Yes, sir.
38:57Thanks for the feedback.
38:58And he's absolutely correct.
39:00You know, we will always empower persons by providing whatever tips and recommendations, suggestions that we can.
39:10And, you know, crime prevention is everybody's business.
39:14So when you make yourself a harder target, it makes it more difficult for someone to make you a victim.
39:23And as a ripple effect now, it places your community in a position where it becomes a lot safer.
39:33So it's not just limited as some persons may think.
39:37So just the police action, the police activities, the police presence within our own domain.
39:42There are so many things that we could do, so many actions that we could take that could put us in a position of safety and security.
39:50It doesn't negate us from doing our job.
39:52We have a job to do and call us out if it is that we don't do our job and we don't do it to your expectation.
39:59But on the other hand, we are also asking that persons take up that level of responsibility.
40:03Most certainly.
40:04Citizen engagement is also important in assisting the police in doing their jobs.
40:11All right, we're going to take a short break and we'll be back.
40:13Stay with us.
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40:56White oak.
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40:59Don't drink and drive.
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42:55Welcome back to beyond the shape.
42:57I'm your host, Mark Bassan, joined today by Actinia SPH Mel Pitt of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
43:03I think we have a call on the line caller.
43:05Good evening.
43:06A pleasant good evening.
43:08Good evening.
43:09Two things I want to share.
43:10Good evening, ma'am.
43:11As it relates to the accident on the highway outside of Extra Foods yesterday morning.
43:17What really disturbed me is yesterday evening while watching social media where another TV show host was the one responsible in finding one of the legs of the persons that were injured.
43:39And you know what hurts me?
43:42The police officers as well as the fire officers who were on that scene should not have left.
43:52The ones who were escorting the injured to the hospital, no problem.
43:56But fire officers, inclusive of police officers, should not have left that scene until that other limb was found.
44:03That was very disgusting and disturbing to me that that limb was left in the bushes for hours until another citizen took it upon himself to go find it.
44:16Hats off to him.
44:17Another thing, Mr. Pitt, sir, please.
44:20You remember the guy who was found buried?
44:23Shush.
44:24Do you think it's his name?
44:26Yes.
44:27Right.
44:29This said host, the public have a lot of trust in him.
44:35The public has a lot of trust in him.
44:37And he himself has trust in some police officers.
44:43I, being a citizen of this country, know that that was interfering with a crime scene.
44:49Not that he deliberately did it.
44:52However, just to show, right?
44:54To me, my opinion, what should have happened was, once given the information, right?
45:02He should have contacted one of his trusted police officer friends and have them escort him together with the CSI and probably two bravediggers to dig up that body.
45:18To me, that was, and you know that too, Mr. Pitt, that was interfering with a crime scene.
45:24Not that anything will come out of it, you know.
45:26I don't think so.
45:27I really don't want anything because this individual really solved a lot of crimes.
45:33And members of the public, the grown-ups, really trust him more than the police.
45:38And that is very sad.
45:40I honestly believe that the police should work with this man.
45:46Put him in some sort of meeting.
45:48You all come to some sort of expectation, you know.
45:54If everything is sworn to secret, everything is to be kept, right?
45:58Within confines of what you all speak about, right?
46:01And I believe that you all should really, really work with this gentleman.
46:06Sometimes he goes off, but you all should really work with him.
46:09He does a lot.
46:10A lot, a lot.
46:11Right?
46:12As I said before, I'm really disturbed about that individual having to go back and find.
46:18And those police officers slash fire officers should be held culpable for what transpired there with this civilian.
46:27This citizen went to find that leg in the bushes.
46:30That's somebody's brother, somebody's child, somebody's father.
46:33Thank you very much.
46:35Thanks much, ma'am.
46:37Well, she's very passionate in what she's saying.
46:40Yes.
46:41Regarding the accident, I am not familiar with the circumstances.
46:46If I'm guided or to be guided by what she's saying, she felt that the officers, both fire officers and police officers,
46:54should have been a little more dedicated as it gives regard to finding the body part of the person who was injured in the accident.
47:06And, you know, ma'am, there's not much I can say where that is concerned.
47:13Just that we will continue to urge our officers to exercise that level of dedication and devotion that is required
47:20regarding the oath of office that we have taken.
47:23It is not by any means an easy job, but it's not one that we have to disregard our roles and function.
47:33At times, policing means that we have to go above and beyond the call.
47:37And, you know, if it is that someone was able to find that body part sometime after,
47:42it meant to say that it's possible that the police officers could have also done it.
47:47Regarding the body where the other person was able to find and from what she's saying, he tampered with the scene.
47:55Again, I'm not familiar with that incident, but I'm sometimes in our zeal to do things and to help.
48:01We may make mistakes, so I agree with you that probably in that regard, you know, some courtesies could be extended.
48:08But we will urge members of the public, if it is that you have information or if it is you're observing something
48:12and you know it to be as a result of a crime, before you enter into that domain,
48:16please communicate with police officers so that we could preserve whatever evidence is there.
48:21Most certainly. We have another call on the line. Caller, good evening.
48:26Caller, good evening.
48:29Yes, good evening. And very quickly, let me say first and foremost,
48:35I look forward to the day when the ASP is actually confirmed as a First Division officer
48:41because there's need for some kind of respectability to be brought back into that division.
48:45But my concern is, I saw a video this week of a police officer dragging a gentleman out of a trade union office
48:56on the Eastern Main Road in Lavontown. He was actually dragging him towards the Eastern Main Road along the driveway.
49:04Apparently, there were some incidents where the guy may have been told to get off the premises or whatever.
49:10But the policeman was actually dragging him out. And when the guy was resisting being dragged out,
49:16a female officer came up very suddenly and said to him,
49:21I'm not resisting, I'm not resisting. But I thought in my mind, this was a civil matter
49:32in which it might have been a case of trespassing if it was at the union office and they don't want him there.
49:38So I don't understand why the police officer, in my estimation, because he was not under arrest at the time,
49:46was committing an offense of assault by dragging the gentleman.
49:50And the video is there. It might have circulated already.
49:53And secondly, there was a video some months ago in which a pastor was seen with what appeared to be a police-issued,
50:03bulletproof vest on while speaking to this congregation.
50:07I am wondering, and you can guide me on this, whether civilians are allowed to wear bulletproof vests,
50:17whether it may be police-issued or not, when they are doing civilian responsibilities.
50:26But that was very strange to me to see this gentleman preaching to his congregation wearing a bulletproof vest.
50:35Maybe you can guide me on those two instances. Do have a most pleasant evening. Thank you.
50:39Thank you, sir. Right, so the first video that he spoke of, I haven't had sight of it,
50:49so it wouldn't be proper for me to comment. I can't really lend anything to what's happening.
50:55Well, I can tell you, we showed this video a couple of days ago.
50:58It doesn't look to me like he's dragging the man here.
51:01He asked the man, I don't know if there were excerpts before that, but he asked the individual to leave the premises,
51:08and when he didn't, I think he resisted. I don't see anybody being dragged there.
51:15I'm seeing somebody being escorted out.
51:17So this is the video he was referring to?
51:19Yes, and then the female officer speaks to the gentleman and says, you know, you're resisting arrest,
51:25and he says, I'm not resisting, but by you pushing your hand away, you're resisting arrest.
51:29In a sense, that's what the conversation was about.
51:32Later, which of course, then she proceeded to handcuff him.
51:36I don't know if there was any footage before that where the officer was allegedly dragging the individual,
51:42but from what I saw there, there was no dragging.
51:44I'm not trying to defend anybody, but just by the visuals alone, people tend to exaggerate at times,
51:49so we need to be mindful of that.
51:51Understood.
51:53To his second point, he spoke of persons using bulletproof vests,
51:58and Kola, we know that a statement was made regarding that.
52:04What I would say is, as police officers, based on our role and function,
52:11at times we may place ourselves in positions where our lives are threatened,
52:16and we may, as a result of that, take action, even beyond the working environment,
52:22to preserve our safety and security.
52:24So it's not a case of because we are at one point that we are no longer unsafe,
52:29and it's only when we reach back and work we are to utilize whatever activity or apparel in order to preserve our safety.
52:36So I trust that that answers your question.
52:40So let's look at it outside of the box,
52:43that anywhere, once you are under threat, it is possible that that threat could be carried out,
52:49and consequently, harm could be brought your way.
52:53All right, we're going to take a short break, and we'll be back. Stay with us.
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55:07Welcome back to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host, Mark Bassan,
55:09joined today by acting ASP Ishmael Pitt of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service,
55:13and I know he has a burning greeting to give to someone very special.
55:17Yes, definitely.
55:19So, Mark, over the years that this show has been on air,
55:22there are so many persons, thousands of persons throughout Trinidad and Tobago
55:26who view this program religiously Monday to Friday.
55:29And one of those persons is going to be 90 years on Sunday.
55:36So, Ms. Cynthia Ramlal, happy birthday in advance from the TTPS,
55:42from your family, the Kwashi family, the Ramlal family,
55:45and one of these days we trust that you will be able to tell us the secret to longevity.
55:51And she's from Tabakit, right?
55:53Tabakit, that is correct.
55:54Wow.
55:55An avid fan of Beyond the Tape.
55:57Yes, certainly, and we want to also extend our congratulations to reaching the big 9-0 come Sunday.
56:04Yes.
56:05And we want to wish you many more, of course, and as acting ASP Pitt said,
56:09you know, that's the secret of longevity.
56:11Yes.
56:12You know, because I don't know if it's what they were eating then that perhaps that we are not eating now.
56:18Possibly.
56:20All these things and exercise and so on is extremely important,
56:23but these older people, I should say, have a lot of really good secrets how to stay alive for a long period of time.
56:31For a long period of time, and I know a lot of persons would want to know that secret.
56:34Of course, of course.
56:36Yes.
56:37I don't know if you get the secret before me, Lebanon, or not.
56:41Definitely, definitely, definitely.
56:43And I will exchange the same for you.
56:47In parting, of course, we just have a couple of seconds.
56:49Anything you would like to remind the public of in 20 seconds?
56:54Well, definitely.
56:55Safety, generally speaking, road safety, specifically speaking.
56:59You know, Carnival, it's on us, and for that reason, we know that persons will be going out there,
57:04will be having a good time, but through it all, do not throw caution to the wind.
57:09Please.
57:10Short and sweet.
57:12Short and sweet.
57:13I just want to remind you guys, of course, to be very safe on your roadways.
57:16Wherever you're going tonight, next night, just please, over the weekend,
57:21and of course, if you're feeling to look at some Old Mass, you know, 7 o'clock at the St. James Amphitheatre,
57:28you can catch the Old Mass tradition there.
57:31It's free, of course.
57:32Bring the children down as well, and others, have a beverage and enjoy the traditional Old Mass.
57:39All right. Remember, repeat tonight at 11.30.
57:42We run tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
57:45The TV6 News is up next, so stay with us.
58:09.
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