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00:00Welcome to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host Mark Bassan. Welcome to our viewers across Trinidad and Tobago and of course our global viewers.
00:16Today is Thursday and of course in a couple days time we have the Point Forte Borrowed Way Celebrations.
00:22And with us today is Acting ASP Joel Forbes of the Southwestern Division of course to give us a little insight to some of the preparations that the police have put in place for the Borrow Day Celebrations of this year.
00:34Welcome.
00:35Yes, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to be able to speak to the nation and talk to them about all our arrangements to ensure that we'll have a safe and wonderful Borrow Celebration 2025.
00:45It's the 45th at least, right?
00:47Yes, I know and yes, I went a couple times and I know it's a pretty well attended event and it's getting a lot of popularity outside of Carnival that is.
00:58It's one of those things that a lot of people look forward to.
01:00You have people coming in from outside of Trinidad and Tobago as well to enjoy the festivities and I think one of the important things would be obviously rivalry in a safe environment.
01:14Correct, correct, rivalry in a safe environment. I love the team. Now we have focused heavily on ensuring that that happens. We have put a number of places. We have invested a lot in terms of time, in terms of talking to stakeholders, law enforcement.
01:28We have reached out to internal stakeholders. We have brought on board other partners, other divisions, other units, the IETF, the GB, the other divisional gang units.
01:37We're bringing them into that space to make sure that space is sanitized. No kind of issues or anything should be occurring at all during that period in time.
01:46We want to make sure that and why are we here? We don't want to over-police this space. We want to make sure that persons come and have a good time.
01:52We don't want it to have more police than it have revelers, right? But we want to create and get people in that space and have a good time.
01:59Yes, certainly. I know there have been isolated incidents in the past that people have raised concerns about during the juvie celebrations and so on.
02:07Correct.
02:08But what has the police been able to do differently over the last couple of years to try and stymie that violence in any form or fashion?
02:14Well, one of the main tools we have found to be very valuable, and it's a simple tool, we have been able to get the buy-in from the legislature and we have been able to get the bottle mandate,
02:24which we find it reduces the incident, you know, the better the butter pelting, those kind of fracas that you would tend to have with a prison pelting, bottle and that kind of thing.
02:33You minimize that very much.
02:34So, and that mandate has been, we have been able to obtain it in this instance, right?
02:40So, that coupled with other measures that we put in place, that the GB, presence of the GB with the heavily armed, the rioted kit, the PSU teams,
02:50we have been able to put these teams in place, put certain elements in place, so persons know that if they run a foul, off, they're off.
02:58We take them out at play and we deal with them according to the law.
03:01You talk about that bottle mandate, I think that was something that you also tried to, to also enforce during the carnival celebrations you just went.
03:09Yes, yes, yes, it did.
03:10And it did, it did go good because I think what is, what is paramount of it is the cooperation from the citizenry.
03:16Now, it may seem like a heavy-handed approach, but it is, what we have been able to get is buy-in from the, the, the, the general public.
03:24Because if you come upon the office and say, give them opportunity, empty a bottle, put it in a plastic bottle.
03:28Put the liquor probably in a one-liter bottle or something, or some people actually come prepared with it.
03:33When you open a cooler, you see they have their stuff, they have liquor put away.
03:37They wouldn't have their arm.
03:38And they're very cooperative because everybody recognizes that it's not just for, it's not a police, it's for their safety.
03:44So they will buy-in to it.
03:45But very rarely we ever find anybody that is combative or wouldn't, wouldn't participate in the process at all.
03:51You understand?
03:52But it is good, it is for us, because that same bottle could be a weapon.
03:56It could be a missile.
03:58Right?
03:58So we, it is a, it is a very effective tool.
04:01And we have found that during the carnival period, as part of teams that would have perused the crowds.
04:06And it was very, it was well-received.
04:08Persons were very receptive.
04:09And when you come upon somebody and tell them, hey, ease up, they usually hand over the bottle or they, they are willing to transfer it into something plastic, as the case may be.
04:17Yeah, yeah, most definitely.
04:19And, of course, over the next couple of, over the next hour, sorry, we will obviously be delving a little more into the Point 14 celebrations.
04:27And last but not least, of course, just a couple minutes ago, we had the swearing of our Prime Minister, Kamala Passat, Bicessa, at the President's House.
04:39Of course, you know, hundreds of persons outside of the President's House, they are showing their support for the newly elected Prime Minister for Trinidad and Tobago.
04:51And, of course, newly elected as well, the Attorney General, Mr. John Jeremy, of course, no stranger to the political arena.
05:00Second time around, the Attorney General, similarly to Prime Minister Kamala Passat, Bicessa, sorry, second time around, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Forbes.
05:15Yes, it's a monumental moment.
05:18Second time around, and it's an interesting, it's an interesting turn of events.
05:21Again, we see a change in the administration and we look forward, we are the police are looking forward to whatever changes are there, we are willing and we are able.
05:31Most certainly, and, of course, you know, we talk about female might and, you see, the President, the Prime Minister and even the opposition leader now are all leading women, leading that charge into politics, leading that charge across the nation.
05:47And, of course, we have to be very proud of these women who take the forefront and are standing for the best of Trinidad and Tobago.
05:55Correct, correct. Woman power, I gather.
05:57Indeed.
05:58Yes, please.
05:58Indeed.
05:59All right, we're going to take a look now at our headlines.
06:01We'll see you next time.
06:31So, those are some of the headlines within the last 24 hours.
06:38And, of course, you know, unfortunately, yes, before we had a drive-by shooting in the Laventail area yesterday at Partially Street.
06:47I think we have some footage of the victim there.
06:51It happened around 5.30 yesterday.
06:55The victim has been identified as Javon McBean, shot and killed at William Street in the Laventail area, of course.
07:05The murder count now moving to approximately 128.
07:10It's certainly very unfortunate.
07:11Yes, of course.
07:12I mean, any life, any loss of life, it's always a heart-rendering thing.
07:17You know, someone's brother, someone's father, breadwinner.
07:20So, he now is, you know, he's lost and we have to move on.
07:24But I gather that the elements out there, they're not, we have to do something about this thing.
07:32It's becoming a bit of heinous.
07:35I'm continuing to populate the media and the headlines and that sort of thing.
07:41Senseless killing of individuals.
07:42But we are the police, we are doing all in all power.
07:46All in all power to go after these individuals.
07:49I've actively been in a number of investigations.
07:51A lot of resources are put into these investigations to ensure that you have a good outcome, no matter what.
07:55Yes, certainly.
07:56And, of course, you know, gun violence.
07:58Correct.
07:58You know, as the police continue their battle against getting these illegal firearms off the streets of Trinidad and Toledo.
08:05You know, because if you look at the homicide figures for last year and even this year, the majority is by the gun.
08:14Correct, correct, correct.
08:15The firearm is by predominantly the weapon of choice, right?
08:18And even more troubling is that the type of firearms.
08:22Because we see the AI platform, the assault rifle, the heavier weapons are being used.
08:27Even some of the simplest things, robbery, a little thing, you find the criminal element going towards that.
08:33And I know for a fact that we have measures in place of getting information from members of the public.
08:39I know we have a reward program whereby persons could bring in firearms, and they are specific amongst certain types of weapons.
08:47Handguns have a certain sum, shotguns have a certain sum, and rifles have a certain sum.
08:51That's by 555 system.
08:53So you could pass that information anonymously to persons out there, to the police, and get a reward for getting that gun.
09:00And that gun that could come at you, come at your family.
09:03Because when a criminal element, now, law enforcement, as a law enforcement officer, I am exposed to training.
09:09When I have my firearm, I am not going to point it in any direction unlawfully and discharge it so it will cause harm to anybody.
09:16Yes.
09:16Not intentionally.
09:17That criminal element, that person out there, when he fires a shot with a heavy weapon,
09:21that heavy weapon could penetrate a wall, a galvanize, it goes anywhere.
09:25And he indiscriminately points that weapon.
09:28So when you act on that information, and you give the police that information, and pass that information, get your reward, yes,
09:34but you're saving yourself and keeping your community safe.
09:37And taking it away from that lawless individual who continues to make the democracy.
09:41Most definitely.
09:42Most definitely.
09:43On a lighter note, of course, we just wanted to go back to the Point Forty Day celebrations upcoming, of course.
09:48And I know that, if you just walk us through, we have some footage of the military period that took place a couple days ago here.
09:56Certainly, as we begin to mark this auspicious celebration in the border of Point Forty.
10:05Again, it's the 45th anniversary.
10:07It's a series of events.
10:08This is one part of it.
10:10There's a joint parade with all unarmed and armed elements.
10:14We see the air guard, we see members of the defense force in the colors, members of the Trinidad, the bigger police service,
10:21and some unarmed civilian elements and young people.
10:24The streets were lined with a number of persons.
10:27Now, simple as you see this event.
10:29This event took a lot of planning.
10:30Yes.
10:30I would have attended several meetings.
10:32And that goes out to the defense force and the personnel that were responsible for this planning at this operation.
10:37This was a defense force-led operation in terms of the planning and execution.
10:42There was a dry run, and this is the culmination of it.
10:46You could see the officers in their full regalia and the members of the public lining the road and taking part of it.
10:52And again, it's just a part of it.
10:54Yes.
10:54There's a series of events over a period of time.
10:57And it just doesn't end with that.
10:58So one of the culminative, one of the main events that we look forward to every year is the juve, right?
11:06So tomorrow, not tomorrow, on Saturday the 3rd, we'll have the juve.
11:11We'll have some other events.
11:12There will be a number of private satellite events around that event.
11:16And the police will be there in full force, similar to what we've seen here.
11:21Train, well-prepared, and equipped to respond to any situation that comes forward.
11:25Yes, certainly.
11:27As I said, it's always a lead-up to the ending of the festivities with the juve.
11:32Correct.
11:32But the week before, I know in many years back, you would have the Point Forte Queen pageants and so on.
11:40Yes, yes, yes.
11:41And a number of other cultural activities to showcase the talents of some of the locals and the boroughs there.
11:48You know, from singing to African drumming to steel pan, et cetera, are really a juice.
11:54Because, you know, we also have a lot of sports personnel that came from the Point Forte area, very talented in football and other areas as well.
12:03Correct, correct.
12:03Yeah, Point Forte is a hub.
12:05Yes.
12:05It's a hub.
12:06Not only the hub for economy, economic growth and all that kind of, because there's the oil belt, a lot of heavy industry, and that sort of thing is in that area.
12:14But the culture is diverse, right?
12:17You see a lot of diversity in the culture.
12:20I don't know if you would catch it, but you would see some of those same beauty queens, some of those same members of the Patriot, who are part of the parade as well in a number of small vintage sports cars.
12:31Oh, nice.
12:32Well, we hopefully will see that before the show is over.
12:37Good to go.
12:38But, again, it's all one big show, and we're trying to maintain our safety.
12:45We partnered with a number of stakeholders, the mass, the promoters, the band leaders, the everybody.
12:53Everybody.
12:54Fire everybody.
12:55It was a big, old stakeholder meeting, and everybody got our input to put in there, and then the plan will come out of that whole thing.
13:01So everybody was able to give their perspective, and we were able to put our plan in place from that perspective, put it together, and work on it.
13:08And we have a very good product.
13:09We want to wait.
13:12We can't wait to display it and bring it out there for everybody to see what's going on.
13:15Well, truly a remarkable achievement, no doubt, ASP Forbes.
13:18But I want to ask you, just before we go to the break in a couple of minutes, what message do you have for persons coming into Point Forte when we talk about safety and security?
13:29And what message do you want to put out there for those that are intent on disrupting celebrations?
13:35Well, of course.
13:37We are law enforcement.
13:38We have deployed every possible unit that we could think about.
13:43We have divisional gang units, divisional task forces coming from other divisions.
13:47So the reason we bring them, those units will be able to identify persons that are coming from other areas and coming into the space and willing to create a problem.
13:57We will deploy warrant officers as well.
14:00So persons, if they're coming into that space and we detect you, you go on with our warrant.
14:04So the whole point of the exercise is we put all these other units in there to create the maximum amount of coverage that we could get.
14:13And it just doesn't start with the juve.
14:15As we speak now, we have a heightened presence in the area.
14:19We have other operations going on, homegrown operations from within the Southwestern Division, all task force, all gang units.
14:27And from tomorrow, we will have other units joining us and we will be pushing that, pushing that, driving and sanitizing that space and suppressing any possible outcome of anybody trying to do anything going forward.
14:38Again, it's not that we want to over-police this space.
14:42Yes.
14:43Once you're coming there and you're law-abiding and you're abiding, you're doing all the way you have to do, you don't have to worry about anything.
14:47You just keep your head straight.
14:48Those who come in to give trouble, those are the persons that have to worry.
14:51Those are off-lookers.
14:52What's the number you expect during Saturday and the Sunday?
14:57Over 10,000 persons.
14:58Over 10,000 persons.
15:00And usually you will have from juve, you will have other activities in juve, down into juve.
15:06Of course.
15:06Of course.
15:06We have a number of other events during the morning period.
15:12We have the afternoon period.
15:14We have traditional mass.
15:16And then in the afternoon, we have a pan, which attracts a much more mature crop.
15:21Pan and the move.
15:21Yeah, pan and the move.
15:22Pan and the move correctly.
15:23So all of these events.
15:25And then besides that, we have other satellite events, other private events.
15:30Bedrock, Good Morning Neighbor.
15:33All these other events that will transpire are wrong at the same time.
15:37So all of these events will be well-subscribed.
15:40And the police will also be there as well.
15:44All right.
15:44So we're going to be talking a lot more about Point 4 today.
15:47Celebrations.
15:48And of course, take your calls after this break.
15:51Stay with us.
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17:43Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
17:46I'm your host, Mark Bussand, joined today by acting ASP Joel Forbes of the Southwestern Division.
17:52And we're talking about the Point Forte Borrow Day celebrations due, of course, this weekend.
17:59And for those of you heading down there, of course, ASP Forbes will have a couple of, you
18:04know, you'll have some information for you so that you don't get stuck or blocked in specific
18:10areas trying to get into Point Forte.
18:12Yeah.
18:13Well, of course, like any other public event, there will be restrictions.
18:17And we have a number of considerations with Point Forte, Point Forte being a mini industrial
18:22space surrounded by some major industrial complexes.
18:26So all of those things were considered in terms of how we were able to set up emergency routes
18:31as well as allow them to conduct their business in case any situation and be able to allow the
18:37public to enter the space, have a good time, and minimize any congestions on plenty of
18:42roads on that.
18:43So one of the main things we did, we will have restrictions from 6 p.m. on Friday the
18:492nd to 6 p.m. on Sunday, 4th of May, 2020, 2025.
18:54The vehicle traffic will be restricted along the Guapo Captiville Main Road between Bryce
19:00Road and Richardson Street.
19:03Another restriction will be Tanner Street between Bryce Road and Point Forte Main Road.
19:08Another restriction will be Point Forte Main Road between Reed Road and Tanner Street.
19:13Now, all of these are designed that we prevent that congestion in the vehicle.
19:19So that in case of any eventuality, because there's a fire station in the Tisha area, we
19:23want to be able to respond to any emergencies, both at the event and surrounding areas as well.
19:29So all of these things were considered.
19:31So the restrictions were designed in such a way that it will prevent anything from going
19:35wrong in that space in terms of persons parking indiscriminately and causing that congestion
19:40that will hamper any kind of response to any situation.
19:43Now, besides the restrictions and that sort of thing and the prohibition of parking, there
19:48are other restrictions in terms of Bryce Street, Tanner Street, Reed Street, the Point Forte Main
19:54Road between Dunlop Roundabout and Refining Road.
19:56All of these spaces are prohibited parking there, but they're not limited to those places.
20:01Because we have a number of places.
20:03So, for instance, the 2nd Street between 1st Street and Eastern Avenue, there's a prohibited
20:08space as well.
20:09And I must say, for other persons that find themselves at the fall, at the law, the wrecker
20:15will be in force.
20:16Right?
20:16And we'll be wrecking persons, wrecking vehicles, and those vehicles will be taken to the Point
20:20Forte and Borrow Stockyard.
20:22Right?
20:22And where you will have to pay the appropriate fee to release your vehicle.
20:25So, with persons knowing that you're not a park in these areas, they will know that
20:30they'll be wrecked.
20:32But before we even get to that, officers will be there.
20:36If you're in doubt and you don't want to park and you feel that you will be parking
20:39and running a fall, it will be imperative of you to ask the officers.
20:43We'll have officers at key checkpoints.
20:45Right.
20:45So, you could ask an officer, hey, can I park there?
20:48Should I stay here?
20:50Right?
20:50And the officer will guide the process and try to tell you what's going on as the case.
20:53The officers will be briefed accordingly.
20:55They'll have full knowledge of the space and they'll be able to advise you where you
20:58could park and where you could find park.
21:00What I will advise persons to do, there'll be a number of persons.
21:03A lot of entrepreneurs that may be in the area that may have a little private car park,
21:07you pay a little sum and you could make use of that.
21:10It's rather you pay $25 than you pay $500 to release it.
21:13Well, I also imagine that for those who are attending specific events that are coming
21:18from far, of course, they will probably be coming in maxi-taxis.
21:22Of course.
21:22So, which would mean that they will be dropped off at the location.
21:27Maybe they have to walk some distance to get to where they're going, the juvie, whatever.
21:31And then at a specific time, the maxi-taxis will meet them at an allocated spot and pick
21:36their mark up to go to their respective areas across Trinidad and Tobago.
21:40And as you're on that topic, another concern we may have, we know that a person will be
21:46consuming alcohol in this space.
21:48So, one of the things I want to be very critical about, now, persons will be coming from the
21:51north, coming into a new space.
21:53The highway has opened up.
21:55So, I don't want persons to figure that they're going to be able to drive drunk while in that
21:59space.
21:59We'll have a lot of enforcement focusing on that type of behavior to negate that kind
22:04of behavior.
22:04So, going forward, persons, we advise that persons, if you're coming to that space, use
22:09the shuttle service, use that designated driver, pick up your partner who don't drink, and
22:14get them to come along because we will not be tolerating it.
22:17Right?
22:17You talk about traffic restrictions here.
22:19And comparison to last year, was the traffic enforcement on restrictions observed last year
22:28in terms of, you know, were there a lot of people that ran afoul of it and got parking
22:34tickets, et cetera, et cetera.
22:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
22:36Well, of course, there will always be the person that will not abide by the rules set
22:39up.
22:40You'll always have that person that will always do that.
22:42And enforcement, again, is not a pleasant thing.
22:44You have to do it.
22:45You come to have a good time, but you may have to think.
22:47So, last year, there would have been some, I don't have the figures here, but we would
22:52have been able to do some level of enforcement at that point.
22:55Now, remember, last year, we would not have had as much of the highway open as now.
23:00Yes.
23:01So, the highways are another little phenomenon.
23:04It's a new dynamic in this mix.
23:05A new dynamic into the space.
23:07Yes.
23:07So, I guess, coming forward, we have to be a little bit harsh to make sure.
23:11Because a person seen that road, all that road, they tell us if they could open on the
23:14wheel a little bit.
23:15Right?
23:16And then open on the wheel with the alcohol in the brain, it's a no-no.
23:20Right?
23:20So, we're looking at that intentively.
23:22We have the highway patrol that we're patrolling now.
23:24We have the whole space from Dunlap, Rangnabout, all the way up to Oropoach, Rangnabout.
23:31Right?
23:32Making sure that persons are well in order and behave themselves correctly.
23:37I think you've sent that message loud and clear, of course, that you all, as motorists, responsible
23:45persons going down to the point for today's celebrations, obviously.
23:49If you're traveling or driving, rather, as ASP Forbes pointed out, you should definitely
23:55get a designated driver to drop you.
23:58If he's not steering, of course, and pick you back up.
24:01And if he's not, if he's part of the team, of course, make sure he does not consume any
24:06kind of alcohol.
24:07I should also say, Mark, we have a relocation of a number of the taxi stands as well.
24:11Okay.
24:12So, I think that is something critical.
24:13If you're pushing that, if you want to get out, you need to get to know where the taxis
24:16are at least.
24:17So, we have a couple of the taxis, San Fernando Taxi Stand.
24:21The lay-by on the eastern side of the Point 14 Main Road, approximately 500 meters north
24:27of the Frisco Roundabout.
24:29Again, officers will be present.
24:30They will be able to direct here accordingly.
24:32They will have knowledge, and they will be able to point you in that direction.
24:34Also, the Seedress and Aireen Taxi Stand, the car park of the Point 14 Roman Catholic Church
24:40on the eastern side of the Grappocamptyville Road, in the vicinity of Grappocamptyville Road
24:46and Reed Road intersection.
24:49All right.
24:49All right.
24:49I think we have a caller on the line.
24:51Caller, good evening.
24:53Yes, good evening.
24:55Good evening, caller.
24:56Go ahead.
24:56You're live.
24:57Yes, Mr. Bassant and officer.
25:00I see a next teenager is breaking.
25:03Oh, God.
25:04It is your heart breaking.
25:07And when you find them, you know, all this time, you find them dead.
25:12I don't know why they are not behaving themselves.
25:15As a mother, I feel so sad.
25:18All right.
25:22All right.
25:24Caller, unfortunately, I don't think...
25:27It was a bit muffled.
25:27Yes, I think, yes.
25:28Before I absorb myself, I could have really made out everything that you said.
25:31So if, when you're calling back, if you couldn't lower the volume or wherever you were, there was a little bit of background noise.
25:38So we really could not hear you properly.
25:41The question that you are asking or the suggestion or complaint you were making, rather.
25:46Yeah.
25:46Yeah.
25:46So, definitely, as we have just about a minute before we go to break, yes, before, is there anything in particular you would want to, you know, message you would like to relate to those coming into point?
25:59Yeah, it's going to be a total.
26:01We're not going to over-police this piece.
26:03I know persons may be fearful that they will see more police than they see patrons.
26:07We have good participation from the stakeholders in terms of bands, in terms of music trucks, in terms of all the participants in the whole process, the vendors, everybody.
26:15We are just there, we will be there presenting and projecting ourselves only when we need to project ourselves, right?
26:22The plan is well organized.
26:26You just come and have a good time.
26:27Once you come to have a good time, you will enjoy yourself.
26:31Anybody who runs a foul at that, that, you will feel the brunt of the law.
26:36You will be locked up, right?
26:38So, that is just it.
26:39Just come and have a good time.
26:41Just make sure you all behave yourselves and have a good time, good teen fun, of course.
26:45At the Point Forte Borrow Day celebrations, the 45th anniversary.
26:50We're going to take a short break and we'll be back with your calls and much more.
26:53Stay with us.
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28:40Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
28:55I'm your host, Mark Besson.
28:57Joined today by Acting ASP, Joel Forbes from the Southwestern Division.
29:00As we talk about Point Forte, Borrow Day Celebrations, we want to carry you to this segment, Protect Yourself.
29:10Hey, yo, our carnival fat was our best.
29:18Hey, wake up, wake up, wake up.
29:20You does work hard and I does work harder.
29:24So we both deserve to take our drink.
29:27Yeah.
29:35Wait now.
29:37That's police.
29:38That's a roadblock.
29:40That's a roadie night.
29:42Hey, ninja.
29:43Wake up, wake up.
29:44Sova.
29:45Sova up, ninja.
29:46Wake up.
29:47Wake up.
29:50Good night, good night, officer.
29:52Good night, good night.
29:53Good night, sir.
29:54I'm among proper dinner for my high patrol task force.
29:56Tonight we're doing a routine check.
29:57Could you say driver's motor insurance, please?
29:59Nothing problem, ma'am.
30:00Nothing problem.
30:01Sir, I'm detecting a strong scent of alcohol eliminated from my vehicle.
30:04How much alcohol are you to drink tonight?
30:05About one beer alone, officer.
30:08One beer alone.
30:09One beer?
30:09One beer alone, man.
30:10Okay, I'm of the opinion that you drive him while I'm in the influence of alcohol, right?
30:14Go to the left of me, please.
30:16Hey, ma'am.
30:16So, Mr. John, as I said, I'm moving for proper dinner, right?
30:27I'm also a breath technician, authorized by the Minister of National Security to conduct
30:31breath testing.
30:31Do you have any medical conditions, subjections, and taking this breath test?
30:35Ma'am, I have asthma.
30:36No, I suffered asthma.
30:37Okay, that's okay.
30:38Asthma wouldn't prevent you from giving me a breath sample, right?
30:41Ever did a breath test before?
30:42Never did a breath test before.
30:44All right, so I'm going to demonstrate to you what I need to do for me, right?
30:46I need to take a deep breath in for me like this.
30:49You're going to hold that breath.
30:50You're going to come and see with the lips around the straw, and you're going to blow
30:53for me until I tell it to stop, right?
30:54Okay, let's give me a breath sample.
30:56It's also no offense, right?
30:58Oh, okay.
30:59All right.
30:59So, take a deep breath in for me, and blow.
31:03Blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow,
31:07blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, blow, good.
31:09So, the legal limit is 35 micrograms, right?
31:11So, you have a reading here of 180 micrograms, right?
31:15So, at this time, by law, you have two further tests of every natural nature, all right?
31:21So, Mr. John, he will do the first two breath tests, and he
31:24clearly turned one with a reading of 180 micrograms, right?
31:28So, at this time, you're under arrest for the offense of driving, driving while under
31:32the influence of alcohol, all right?
31:33Do you wish to say anything?
31:34You're not obliged to say anything unless you wish to do so.
31:36Whatever you say, we take it in writing and give it in evidence.
31:39You have a writer-attorney, any legal comes of your choice.
31:42You have a writer-phone call, and a writer-pen and paper.
31:45Constable, he's.
31:46Come this way, please, sir.
31:47Hey, hey, hey, what are you, officer?
31:49Watch your head.
32:13Well, all it takes is one time, you know, to be over that limit.
32:28Correct, correct, correct.
32:29And I think this is something that those that are heading to point for, they should take
32:33it off.
32:33You should take careful note of, careful note of, because any situation, anybody taking
32:38that chance, everybody looking to try to beat the alcohol, try to beat the police, they
32:42will find themselves in that situation.
32:44And you will recognize that he said he drank one beer, and the machine could tell you differently.
32:50So persons out there, I want to make sure that you understand that this is the scenario
32:54you are facing with, immediate arrest before the court, and the weekend, spoiler weekend,
32:59done with, for that matter.
33:01So I want persons to understand, coming into that space, designate a driver before, if you
33:07feel you can, because officers will be vigilant, looking out for these kind of instances.
33:12So do not, do not take that chance.
33:14Please don't take that chance.
33:16And you have available to you, if you feel you need to rest, you could come to the nearest
33:20station, the Point 14 Compound, the Point 14 Police Station Compound is available.
33:25You could park there and rest up if you need to.
33:28We will be, they will be provided at some of these events.
33:30Some of these events will have some of these sober, sober tents, where you can give you
33:34a coffee, give you a little chance to get yourself together.
33:36And, but still, you have to get yourself totally sober.
33:41So you still wouldn't, not because you're a thing, you may still have that alcohol in
33:44your system.
33:45So you have to be very cognizant of that.
33:47Because if you find yourself on the road, you wouldn't have much of an option in terms
33:50of dealing with you.
33:51Because that person, when he goes out there and drives, he not only puts his life at
33:54risk, he puts the life of other persons at risk.
33:57Because he's inebriated, he cannot, he cannot function on that road, he cannot control that
34:02vehicle, he's barreling a hundred miles an hour with a vehicle, a thousand, over a thousand
34:07pounds.
34:08Hit another vehicle, he will cause harm.
34:11Yes.
34:11Right?
34:11So it's something very serious.
34:13And one of the police service managers, it's not a mandate that we broadcast as much
34:20as reducing those type of fatalities.
34:22And these type of measures are designed to mitigate and to reduce the opportunity for these
34:27things happening.
34:28Right?
34:28Because we look at it as a very serious thing.
34:30Because most of the times you find these drivers, they take that chance.
34:33They may live.
34:34And they may kill two, three other persons innocently who did not take that chance like
34:38they did.
34:39Who didn't sign up for that chance.
34:41Yes.
34:41Surely.
34:41So the message here is, appoint a designated driver if you're going to the point for the
34:47borrower celebrations or for any other kind of party or line this weekend, next weekend,
34:53and any of the long weekends coming up.
34:55Correct.
34:55Right?
34:55Correct.
34:55That's the best thing to do.
34:56Yeah.
34:57Yeah.
34:57Yeah.
34:57All right.
34:58Road safety.
34:59Indeed.
35:00So we have the images of two young ladies at the Children's Authorities asking persons
35:06to assist in locating.
35:08The first is Emily Williams.
35:1117 years, last seen in the Maloney area.
35:14And anyone with information regarding her whereabouts has been asked to contact the authorities
35:19at 996 or the police at 999.
35:23And, of course, the second is also another young lady, Aaliyah Ali, age 15, last seen in the
35:31Mova area.
35:33Anyone with information, again, is asked to contact the authority, Children's Authority,
35:37that is, at 996 or the police at 999.
35:42And also they could use the 555 system, they could also use the 555 system and pass the information
35:48anonymously.
35:49Right?
35:50Because any information that could lead to finding these young women will be very important to us.
35:55Right?
35:56Yes, certainly.
35:56You know, we always tend to get a lot of those kinds of police notices of young ladies that
36:02go missing for one, two, three, four days sometimes.
36:05And then, you know, sometimes you don't find any, we find out that they are found and sometimes
36:10we don't know what the circumstances are.
36:13But it is important that parents also play an important role in ensuring the welfare of
36:19their child.
36:20Correct, correct.
36:20But I think we live in a society now that the parents grow their children, but there are
36:25other influences that affect them as well.
36:27Persons groom these young women and they may lure them away from a situation and they feel,
36:31they may feel things are better in that situation.
36:33They may find themselves in that situation and older gentlemen, older men may find and
36:38lure them into other situations.
36:40So what we as the police, despite we may, they may find them a couple of days after, what
36:46we try to do is bring some resources to bear.
36:48We have a victim and support unit.
36:49We have, we have other people that we can get counseling and direct it to the family to
36:53assist them.
36:54Because there are several programs available that you could talk to these young women
36:58because they tell themselves, I'm 15, but they have a long way to go.
37:02Yeah, we are much older than them and they tell us that by 15, they know, they know it's
37:05best for them.
37:06And out in Hawaii, there will be a lot of things out there that could harm them, could
37:10stunt, could, you know, stymie their growth.
37:13You understand?
37:14Put them on the wrong path.
37:15Right?
37:15And there are persons that don't have the interest in that.
37:17And I want to urge persons, members of the public, when you see these young women, they
37:21have 800 tips, 555, your nearest police station, call your nearest police station, pass the
37:27information.
37:28We, we, we have seen too many missing young women, too many missing young women who find
37:32themselves in situations of harm, situations of distress, and we mustn't turn our blind eyes
37:37in us.
37:38Right?
37:38And as, you know.
37:39Yes, most importantly, and with the advent of social media as well, you have that way
37:43of also notifying persons.
37:45If you happen to see them, you can take an image of them, you know, or some video of some
37:49sort, asking, is this the person that you all have been looking for?
37:52Correct.
37:53Relatives, friends, even apart from the police, will be also alluded.
37:57Correct.
37:58All right, we're going to take a short break and we'll be back.
38:00Stay with us.
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39:36Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
39:53I'm your host, Mark Bussan.
39:54Joined today by Acting ESP, Joel Forbes from the Southwestern Division.
39:57We just want to remind you of the numbers to call if you have any questions regarding Point Forte Borrow Day.
40:036-2-3-1-7-1-1 extensions, 1996 and 1997.
40:09And I know, SP, Forbes, that you have a couple other things you would like to kind of educate the public
40:14who are heading to Point Forte.
40:16Yeah, well, I can tell you that today we have a number of events as well.
40:20We have the Business Fair, we have the Republic Day Panhandi Parkway.
40:24The Panhandi Parkway is 5 p.m. this evening at the Mahayka Sports Complex.
40:30We also have the Ridorama, Fanny Village, Recreation, 7 p.m. this evening.
40:36Tomorrow we have a number of events as well.
40:39We meet, streets, those we conduct in the street support, the streets of Point Forte, forgive me.
40:45Mine on Point Forte, Point Forte, 5 p.m.
40:49The Luao Charity Event, again, a number of private events will be kept as well,
40:54so those two will also be part of the event as well.
40:57So the band concert as well at the Victor Chinket Park at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening as well.
41:03So it's a full card of events that will be carried out by the borough.
41:07And this is a comfy, again, come, enjoy yourself, be safe in the safe environment at Point Forte.
41:13All right, just before we continue, we have a call on the line.
41:18Caller, good evening.
41:20Good evening, caller.
41:22Good evening.
41:23Good evening, sir.
41:24Good evening to the AM3 panel.
41:26Just to the AM3 ASP, I think you need to look into the library police station.
41:31It takes very long to respond to any call for service,
41:34and they complain no vehicles.
41:38You get a lot of different problems with the library police station.
41:43It's very, very sad.
41:45Right?
41:45It's been going on for years.
41:47Different commissioners, different ASP, different superintendent, different CSU,
41:51and the same problem remains with the library police station.
41:55Thank you very much.
41:55Yes, P. Forbes.
41:58I understand.
41:58I understand the public.
42:00I understand the cry that he's making.
42:02It's something that we're going to look into, definitely.
42:05Under the new leadership of Mr. Kelvin Thompson,
42:07I think one of the things we frown upon is that call for service and that lack of response.
42:13Officers should never tell anybody that they don't have a vehicle or anything of that nature.
42:17There are other resources available to you.
42:19You can call the neighboring station to respond.
42:20That is unacceptable in any form how the case may be.
42:24It's something we're going to definitely look at in terms of the response that is being given
42:27or meted out to the citizenry within that police district.
42:32It's not something that we encourage in any way, in any way, in any way, in any way at all.
42:37So I think I'm going to take note.
42:39I've taken note earlier, and it's something we're going to definitely look at in terms of call for service
42:43in that station district.
42:44Kona, we're hopeful that your problem will be resolved,
42:47and by extension, all the community of library,
42:49and our thanks for your call.
42:51We really appreciate it.
42:53And I know you were talking about some of the legal notices for the Point Hotel
42:57for the celebrations coming up this weekend.
43:00All right.
43:00Well, with partnership again, we were able to get three legal notices,
43:061-98-20-25.
43:08That is the traffic restrictions.
43:10That sets up pretty much the area in which we could function in terms of parking,
43:15in terms of what streets are closed,
43:17in terms of setting up one-way traffic in some areas.
43:19Emergency routes, as the case may be.
43:21So that is very, very specific to that.
43:23Also, we have legal notice 2-0-6-20-25.
43:28That is concerning the establishment and the procurement of the festivities itself.
43:35And then we have 2-0-7-20-25, which is the bottle management,
43:38which is a very, very integral part of this whole process,
43:41something that we will be using to its fullest extent,
43:44in terms of persons coming into this place.
43:47Again, as I said before, it adds another layer of safety in terms of persons.
43:52You're not just coming to a festivities, you know that it is safe here,
43:55and have no persons wouldn't be able to pelt bottles or anything.
43:58That will be totally, totally looked up from that place.
44:00And if we found you and you failed to come back,
44:04because while the officers may see you with a bottle,
44:07they will be giving you an opportunity to, hey,
44:10transfer it into a plastic bottle.
44:11Get that one liter, put your liquor into it, and move from there.
44:14All right, so a person's own, what I would recommend for persons is,
44:18if they buy and buy plastic, buy plastic to start.
44:21And if you don't have, you know, when you usually go down to those venues,
44:24there are people outside standing.
44:25Outside, yes, correct, correct.
44:26Selling plastic bottles, one liter, smaller bottles.
44:31Entrepreneurship, correct, correct.
44:31You know, everybody's trying to make a buck, right, a dollar, as the case may be.
44:35Correct, correct, correct.
44:36So, you know, and I know this is a very, you know,
44:40large undertaking by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
44:43when it comes to security and security arrangements.
44:46You're expecting somewhere in the vicinity of 10,000 to 12,000 persons
44:50for the festivities.
44:52What is the number of officers that will be deployed for this particular weekend?
44:58I do not have the exact figure.
44:59Again, we have a number of commitments from a number of other agencies
45:03within the police service, but it will be a significant number
45:05that we would have calculated to manage this space in an effective manner.
45:10I wouldn't be able to say at this point,
45:12but I can tell you what we have been able to request
45:15is sufficient to manage this space.
45:17We have significant numbers from the GB.
45:20We have significant numbers from the IETF.
45:22There are persons that will be coming in that space
45:24that will assist us to man that space effectively
45:26and give the best product in terms of law enforcement and public safety.
45:31I imagine, I'm guessing that some of the officers will also be equipped with body cameras
45:36in case of any incidents that might need to be recorded in that public space
45:42where there are thousands of persons.
45:44Again, the body camera is not just for the civilian,
45:46it is also for accountability on the part of the law enforcement officer.
45:49It is a valuable tool.
45:51It is a tool that it must be deployed, must be used.
45:54It is something that if you are looking for first will presence,
46:00it is a recognized tool used in many major metropolitan areas.
46:05Officers, often, I have been in frontline units such as the IETF.
46:09And when you go in some of the areas, some of the volatile areas,
46:12and you flick on that camera and you announce,
46:15sir, you are being recorded by a, you find that the person comes on
46:19because now you are able to give an account.
46:22Yes.
46:23You have a recorded account of that interaction.
46:25And you demarcate that interaction with that person.
46:28So that person now knows that what is going on.
46:31Right?
46:31And in addition to that, it has a lot of evidential value going forward.
46:34It is a useful tool.
46:35And in the Southwestern Division, like any other part of the National
46:38Tobago Police Service, we use the body camera
46:41and we have employed it successfully in all operations going forward.
46:44And it will be deployed during that, those festivities.
46:48If you can, could you recollect the number of officers
46:51that would have worked last year for this particular event?
46:54I don't have that idea.
46:56Unfortunately, you put me on a spot there.
46:59Well, I'm just asking.
47:00I know usually it will fluctuate dependent on the number of persons
47:04obviously coming into our space.
47:06Yeah, it will fluctuate, but it also,
47:08now we wouldn't just throw figures or throw numbers
47:10or throw personnel in our situation.
47:12Under the stewardship of the executive,
47:15we would have looked at what we have to deal with
47:17in terms of the influx based on the estimations
47:19and then we would have deployed according to that.
47:21Now, what we're looking at is key checkpoints throughout.
47:24We'd have officers deployed in checkpoints,
47:26plus we'll have officers perusing the space
47:29in these little lines or the columns.
47:31Yes.
47:32We'll have that presence as well.
47:33So, all of these things are taken into place.
47:36You wouldn't get a figure.
47:37I wouldn't be able to tell you a figure off the bat.
47:39But I can tell you the presence and the deployment that we have,
47:41it will engender that feeling of safety going forward.
47:46Of course, that will be very important
47:48as we go into this weekend here with the Point Forte
47:51Borrow, the celebrations,
47:53where thousands of persons are expected at this event.
47:57They have the Juve and other parties
48:00and other cultural celebrations taking place
48:03at the Point Forte, 45th anniversary Borrow Day.
48:07And, you know, it's important.
48:09I know that you're probably not going to be asleep
48:11for the next 72 hours.
48:14Of course not.
48:14Of course not.
48:15There'll be hard work.
48:16I know that the executive,
48:18the general command in the division,
48:20everybody will be putting their hands to the wheel,
48:22all the officers, everybody is committed going forward
48:25to give that good product,
48:27that professional product going forward.
48:28And a number of the external units,
48:30the K9, the Mounted Branch,
48:33the Traffic and Highway Patrol,
48:37some of the task forces coming from externally,
48:39the gang units,
48:40everybody is giving Apple
48:41to make sure that we have that synergy
48:43to have the best product, professional product,
48:45and a safe environment going forward.
48:47All right.
48:48A safe environment it is.
48:49We're going to take a short break
48:51and we'll be back.
48:52Stay with us.
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50:07Transcription by CastingWords
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53:07But marijuana smoking in public is also an offense.
53:11It is a ticketable offense.
53:13Unfortunately, it is not something we encourage, but we are a bit stymied in how we can deal with it at this point in time.
53:23Now, illicit use of drugs and operating a motor vehicle is just as dangerous.
53:29And there are offenses in that amendment that would have made or decriminalized marijuana that you cannot operate a vehicle while in consumption of marijuana, right?
53:38So there are offenses within that.
53:40You're not supposed to operate a vehicle.
53:41You're not supposed to consume marijuana in a school bus.
53:44You're not supposed to come next time, a feel as the case may be, right?
53:48So it is pretty much illegal.
53:51What the law has in fact done is it has made it, they have set up parameters.
53:57And what the smoker doesn't realize is that they have given them a little box and you have to stay in the box, right?
54:03With those different classes of possession, you are under 30 grams, you can have it.
54:07The law enforcement, it is permissible and you can have it, right?
54:12But like the officer said, the open consumption of marijuana is something we should be frowned on in the society.
54:18Because you could stay home in your house and you could smoke marijuana cigarettes as big as you want in your space.
54:24But somehow, some persons believe that smoking in the public is some sort of rank, but it is illegal.
54:31And it's something we need to frown upon.
54:33And they must recognize it.
54:35Also, the possession of four growing trees.
54:38Four growing trees per adult in the household, right?
54:42One, all adults in that house, even if you have, they must be able to account for that, right?
54:50So it's not just a free-for-all that some people may believe it is.
54:53It's not a free-for-all at all.
54:55The law has, it is still illegal to possess marijuana in certain classes.
54:58And you still can run and follow the law.
55:01Well, we hope, well, that was a really good question by the caller, previously.
55:04Very good, very good.
55:05In light of the Point Forte Borody celebrations upcoming this weekend, of course, if you're going down,
55:12remember, don't drink and drive.
55:15Find a designated driver, of course, because it's extremely important.
55:19And as ASP Forbes said, you all will be covered safely by the police officers who will be at various transit points, of course.
55:27So be mindful of that and have a safe, clean weekend at Point Forte Borody celebrations.
55:36All right, with that, remember, repeat tonight at 11.30.
55:39We run tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
55:43The TV6 News is up next.
55:45Stay with us.
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