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02:15Welcome to Beyond the Tape, it's Friday, I'm your host Marc Besson, welcome to our viewers across Trinidad and Tobago, and of course our viewers across the globe,
02:25and for our visitors who are still here, and perhaps maybe until tomorrow, or over the weekend, perhaps enjoying Champs in Concert, we hope you have a great time.
02:35And speaking of which, with us today is our Gold Commander for the 2025 Carnival Celebrations, ACP Richard Smith, welcome sir, how are you?
02:45I'm okay, thank you so much, and good evening to the viewing and listening public of Trinidad and Tobago, and congratulations to the winners of all those many,
02:55competitions over the Carnival season.
02:57Surely, and I know it was a pretty busy time, I guess, and I know today is, of course, it's the 69th of the state of, 68th of the state of emergency,
03:09and I know, you know, you would have been pretty busy, during the last couple of days, with, you know, with all the events,
03:17of the state of emergency, and I know, you know, you would have been pretty busy, during the last couple of days, with Carnival celebrations,
03:26just give us an idea of how hectic it was for you?
03:30Well, it has been hectic for the past few months, since Carnival was proclaimed in November 2024, we started our preparations,
03:38so meetings were held with the Divisional Commanders, but several meetings were held, we had several stakeholder meetings with the various stakeholders,
03:45as it relates to Carnival, and even as it relates to the divisions where Carnival takes place, we also met with the bandleaders, the NCC,
03:54we had several meetings with NCC, as it relates to security, for the many events that they had throughout Trinidad and Tobago,
04:01and it was very hectic, because, you know, I had to be there, my alternate goal commander, ACP Sudin, as well as ACP Henry from Northwest,
04:08who was there, along with the team, you know, we attended a lot of meetings, and had several, you know, we attended several of these competitions,
04:15and, you know, we were, you know, we had an intimate knowledge of it at this time, you know, and, you know, before, I wasn't really a fan of Panorama,
04:23because I was always involved in the security aspect of it, now being involved as goal commander, I was able to see the actual preparation going into Panorama,
04:31and all the other competitions, and getting a different appreciation for those competitions, you know,
04:36so I really have a lot of respect for the persons who are involved in these, the performers, you know, the masqueraders themselves,
04:43the bandleaders, all the preparation that takes place for, you know, preparing for Carnival, any year, it's a lot of preparation,
04:50and even for us TTPers, it's a lot of preparation, and sleepless nights as well, going to ensure that everything is in proper order for every event.
04:59Most definitely, and what was your Tuesday like, just give us an idea for you, I mean, were you south of Port of Spain, or even east, or were you based in Port of Spain,
05:10or what was it like for you?
05:11Well, Carnival Monday, just to give an account, Carnival Monday, we were out from as early as 1am, so we set our officers in positions where we call choke points,
05:20so these are the main arteries that enter, that enters into Port of Spain, and we have that in all divisions,
05:25so all the main arteries that enter into the division, we have officers placed there, so we can have a kind of filtration process,
05:30where persons come in and we check them for knives and other weapons, narcotics and all these things.
05:34Right.
05:35So we started with that, and then we had, the juve started promptly at 4am, and then we went into walkabouts to ensure that officers were at their points.
05:43And I'm seeing that some of the things that you all would have needed during those early security checks.
05:48Yes, exactly.
05:49Coming into Port of Spain, because you always find a lot of people with improvised weapons.
05:54Yes.
05:55You know, look at that, scissors.
05:56Scissors, ice picks, screwdrivers, Rambo knife, all these things we found with persons there.
06:01And if we didn't do that, these would have been additional weapons in the Carnival venue that could have caused harm to persons there.
06:07So this is an important exercise that we conduct every year.
06:10Yes.
06:11Because we need to weed out these things from persons coming into the Carnival venue.
06:14Then we went into some of the districts, right.
06:17We went into San Rafael, we went into Tuna Puna on Carnival Monday, and then Tuesday, well, I stayed around Port of Spain more or less.
06:25And, you know, I was involved in everything.
06:27Because we had to be there, I had to be there on the button, even when a truck ran off the roadway, just after leaving the stage.
06:34Right.
06:35We had to call RECA in time to ensure that that was clear and avoid traffic congestion and all these things.
06:39Well, the only thing you weren't involved in is playing mass in a band.
06:43Exactly.
06:44Yes.
06:45You know, so certainly, you know, I know it would have been hectic, but I think all in all, it was, you know, pretty much well managed by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
06:55Yes.
06:56You know, there were some incidents, of course, that you would not have been able to, in a sense, you know, detail or contain because, you know, there were isolated incidents in between.
07:07Yeah.
07:09Yes.
07:10On the Tuesday, and then the unfortunate stabbing later on in the evening of a young boxer.
07:15Yes.
07:16In San Gabriel.
07:17In San Gabriel.
07:18In 1030, which was really sad.
07:19Because as we talk about the improvised weapons that we saw there earlier, he was actually stabbed with a very, it's a big knife, about six or seven inches in length.
07:28Yes.
07:29Exactly.
07:30And you see, this is where we, you know, we really have to be mindful of what we do as it relates to carnival.
07:35People go there with an intention to cause harm to persons, you know.
07:39You know, while you said you would contain, we were able to contain after it happened because both persons were arrested soon after the incidents occurred.
07:48And that was the only thing that put a slight damper on the carnival celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago.
07:53Of all the divisions, we have ten divisions, but only two divisions reported any serious activities taking place.
08:00But as it relates to crime, however, Southern Division recorded the unfortunate death of Mr. Selwyn Little.
08:06Yes.
08:07With him being knocked down by the truck.
08:09You know, and it just goes to show that, you know, and I just want to say my condolences to him, to his family.
08:15And the thing is, it just goes to show that we must be mindful.
08:19When these trucks are moving, there could always be mechanical failure with any piece of equipment.
08:24And persons must be careful.
08:26I've seen persons whining close to the wheels in front of the trucks, hanging on to the trucks.
08:31And despite all the warnings we give them, even post-carnival and even during the course of carnival,
08:36we warn persons not to walk directly in front of the trucks because of these same things.
08:41There could always be mechanical failure with any equipment.
08:44We must be mindful of that.
08:46Exactly.
08:47I knew Mr. Little growing up in San Fernando.
08:50I used to see him a lot at a lot of cultural events because my father is one of those persons who is heavily involved with culture for over 50 years.
08:58Yes.
08:59So it really was sad to see that he died the way he did.
09:03I mean, he was enjoying what he did.
09:05Exactly.
09:06You know, holding a banner for a banner and so on.
09:09So it was really sad.
09:10It's sad.
09:11And as we talk about, you know, illicit weapons, there was also a bust in Tobago yesterday involving a person, a businessman.
09:22And we just want to take a look at this video.
09:42over $350,000 in Trinidad and Tobago currency and over $300 in cash.
09:49Cocaine, cannabis and other narcotics, ammunition and other items were seized.
09:55Two men are currently assisting the police with inquiries into the seizure.
10:00We would like to put the message out there that we intend to keep Tobago safe and we will continue to persevere in our fight against crime to keep Tobago clean, green, safe and serene.
10:10We would like to encourage the public to share information with the police and for us to continue to work together to keep Tobago safe.
10:19Excellent work.
10:21Yes.
10:22Excellent work.
10:23And you know, it's three kilograms of marijuana was seized, 256 grams of cocaine, 15 grams of ecstasy and meth.
10:31And this is a dangerous drug that people start using.
10:33Our meth reached Trinidad and Tobago already.
10:36So we had five grams of meth, but that is quite potent and dangerous.
10:39Even persons who, who manufacture in this meth lab, they are at risk too, because it can explode at any time if you make a wrong move inside there.
10:47Yeah, definitely.
10:48There was an incident where they had actually found a meth lab a couple months ago in South Trinidad and arrested a Chinese national for that.
10:56Yes.
10:57Because I think it was done with the, on the special branch.
11:00Special branch.
11:01That was while I was there in 2023.
11:03Yes.
11:04Yes.
11:05So, so surely, you know, that that's important, you know, that, you know, breaking on these drug networks.
11:10Exactly.
11:11And as you see that obviously will be added to the drug seizures as we speak up.
11:15Yes.
11:16As we go to the state of emergency figures, day 68.
11:25So you see all figures there.
11:27Number of operations thus far, 3,489.
11:31Priority offenders targeted 2,551 and we have conducted 23,938 searches.
11:38We have done 3,145 traffic operations and number of persons arrested thus far, 2,668.
11:47We have detected 12,091 traffic offenses and recovered 129 firearms thus far and 2,903 rounds of assorted ammunition.
11:58And those are the figures of the 323,391.8 grams of marijuana and 2,868.9 grams of cocaine and 73 grams of ecstasy.
12:12Thus far, we have, the Minister of National Security has signed 54 preventative detention orders.
12:22About 43 of them are currently in custody and the remainders are yet to be arrested.
12:27So we can, of course, issue these orders, have them as a warrant.
12:30So as soon as we arrest this person, they will in fact go to the detention center.
12:34And you're hopeful that, you know, in this period of time that we have these persons detained,
12:40that the police is going to be building a proper case so that we don't have a repeat perhaps of what occurred during the state of emergency in 2011.
12:49Exactly.
12:50Yes.
12:51So because we have provisions in place against that.
12:53So officers are in fact protected this time.
12:56Yes.
12:57All right. Let's take a look now at our headlines.
13:26So those are some of the headlines within the last 24 hours.
13:35And obviously last night, you know, there was, you know, two shootings.
13:41One, we understand, took place in the Lavant Hill area, corner of Monroe Post Road and Lavant Hill area.
13:50There, somebody was shot in the vehicle.
13:55Not stating if the person was identified or the person was shot and killed.
14:00As far as I understand, I don't have any other further details.
14:03Mr. Smith.
14:04Well, I know it occurred last night at that location, but I don't have the exact name of the person at this stage.
14:09Right.
14:10Yeah.
14:11Or the circumstances and the motive.
14:13Yes.
14:14Right. And of course, there was also a prison shooting captured in Foster Road.
14:19Yes.
14:20Last night around, I think it's 8.50 p.m.
14:24Yes.
14:25Involving a gentleman by the name of Duane Battle, the victim.
14:29Yes.
14:30Where the gunman, see, he would come out of this vehicle here.
14:34Dressed in an underwear.
14:36Yeah.
14:37And a jersey over his face.
14:38Yeah.
14:39Two of the victims were able to escape.
14:44The third, not so fortunate, Mr. Battle, 40 years of age, shot and killed.
14:50And then the gunman escapes in a waiting vehicle.
14:55I don't know, I know that Sangrigani area, we visited there a couple of months ago.
15:00And we know that this is another angle of the shooting here.
15:03Yes.
15:04You can see the gunman actually wearing an underwear with a jersey over his face.
15:09Shooting the individual at least three to four times close range.
15:13Man.
15:14Ensuring he's dead before he leaves.
15:15Yeah.
15:16And you see, it just goes to show the level, the values that people have now.
15:20Look at that.
15:21And you see, it's cowardice.
15:24If they had guns, he was not coming out there.
15:26But he ran up to these persons who were just linemen.
15:29And he just started shooting at them.
15:32It shows that these people have no value for life.
15:35They don't care.
15:36And you see, whenever police have interactions with them, we end up being the bad ones.
15:40But look at what he did.
15:41And no one would protest against that.
15:43He came out there in his boxers.
15:45It doesn't have much evidence to say they have a description of him.
15:48Otherwise, he would change his clothes and fit into the normal mainstream public.
15:52Soon after.
15:53And then we also had a shooting in the San Juan area.
15:58Also last, sometimes a day.
16:01This morning.
16:02Yes.
16:03This person was also.
16:05Once again, he was just eating.
16:07He was sitting, having his meal, breakfast.
16:10And the gunman ran up to him.
16:12Several bullets.
16:13Look at the back of that wall there.
16:14You're seeing several bullet holes there.
16:17And, of course, it's really unfortunate.
16:21I know in that San Juan area, there's a particular.
16:28I want to say gang leader.
16:30Somebody was saying that there's somebody pulling a lot of strings there in that grandy area.
16:35I don't know if you're familiar with.
16:37Yeah, but we have our gang unit up there.
16:39Our Eastern Division gang unit.
16:41They are currently investigating that.
16:44They are quite an excellent gang unit.
16:46They have been one of the units that have been, in fact, putting persons before the court for being gang members as well.
16:52So I'm certain that they are on top of this.
16:54And they will be bringing some information soon enough.
16:56So those shootings, of course, would have brought the number of murders for the year, according to, I was speaking to the officer.
17:0268.
17:0368.
17:04Comparatively to 100 last year.
17:06100 last year.
17:07And 112, 2023.
17:082023, yes.
17:09So we still, even though we cannot celebrate, we still have a 32% reduction in murders thus far.
17:17But it's nothing to celebrate because every murder, we wish we had none.
17:21Definitely.
17:22Because everyone, you know, it puts a, you know, makes us feel that, you know, we are not doing enough.
17:28Why we cannot rock back and say, yes, we have done it.
17:30We cannot.
17:31But every single day we put strategies in place.
17:34Every single day we have Divisional Commanders, you know, restructuring, tweaking whatever they are doing in order to make some sense of this.
17:42And, you know, we look at it.
17:45Giving us information.
17:47And we, too, do our own analysis so we can come up with different strategies to fight these crimes.
17:52But, you know, we always have persons being brazen like this because we cannot be omnipresent.
17:57Right?
17:58But we expect persons to be responsible.
18:00And we expect persons who believe that they may be a target to make themselves a hard target and not be liming out in the open like what we're seeing here.
18:09You understand?
18:11But at least they must make themselves harder targets.
18:13Definitely.
18:14All right.
18:15We're going to take a short break.
18:16And when we come back, we'll have more.
18:17Stay with us.
18:24Boy, all I can say to you, crime is a business.
18:30Crime is always a business.
18:32Like I said, they want fast money, fast cash.
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20:23♪♪♪
20:33Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
20:34I'm your host, Marcus, and I'm joined today by ACP Richard Smith, also former gold commander for the 2025 Carnival Celebrations.
20:42As we talk about Carnival Celebrations, you know, after Carnival Tuesday, everybody looks to flock to the beach.
20:49Exactly.
20:50And, of course, they're looking for the Koolung Lime.
20:53So we're going to take a look at a video here of the Koolung Lime near Maracas.
21:00♪♪♪
21:15Today we are conducting an exercise in the Santa Cruz area in the vicinity of the pillars.
21:24We are conducting this exercise as our efforts to combat crime and the scourge of crime continues.
21:33This is a joint exercise between the police, the licensing officers.
21:38We also have members of the immigration department present.
21:42And we are here to continue our quest to keep the roadways safe.
21:46Our efforts here are centered on weeding out the criminal elements who may try to infiltrate these peaceful, fun-filled ventures.
21:58The criminal element, they permeate society, and we must follow them to ensure that the TTPS continues to meet its mandate of public safety,
22:13making all the roads, or keeping all the roads in Trinidad and Tobago safe.
22:16Overall, we are here to continue to support our commissioner and the TTPS.
22:21Even though the Carnival period has been tough on our officers, we are still here to protect and serve with pride
22:27and to continue to assure persons that they can come out and celebrate because we are trying to make the country safe.
22:33Our mounted officers always create excitement wherever we go.
22:38As you know, persons, civilians are more willing to engage mounted officers or officers who are handling animals like the dogs as well.
22:46Our canine team, they are also with us.
22:48They are more likely to engage us, and that builds a level of trust and confidence.
22:53So we like to come to these events to show persons that we are here in different forms and different capacities.
23:01We have officers who are incognito and in full uniform so that we can continue to give that safety and security so that they can enjoy their events and their occasions.
23:12The Northeastern Division, we are here, the leadership team.
23:15We are at the Maracas Beach. We have about 900 persons gathered.
23:20We have about 75 police officers on active duty out on patrol.
23:25The Carnival 2025 was very peaceful in the Northeastern Division, and the beach here now, persons are enjoying themselves.
23:32Mr. Birch, Mr. Cullen, and Mr. Martin, myself, we have supervised the event from 6 o'clock this morning to present and continue.
23:40It will end tonight at 9 o'clock.
23:43Additionally, I must mention that the licensing, the ERP, IATF, NOTF, the GEB, Coastal and Marine Unit,
23:53we have had support from officers throughout.
23:56The intelligence agencies have assisted us in making this event a safe one.
24:23[♪upbeat music playing♪
24:39Well, ACP Smith, that certainly is coverage 24 all around that area.
24:44Yes, exactly.
24:45I mean, they had virtually every unit I could conceivably think about involving that operation there.
24:51Yes, and you see that we prepared for this evening our carnival planning, right,
24:55because we know we have cool down in different areas of Trinidad and Tobago.
24:59We know Maracas is one of the major locations that people go for cool down.
25:03We had Cora as well, so North Central Division under Senior Superintendent Pierre,
25:08had his persons in position, licensing officers, traffic wardens, municipal police as well.
25:13So, you know, I just want to commend Senior Superintendent Edwards and his team for the operation yesterday.
25:19It was well executed.
25:21It was more police and people, you could say, senior among the police officers there.
25:25And that was the trend that we tried to create throughout the carnival celebrations.
25:30If persons were taking, you know, keen interest in what was taking place,
25:34you would have seen police officers in Cora, you know, almost at every corner in that route,
25:38as well as other areas out of the route.
25:41We had police officers in all the locations that we normally have them.
25:44We were out in numbers.
25:46We were there, our guarding emergency branch, you would see them, you know,
25:49moving in a long line, right, in formation, to just send the message that,
25:54okay, we are here, we are ensuring that there is safety as you celebrate the carnival.
25:59And, you know, we had all the different units as well, special branch,
26:02all our intelligence units outside there assisting the traffic officers,
26:06the officers who were placing points at the barriers.
26:08You know, these are the officers we must commend for the hard work that was done over this carnival period.
26:13And that's the, you know, the rewards that we have had except for these two mishaps that took place.
26:18But, you know, all in all, Carnival 2025 was, in fact, a success.
26:21And it's up to the public to see that and see what they really think about it.
26:26I just don't know why people would spend three hours in traffic to get to the beach sometimes.
26:30Now, that is outside of the roadblocks, because sometimes you don't have a roadblock
26:35where people going to Marrakesh will spend three hours together
26:39and then be there for an hour and a half and then have to leave.
26:42You remember what you're saying, I went to Marrakesh after.
26:45I was in Marrakesh after for the cool down.
26:47Whether you spend one hour, one minute or ten hours, you were in Marrakesh.
26:51And some people will endure that for the lime while they go in there,
26:54they would stop and buy stuff and take their drink and all these things,
26:57hoping that they didn't drink and drive.
26:59Obviously not.
27:00But the fact is, because it's hilly, there's a lot of dangerous cliffs there,
27:03so you must be careful when you're going up to Marrakesh and those areas.
27:06But, you know, all in all, you know, it's just to enjoy yourself
27:09and just have the cool down after this hectic carnival.
27:11And, you know, I always admire these persons who play mass, these masqueraders.
27:15When I checked that route, it was 9.1 kilometers.
27:199.1 kilometers you walk.
27:21And I asked them to walk that on a normal basis.
27:24They have to take about two taxis, you know, to make that route.
27:28Well, I did check my steps Monday and Tuesday.
27:31I did 40,000 steps.
27:34So I understand the kilometers.
27:37Well, I probably made 400,000 steps.
27:40You made a lot, too.
27:41Because I had a lot.
27:42I was out directing traffic as well, Queens, back west.
27:44I made an arrest of a suspect who snatched some phones.
27:48We arrested him down in the vicinity of Queens Royal College in the back there.
27:52Right.
27:53Myself and my driver.
27:54So I was out and about.
27:55Indeed.
27:56Just doing it.
27:57You need to get one of those watches.
27:59All right, we're going to take a short break, and we'll be back.
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29:47Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
29:48I'm your host, Mark Bassan,
29:49today with ACP Richard Smith
29:51of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
29:53and the Gold Commander for the 2025 Carnival.
29:55As we continue our series, Voice of the People,
29:58we talk to persons in the Port of Spain area.
30:01Let's take a look.
30:06♪♪♪
30:11♪♪♪
30:16♪♪♪
30:19Mr. Bravo, what are your thoughts
30:21about the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago?
30:23The crime of Trinidad and Tobago,
30:25to my opinion, when I first came back here,
30:27it was beautiful, but now it's sad.
30:31It's sad to say this
30:33because the youths,
30:36they're not being disciplined.
30:39It's out of control.
30:41I wish all of us could do something more about it.
30:44Besides, everybody keeps saying the government,
30:47government, government,
30:48but even the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,
30:51the police force, the fire service,
30:54everybody who enter to the system,
30:58you know, because everybody could
31:00help and handle, handle hands, sorry.
31:03You're a man on the ground,
31:04and obviously you interact with people
31:06from all walks of life.
31:09What would be one of your suggestions
31:11to make it better?
31:13Make it better?
31:15I have a lot of ideas.
31:17All right, I'll give you,
31:19I'll give you a couple.
31:21When I was in the U.S.,
31:23there's this program called
31:24Big Brother, Big Sister Brotherhood,
31:27and I think with all the celebrities,
31:29even the social media influencers
31:31like the soccer artists,
31:33the chutney artists, the cricketers,
31:35the footballers, they're all called the soccer,
31:39even the police officers, firefighters, soldiers.
31:43If we just go to, you know, to the community,
31:46let's talk to the youth.
31:48They just need to, they just need help.
31:50They need to listen
31:51because they only live by day by day.
31:54They live by, I mean, I'm being real.
31:57They don't care if they die,
31:59and we was never brought up like that.
32:01We brought up of caring people,
32:03helping people, assist people,
32:05you know what I mean?
32:07So time has changed.
32:09Time has changed.
32:11Do you feel safe at your home
32:14when you go to work,
32:16when you do business,
32:18when you're just casually liming
32:20as an individual?
32:22I want to tell you, be honest with you,
32:25yes, I do.
32:26I feel safe because I know what I'm about.
32:29But the rest of the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,
32:33I don't think they're not
32:35because you got to watch your back 360 degrees.
32:38You got to keep watching your back,
32:40left, right, center, behind you.
32:42So yes, I feel safe in my frame,
32:48my order, you know what I mean?
32:50Because I know how to move,
32:52how to maneuver, how to navigate.
32:55What are some of the things that you do
32:57to safeguard yourself
32:59when you're moving around
33:01and going into different communities
33:03or going to different places to work?
33:07It depends on the artist.
33:09When them dance artists come to Trinidad,
33:11that's the first thing they want to go.
33:13V-Town, St. Paul, C-Los.
33:17Because remember, they've never been there.
33:19They hear a lot of things about it,
33:21so they usually request me.
33:23I guide them there.
33:25Of course, I make some calls
33:27to make sure everything is smooth, safe.
33:29Fun point.
33:32Do you think there's a connection
33:34between crime and poverty?
33:40Boy, all I've got to say to you,
33:44crime is a business.
33:46Crime is always a business.
33:49Poverty will always be the same,
33:55but it could be uplifted,
33:57if you understand where I'm coming from.
33:59But crime is a business.
34:01It's a business all over the world,
34:03especially in Trinidad and Tobago.
34:07Why do you think people want to become criminals
34:09here in this country?
34:12I can't really say. I can't think for them.
34:14Because, like I said,
34:16they want fast money, fast cash.
34:20But I don't tolerate
34:22taking advantage and killing people.
34:24I don't tolerate that.
34:27What would you want to say to young men
34:30who want to gravitate towards that kind of life?
34:35I would love to say to the youth of tomorrow,
34:38trust me, there's still hope.
34:40Just finish your education, finish school.
34:43There's a lot of free courses
34:45that the government has.
34:47You can take a chance, learn more.
34:51If you want to be a police officer,
34:54or even a bodyguard, or even an army man,
34:57a fireman, go for it.
34:59Go for it.
35:01You know what I mean?
35:02You could be even an IT tech.
35:04You got to go to school for that.
35:06You could be anything you want to be.
35:08You just got to be determined and be focused.
35:10That's all I want to say.
35:11Please, let's just save our country.
35:14Because I love my country.
35:16Trinidad and Tobago is our country.
35:19If you see something, would you say something?
35:23I go by a code.
35:25Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
35:28That's been my code all my life.
35:30I stick with that code.
35:35ACP Smith, your thoughts?
35:38Well, he made some sense in a lot of ways.
35:43The question was asked if there's a relationship
35:46between crime and poverty.
35:48And I don't think so.
35:50I think people choose their life of crime.
35:52Some people say they were forced into it.
35:53You still have a choice.
35:55You have a choice to say,
35:56no, I'm not doing that.
35:57I'm going to work hard.
35:58There are so many things that people could do
36:00to make a living.
36:01So to say because I'm poor, I should go and rob persons
36:03who you don't know how they came by their items,
36:05how they came by their wealth or whatever it is.
36:08Why don't you work and gain yours?
36:11There are a lot of things to do.
36:12People could start off from even having a brush cutter.
36:15Go and borrow some money by a brush cutter.
36:17Or even start off by trimming people's plants.
36:19But even the clippers do something.
36:21But they tend to want to go and just take
36:23whatever they want from persons.
36:25There are some persons who even get contracts.
36:27And they use the money that they get from contracts
36:29to buy firearms, to buy drugs,
36:31and continue trying to make more money from that.
36:34The thing is, when they do that,
36:36they have young persons who they try to keep
36:38at a certain level to work for them
36:40while they make all the money.
36:41These young guys, they send them as their minions
36:43to do whatever they want them to do.
36:45So this is where it's so rotten
36:47because the persons who are actually making this money,
36:50using these young guys and turning them into criminals,
36:53but they too have a choice.
36:54They could say, no, I'm not doing it.
36:56They can come to some police officer
36:58and tell them what is taking place.
37:00But then people will say, I trust the police too.
37:02And they choose to do what they want to do
37:04and continue the life of crime.
37:05There must be one person you can trust.
37:07There are senior officers in every single division.
37:09You could go and speak to them under law
37:12and let them know what is taking place.
37:14But some people choose not to do that
37:15because they follow the masses and say,
37:17I don't trust the police.
37:18But not everybody is the same thing.
37:20Not all police officers are corrupt.
37:22And in every organization, there are corrupted persons.
37:25And people could say what?
37:26The entire TTPS is not corrupt.
37:29Right.
37:30And I guess you're saying that
37:32they should not use poverty as an excuse.
37:34No way.
37:35No way.
37:36No way.
37:37And you don't use poverty to be unsanitary to it.
37:41Because I've gone to some places.
37:43And not because you're poor,
37:44you will have your place in a mess.
37:46You have your children living in school and all these things.
37:48Why should you?
37:49Because you're poor?
37:50Cut a bush broom and sweep your place.
37:52Make up your bed.
37:53Clean your house.
37:54And not because you're poor
37:55or you don't have the means like everybody else.
37:58You will have your place in a mess too.
38:00So there's no excuse for these things.
38:02Because you can find ways, innovative ways,
38:05to make money and even keep yourselves clean and sanitary.
38:08All right.
38:09Well said.
38:10All right.
38:11We're going to take a short break.
38:12And we'll be back with more.
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40:42Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
40:43I'm your host Marc Besson here with ACP Richard Smith,
40:46Gold Commander for the 2025 Carnival.
40:49Just concluded celebrations.
40:51And of course, we just want to listen in on some persons who visited
40:55for the Carnival celebrations and what they had to say about their safety
40:59and security and the Trinidad and Tobago police service.
41:02Let's take a listen.
41:03So good night.
41:04My name is Giselle Charles, Doctoral Officer 1.
41:06I must say I was impressed with the police presence.
41:09I was here until close to midnight last night.
41:12The police were consistently up and down.
41:14You saw the many different checkpoints.
41:16And I must say job well done to the CTPS.
41:18We even had police presence all around, even yesterday.
41:22Like I was parked right across the road and the police was right there.
41:25So I'm very impressed with the police.
41:27Thank you that you had such a strong compliment this year.
41:29And keep it up.
41:30All the best to the CTPS.
41:32Well, I thank the police.
41:34They did a very well job.
41:36They had no fights in town when I stay in town.
41:40No kind of back and forth.
41:42Everything was safe and serene.
41:44And the tourists loved it.
41:46They just enjoyed themselves.
41:48Well, me, I'm going right in.
41:50Now, don't prepare yourself for the morning.
42:01We have a good time in Tobago.
42:032035.
42:04Happy.
42:05And the police presence is good.
42:07Right?
42:08Yes.
42:09We should be safe next year.
42:112036.
42:12Happy for that.
42:14Very safe, this caravan in Tobago.
42:18Everything is so smooth.
42:20Loving.
42:21Everybody is so kind.
42:23Everybody seems so cooperative with one another.
42:26Beautifully.
42:28It was cool.
42:29It was nice.
42:30Good experience.
42:31First time.
42:33Entertaining.
42:34Fun.
42:35Enjoyment.
42:36We had a good time.
42:37And she came out with us.
42:38And she enjoyed her first night.
42:40I felt very safe.
42:41Yes, we felt very, very safe.
42:42Yes.
42:43So we enjoyed it.
42:45Bye.
42:47It really fills me with a sense of pride, you know,
42:49seeing that visitors, both in Trinidad and Tobago,
42:52and some locals in between there,
42:54would speak so highly of not just the festival,
42:57but of the police presence and how they felt very safe.
43:00Yes.
43:01And I see this year, you know, we all sat together
43:04and we planned this to the last, you know, detail,
43:07so that even if something happens,
43:10we would be in a position to respond promptly.
43:12And, you know, thanks to the ACP,
43:14Subaru in Tobago, and Senior Superintendent Eli,
43:18and to all the others in Trinidad here,
43:20you know, I must recognize Subaru and Eli
43:23because they are on a separate island.
43:25Right.
43:26And we worked together hand in hand
43:28as it relates to Carnival 2025.
43:30And it's really refreshing to hear the comments
43:32from these, you know, the locals as well as the foreigners.
43:35And the thing is,
43:36while persons complain about the crime in Trinidad,
43:38we still had, I think it's three boats,
43:41cruise ships that came in to Trinidad and Tobago.
43:45They also went to Tobago afterwards
43:47to enjoy Carnival celebration.
43:49Despite what the SRE in place in Trinidad
43:54during this period,
43:55they still chose to come here and enjoy themselves.
43:57And we are hearing from them, you know,
43:59the true effects of our security arrangements
44:01for Carnival 2025.
44:02People still play in Tobago.
44:04Yeah.
44:05Looking at some images here,
44:06really had a good time.
44:07Yes.
44:08You know, they had officers there on the ground.
44:11On the ground, yes.
44:12Looking over the Jubilee festivities.
44:15Senior Superintendent Eli, Inspector Barkas.
44:17And you know, the thing is,
44:18I went to Tobago for Panorama.
44:20Right.
44:21The medium band finals.
44:23And it was an excellent experience.
44:26Our security arrangements were second to none.
44:29Officers were on time.
44:30They were there.
44:31They were at all the locations.
44:32And it went smoothly.
44:34We had about 2,500 persons attending that.
44:36And I know it will grow from year to year.
44:39It will, in fact, grow.
44:40And, you know, we would, in fact,
44:41have the security arrangements necessary for those events.
44:44And, you know, just to add,
44:46we had over 100 pre-Carnival events.
44:49Yes.
44:51Over 100 pre-Carnival events.
44:52And all of them, there were no incidents,
44:56no serious incidents occurring.
44:57Certainly, it takes a lot of planning.
45:01Exactly.
45:02A lot of work to manage so many people
45:07in a small space or a limited space
45:10or in a moving space over an area.
45:14You know, sometimes because, you know,
45:16as you said, there will be more people than officers.
45:19Exactly.
45:20But at the same time,
45:21you will have to keep that vigilance up.
45:24And I know at times it can be challenging.
45:27Exactly.
45:28That's the reason we have, you know,
45:29assistance from the various agencies,
45:31Defense Force, Traffic Wards, Municipal Police,
45:34Transit Police, Prudential Arsenal.
45:36All these officers assisted immensely.
45:38And, you know, just even looking at Sandy Grande,
45:42we had almost 12,000 persons there.
45:44Yes, yes.
45:45In Sandy Grande.
45:46That little area there from the police station
45:48just up the road there.
45:50Over 12,000 persons in that area there.
45:53And officers of the Eastern Division
45:55under the leadership of Senior Superintendent Papunet
45:58had to manage that.
45:59You know, but all that we took into consideration
46:01in our deployment of our officers.
46:03Were there any specific challenges
46:05that any of the divisional commanders
46:09would have articulated to you all
46:12after your meeting post-carnival?
46:16I'm not talking just in terms of crime, you know.
46:19In terms of logistics of managing crowds.
46:21Yes.
46:22And other things that might have
46:24hindered the ability to function maximum.
46:28Nothing.
46:29You see, we still have to do our post-mortem.
46:31We are receiving those reports Monday.
46:33Right.
46:34But on this initial level,
46:36there was nothing that our divisional commanders
46:38could not have handled.
46:40We went to Northern North Division
46:41where San Rafael District is where they have carnival as well.
46:44And Senior Superintendent Maynard Wilson,
46:46woman Senior Superintendent Maynard Wilson,
46:48she was on top of her game.
46:50She had even the residential patrols
46:53done by the security companies together with police.
46:55So joint patrols with them.
46:56She had soldiers on the ground.
46:58She had her PSU team.
47:00That's the GB personnel on the ground.
47:02Right.
47:03She had her justice on time bus waiting on the site
47:06in case people play the fool.
47:07It was there waiting to put them inside
47:10and to spend some time.
47:11Yes.
47:12So they would get a free ride if they play the fool.
47:14Fortunately, it was empty.
47:16I would say fortunately it was empty
47:17because everybody realized she was on top of her game
47:21and everything went well in San Rafael.
47:23So you know, these are some of the things
47:25that the divisional commanders do.
47:27So to say that we have anything specific,
47:29they are able to handle anything.
47:31All right.
47:32We just want to remind you of the numbers to call.
47:34623-1711.
47:37Extensions 1996 and 1997.
47:40You might have a question or two
47:42before we end the program for ACP Smith.
47:44He's here to answer any questions,
47:46carnival or other related.
47:49And I know you're probably very tired
47:52because you would have spent several sleepless nights.
47:56Yes.
47:57What was that like for you and some of the officers?
48:00I know some people will be asking for time off and so on.
48:03Well, you know, for me, it's abnormal
48:06because I'm always out on the ground, you know,
48:09and it's 37 years I've been doing this.
48:11And coincidentally, today is my 37th anniversary
48:14as a police officer.
48:15Congratulations.
48:16I just want to say, you know, congratulations
48:18and happy anniversary to my batches.
48:21Tomorrow we'll be having a little line, right?
48:24But, you know, I do this every year.
48:27Some of the officers, you know, they went the distance,
48:30a lot of them, in fact, from the various units,
48:33the Guard and Emergency Branch, the ITF, the task forces,
48:36the officers on the ground, you know,
48:38commendation to every single person
48:40who came out for Carnival 2025.
48:42I know how grueling it could be
48:44because sometimes you have to remain on the ground
48:46for relief to come because, you know,
48:47there would be traffic congestion as well.
48:49And the officers stood there,
48:50they didn't leave their posts at all,
48:52and they remained until.
48:53So, you know, this is some of the activities there.
48:57Yep, out at the Soka Droom there,
48:59you have, you know, several officers.
49:01You just saw some images prior to that,
49:04you know, in the Savannah.
49:06Yes.
49:07You know, looking at, I guess, too,
49:10I know that you also had strict,
49:14looking at some of these music trucks
49:17that were also being looked at.
49:19I'm seeing Mr. Veronique here.
49:21I haven't seen him in uniform in quite a while.
49:23Everybody was out in full kit.
49:25Yes, yes.
49:26So, I know definitely that would have been an area of concern
49:30after that incident on the Monday
49:32that the police were very sharp
49:35to look at these vehicles
49:37and make sure that they were licensed properly
49:39for the right reason
49:41and had the right license to be in those vans.
49:44Exactly.
49:45And, well, there was an incident Saturday,
49:46as a matter of fact,
49:47during the kiddies' carnival
49:48where a truck was, it went,
49:50it contravened the height.
49:52Yes.
49:53Right?
49:54So, that was pulled off
49:55because it pulled on an electrical wire.
49:57So, we had to pull it off the route.
49:59And then on, between carnival Monday and Tuesday,
50:02we pulled off four trucks off the route as well
50:05for contravening the stipulations of licensing authority.
50:08I did with this one
50:09where they actually were measuring height.
50:11Yes, yes.
50:12So, that's really interesting.
50:14Some of them who could not,
50:16who had fixed structures there,
50:17we had to pull them off.
50:19Others, if there were boxes,
50:20we flipped the boxes on the side
50:22for them to flip it and allow them to continue.
50:24It was not something that we relished doing,
50:27but we had to do it
50:28for the safety and security of the persons.
50:30And coincidentally,
50:33in Port Aspen alone,
50:34we wrecked 280 vehicles,
50:36which we warned persons not to park on the route.
50:40They persisted.
50:41We had to wreck this vehicle.
50:43All right.
50:44We're going to take a short break.
50:45And when we get back, we'll have more.
50:47Stay with us.
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52:13This is Mary.
52:15Mary has bills to pay
52:17and takes a chance parking in front of the building
52:20at the no parking sign.
52:22Mary returns to her car
52:24and this is what happens.
52:33Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away
52:36to let her daughter know that she is close by.
52:39But Mary forgot one thing.
52:48After two tickets,
52:50Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.
52:55You have to pay 15 kilometers.
52:58You have to pay 15 kilometers to test.
53:09Don't be like Mary.
53:11Obey the laws of the road.
53:13A message from the TTPS.
53:25Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
53:27I'm your host, Mark Bessant,
53:29joined today by ACP Richard Smith,
53:31the co-commander for the just-concluded
53:342025 Carnival Celebrations.
53:36And I just want to remind you of the numbers.
53:38You call 623-1711,
53:40extensions 1996 and 1997.
53:43As we conclude,
53:45I know we're talking about wrecking
53:47and I know you said 280 odd vehicles wrecked
53:51and that's Monday, Tuesday?
53:52Yes.
53:53Wow.
53:54Yes.
53:55So, you know, and we were over the weeks,
53:57over the months,
53:58we have been speaking on all the social media platform,
54:01even our media briefing about restrictions,
54:03about parking on the routes,
54:05about the fact that we would be passing with our records
54:07because we warned persons in advance,
54:09do not park on the routes.
54:10We knew that people would go from Sunday night
54:12and park their vehicles,
54:13thinking that they would be in place
54:15for Carnival Celebrations.
54:16But then when you park your vehicles
54:18and these trucks have to pass,
54:19these costumes have to pass,
54:21it's obstructing.
54:22So, we warned persons
54:24and yet still we had so many vehicles to wreck.
54:27Fortunately, in Southern Division,
54:29they only wrecked eight vehicles
54:31and this wasn't something that we were in competition with,
54:33but they only had eight vehicles.
54:36Persons were more compliant in Southern Division
54:38because they didn't park on the route.
54:41So, we had only eight vehicles being wrecked there.
54:44You see, the irony of it is that
54:46they will observe a lot of things on social media
54:50and the TTPS is also active on social media.
54:53I remember seeing that ad and so on
54:56within about a week and a half of the celebrations
54:59and I was cognizant of it.
55:00So, I don't understand how 280 odd people,
55:04I'm sure a lot of them are always on social media,
55:07didn't see that or even read it in the newspaper.
55:10There would have been a notice as well
55:12that we all have published.
55:14Yes, the restrictions were published.
55:15In the daily newspapers.
55:16Exactly.
55:18And I think I recall seeing it as well in the newspaper.
55:20So, it was very unfortunate,
55:22but everybody had to do it on $500.
55:24And then we had our WhatsApp channel
55:25that we established through corporate communications.
55:27Yes, I recall.
55:28I just want to commend corporate communications
55:30for all the work they have been doing over the years
55:32and even for this Carnival 2025.
55:34They were of great assistance to me
55:36in getting the information out as gold commander
55:39for Carnival 2025.
55:40And even on Carnival Monday and Tuesday,
55:42I was lazing with Ms. Archie, Joanne Archie
55:46and sharing information with her.
55:47She was posting it on his WhatsApp channel,
55:49which was in fact published to the nation.
55:52And yet still, we have persons who are breaching
55:54those instructions and these restrictions.
55:57I guess you just need to be a little more mindful.
55:59Exactly.
56:00You have so many different channels of communication
56:04where you can actually,
56:05if you miss it in the newspaper,
56:07you can see it on your WhatsApp
56:09or you could see it on social media,
56:11Instagram, even Facebook.
56:13You all are active there and so on.
56:15Yes.
56:16I'm not trying to do any plugs for you guys,
56:18but as a citizen as well,
56:20you have to be cognizant of these things,
56:22especially when you have a big celebration like Carnival
56:26and they're telling you that
56:27these streets are going to be blocked off.
56:29You can't park here.
56:30You can't park there.
56:31Yes.
56:32So it's really important going forward in 2026
56:35that we hope that nobody will be wrecked
56:38and have to pay $500.
56:39We are hoping that they will comply this time.
56:41We will be out in full force in the early as well,
56:44advertising and sharing information
56:46as it relates to all these restrictions.
56:48And just as we close,
56:50what's your take away from being the gold commander
56:54and what you think you all would like to achieve in 2026,
57:00especially as we talk about the Carnival celebrations?
57:03Yes.
57:04Being gold commander was an exciting experience.
57:07It was a challenge that I accepted gracefully.
57:09I always like these challenges
57:10and I think we didn't do bad at all.
57:13We achieved most of the objectives.
57:15Even though these incidents happened,
57:17both murders happened,
57:18we were in a position because of strategic deployment
57:21of these officers to capture these persons
57:23within a few minutes after,
57:24a few moments after I would say.
57:26And they are currently in custody.
57:27We are approaching DPP with one by tomorrow
57:30as well as the other one probably the day after.
57:32So they would be charged for the offenses soon enough.
57:35We learned from this that we learned a lot
57:40from the agencies and the stakeholders
57:41that we, in fact, I did from the different stakeholders
57:44that I had to relate with during preparation for Carnival 2025.
57:48I forged a lot of alliances with these persons.
57:51I know it wouldn't be this, what I should say,
57:54a short-term alliance.
57:55It is in fact a long-term alliance.
57:57I just want to thank everybody for assisting me in this venture.
58:00All right, Sidney and we really are thankful
58:04that you took that position of gold commander
58:07and we wish you well going forward
58:08as well as all your other officers for their hard work
58:11and their dedication for 2025 Carnival celebrations.
58:15And I'm sure there will be the same effort going forward
58:18into this year and next year.
58:21Remember we run tonight at 1130.
58:24We'll be back on Monday.
58:26The TV6 News is up next.
58:28Stay with us.
58:38♪♪
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