Trinidad & Tobago is under a State of Emergency! What's the emergency and why now?
In this episode of Beyond the Tape, Acting Sergeant Tricia Charles from the Gender-Based Violence Unit joins host Mark Basant to unpack the details and implications of the just-announced state of emergency. They address public concerns and provide valuable insights into this evolving situation.
Commissioner Alistair Guevara reveals the alarming details of a criminal syndicate operating both inside and outside prison walls. Discover the syndicate’s plans involving assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings that triggered immediate action.
Understand the reasons behind the state of emergency, the measures being taken to address these serious threats, and how it impacts the safety and security of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
#StateOfEmergency #TrinidadAndTobago #CrimeSyndicate #PublicSafety
In this episode of Beyond the Tape, Acting Sergeant Tricia Charles from the Gender-Based Violence Unit joins host Mark Basant to unpack the details and implications of the just-announced state of emergency. They address public concerns and provide valuable insights into this evolving situation.
Commissioner Alistair Guevara reveals the alarming details of a criminal syndicate operating both inside and outside prison walls. Discover the syndicate’s plans involving assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings that triggered immediate action.
Understand the reasons behind the state of emergency, the measures being taken to address these serious threats, and how it impacts the safety and security of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
#StateOfEmergency #TrinidadAndTobago #CrimeSyndicate #PublicSafety
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00This program is unsuitable for young children.
00:30Beyond the Tape, we'll be back after these messages.
01:00We'll be back after these messages.
01:30Pauline Joseph, as she speaks to experts across the industry to empower you to take control of your money.
01:37Straight off the bat, Mondays at 8.30 p.m. on TV6.
01:40Brought to you by the Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:44At The Express, we set the standards, giving you the facts, analysis, investigations, revelations, and opinions that safeguard democracy and hold leaders to account.
01:58Since 1967, we've brought you the most important stories at the most crucial times in our history, braving the front lines to give you all the information you need as citizens.
02:10As the world changes and we move further into an era of more immediate news coverage, we take pride in remaining consistent with high-quality stories in print, digitally, on social media, and beyond.
02:23The Express, integrity, and fearless journalism.
02:53It's not a thrill when your speed can't kill.
02:59Welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:19I'm your host, Mark Basant. It's Friday.
03:22I want to welcome our viewers across Trinidad and Tobago
03:25and our international viewers as well as our brothers and sisters
03:29in the Isles of Grenada.
03:31Well, what can I say?
03:33What a Friday it has been since early this morning.
03:38The declaration of the state of emergency.
03:40We're having a police press conference, 8.30,
03:45followed by a press conference by the Attorney General,
03:48John Jeremy, at noon today, of course,
03:52putting all this in perspective in the coming minutes, of course,
03:56you know, why this state of emergency was called
03:59and basically about a threat inside the prison walls of Trinidad and Tobago
04:05that they had to deal with immediacy.
04:10And I think the commissioner, of course, we'll hear from him later,
04:13as well as the Attorney General,
04:15gives reasons as to the bearing of this state of emergency,
04:20the second in as many as, I would say, seven months, six months, six and a half months.
04:26And, of course, today with us is Acting Sergeant Tricia Charles
04:31of the Gender-Based Violence Unit.
04:34I want to welcome you, ma'am.
04:36I know, you know, it's been a pretty busy couple of days.
04:40I know you have a lot to say, not just about the state of emergency,
04:43but, of course, when we speak about gender-based violence,
04:47violence against women, children, and so on.
04:49So you're going to be occupying the next hour with us
04:52talking about a couple of these things.
04:55Most definitely.
04:55Thank you very much, Mark, for having me on the program.
04:59And I must say a special good evening to the viewing and the listening public.
05:04So just your thoughts, I mean, your Commissioner, of course,
05:09you know, declaring that they would have had to seek counsel
05:13with the government last night
05:15and essentially, you know, saying that there's need for a state of emergency.
05:22Kind of outlined, of course, why.
05:24And I know as an officer you would obviously have some views or opinions to share with us.
05:29Right, so I want to firstly assure the members of the public, you know,
05:37that there is no curfew in effect.
05:39I know a lot of persons, there's a panic when they heard state of emergency.
05:42And the first thing that comes to mind, curfew, you know, movement restricted.
05:47But be guided, you know, the Commissioner informed us that there's no curfew in effect.
05:51You know, he encouraged persons, you know, to go out and continue your daily activities as per usual.
05:57I know that there were information received which were of national concern.
06:03And this is the reason why there had to be a state of emergency.
06:06But we can rest assured that, you know, updates will be given in a timely fashion, you know.
06:14Yes, and I know it's still a very fluid situation.
06:16We want to listen to what Commissioner Alistair Guevara said earlier today
06:21while speaking with members of the media.
06:23Let's take a listen.
06:23Yesterday afternoon, I would have received intelligence reports
06:29whereby organized criminal gangs with persons inside of the prisons
06:38and persons operating on the outside of the prisons
06:41have formed themselves into what I would want to term an organized crime syndicate
06:47and that they were planning, actively so, to carry out assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings.
06:58And when I received this information, it was most troubling to me.
07:04I had to approach the National Security Council last night.
07:09And when I addressed the National Security Council,
07:13I later had a briefing with the Prime Minister and the Attorney General
07:16and made a recommendation.
07:19And this recommendation was made with a heavy heart
07:23to ask the Prime Minister and the Attorney General
07:28to accede to my request to have a state of emergency placed on Trinidad and Tobago
07:33and particular emergency powers placed in the hands of law enforcement
07:39to treat with the threat.
07:41They would have agreed
07:43and the President last night would have signed that proclamation
07:49and I would have received it, following which my men and myself would have hit the ground running
07:56and I, just having returned from the maximum security prison at Aruka,
08:04where I would have personally supervised the extraction of those gang leaders
08:09to be placed in another facility where they would now be housed,
08:16one where they would not have access to the liberal communication
08:21that they were using to facilitate this reign of terror
08:26upon the great citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
08:30More so, we have seen recent acts of kidnapping and homicides
08:35being perpetrated against our citizenry
08:37that we have been able to trace back to this organized crime syndicate.
08:42And as your Commissioner of Police,
08:43I cannot in all good conscience stand before you at any given time
08:48knowing what I know and not take definitive action against it.
08:54Commissioner of Police there, Alistair Guevaro,
08:57speaking about a criminal syndicate.
09:00And if you understand the operations within the prison walls, of course,
09:04there are several gangs that are operating in there now.
09:07They have basically seen that they have amalgamated their resources together
09:11and they are perpetuating extortion, kidnappings, murders, etc.
09:18And if you listened also to the attorney general who spoke at midday,
09:23he would have indicated that, and he spoke with authority when he said that
09:27they have very credible information that the kidnapping of 44-year-old,
09:33Sati Karim was gang-related.
09:37And you know the particular gangs that have been operating along that east-west corridor
09:42over the last two years involved in extortion and kidnapping
09:46while the gang leader and leaders of these particular gangs sit inside the prison walls
09:53and they call shots.
09:55And you know that, Sergeant, that this is a perennial problem that has festered for so many years.
10:04And it's now where they realized that the maximum security prison,
10:10now Building 13, has now, you have to extract these gang leaders who are there together
10:17and remove them altogether and place them in a separate location
10:22where they are devoid of communication, at least using their cell phones to make calls
10:27because we know over the last couple of years, a lot of hits have been called from behind prison walls
10:33on police officers, on prison officers, on state officials,
10:37and even the attorney general did indicate as well that the former,
10:43the murder of Mr. Randall Hector, state prosecutor,
10:46on the last day of 2024 was also gang-related.
10:50Yes.
10:51And you know, I want the members of the public to be mindful, right?
10:56Calling a state of emergency doesn't just focus on infringing your rights.
11:01At the end of the day, you know, the commissioner decided to take this course of action
11:06in order to protect and secure the safety of members of the public,
11:11the citizenry of the country.
11:13You know, and it's so important for us to be mindful of that.
11:17Another concern that persons have is that police officers now have extra powers
11:22to just enter my premises without a warrant.
11:25You know, and once you're a law-abiding citizen, then you should have no fear.
11:30It's the criminals that we are after, that we are targeting,
11:34and as the commissioner rightly so mentioned,
11:37apart from the persons that are inside, there's an operation that is happening on the outside.
11:41Yes.
11:42So he would have conducted OVOT and CoVOT operations to deal with that situation.
11:47You know, he spoke about strategy,
11:50and I know one of the members of the media would have asked,
11:52well, what is the next course of action?
11:54You know, what the police is going to do?
11:55And going on are the days where the police come and, you know,
11:59we explain everything to the media as to what our next course of action is.
12:04The commissioner rightly said, you know, strategy is better felt than spoken,
12:09and that's what we need to focus on.
12:10So again, you know, employing members of the public to understand
12:15that this state of emergency was necessary,
12:18the commissioner has the necessary support,
12:20and, you know, we look forward to further updates.
12:24Yeah, and it's quite troubling.
12:25You know, as I said, the proclamation was made by the president at 12.02 last night,
12:32and it's troubling to think that this criminal syndicate of gangs
12:37that have now amalgamated into one strong entity
12:41is plotting to kill police officers, prison officers, judiciary officers,
12:46and other officers of the state.
12:49And we have seen that connection now made definitively by the attainee general
12:55as it relates to Mr. Hector.
12:58And we know that there have been probably perhaps other things that they're looking at.
13:02As you said, it's a very fluid situation.
13:04It is.
13:04And I imagine in the coming days other things will be revealed
13:08as it should be in a way that is responsible.
13:12Yes.
13:12And you're right, the commissioner cannot, in essence, I guess,
13:18show his hand in the public for everybody to know what they're going to do next.
13:22Yes.
13:22And there are certain things that are driven by intelligence,
13:25by strategic pronouncements and placements,
13:29so that persons have to give them that boost and that assurance,
13:34and, of course, let them do their work.
13:36Yeah, and thus far, members of the public have been very cooperative with the police,
13:39and, you know, we want to encourage members to continue.
13:43So, you know, we have different avenues of receiving information,
13:46999-555-800-TIPS.
13:48You know, please continue to share the information
13:50because this is not just police alone, you know.
13:53Yes.
13:54The police can't do it alone.
13:55We need the support of members of the public
13:58so that we all in this together,
14:00we all can be able to solve this crime
14:02and be able to deal with the situation of crime together.
14:04Yeah, I know there's members of the public are very, you know,
14:09like, state of emergency.
14:10We just went to one.
14:11Apprehensive, yes.
14:12We just came out of one in April.
14:13Yeah.
14:14You know, we had January, February, March, April, part of April, April 15th,
14:19and we are like, what, two months, three months down the road,
14:21we are back where we started.
14:23Yes.
14:23In a matter of speaking, of course,
14:25there's no restriction of your movement.
14:27Yes.
14:28And there's no curfew in place,
14:29but the police will continue to do their work
14:32and, of course, you don't have to have a warrant to go in.
14:35If you have good reason, information or information
14:38or intelligence come to your hand
14:40that a particular person has illegal firearms,
14:43illegal drugs, or anything else.
14:45Yes.
14:45And then that matter also of cell phone usage
14:48and the interception of that communication,
14:51I'm sure that the intelligence organizations,
14:54various organizations have a lot of information
14:57which would have driven them to these exercises
14:59that they are now conducting over the next couple of weeks.
15:03You know, technology can be such a blessing.
15:06And, you know, at times I think that we take it for granted
15:09as to what can take place, what we can extract from it.
15:13But sometimes it may come up as a curse as well
15:15because look at what's happening.
15:17Yes.
15:17You know, so we have to be mindful and careful
15:19on how we use technology.
15:21But in this instance,
15:22it is assisting the police with our operations.
15:24Yes, certainly.
15:25Yes.
15:25All right.
15:26We're going to take a quick look now at our headlines.
15:29So those are some of the headlines over the last 24 hours.
15:51And we just want to employ anybody with information
15:54about kidnapped victim Saty Karim.
15:57Please contact 800-TIPS or 999
16:00or contact the nearest police station
16:02with any information you have
16:04about the whereabouts of Ms. Saty Karim.
16:07Pitchard here, taken last Sunday.
16:10We are employing those with any kind of information.
16:12If you have seen her or anybody with her
16:15and company with her,
16:16please contact the nearest police station,
16:18even the Hunter, Search and Rescue Team
16:20or 800-TIPS or 999.
16:23All right.
16:23We're going to take a short break
16:24and we'll be back.
16:25Stay with us.
16:25Okay.
16:30I see you.
16:31Okay.
16:32Let me see you.
16:46Cherry Hill.
16:46Uh, yeah.
16:47Now take it back.
16:48Uh, let me see you.
16:49Rock off.
16:50Rock off.
16:51Uh, shake off.
16:52Shake off.
16:52Let me see you.
16:53Rock off.
16:53Rock off.
16:54Let me see you kick right.
16:55Now kick left.
16:56Now step forward.
16:57Now step back.
16:58Luke's age.
16:59Bring the energy.
17:02Science calls it AMPK.
17:04Your body's built-in system for burning fat,
17:07balancing blood sugar,
17:09and fueling energy.
17:10Berberine Plus naturally supports AMPK,
17:14helping you feel better, live better, be better.
17:18Available at Pennywise and leading pharmacies nationwide.
17:22Berberine Plus powerful results naturally.
17:26The Sunday Express remains the first choice for readers.
17:49Hard-hitting social commentary, investigative stories, special reports, lifestyle publications,
17:56youth content, and more.
17:58Make the Sunday Express the most widely read edition of the leading newspaper, NTNT.
18:02Whether it's via our physical paper, the e-paper, the Express app, or our website,
18:08with the highest combined circulation and readership covering multiple demographics across multiple platforms,
18:13the Sunday Express gives you the opportunity to increase your reach, boost awareness, and generate engagement.
18:20Plus, our reputation for integrity and fearless journalism enhances the prestige of your brand.
18:25Success starts with the Sunday Express.
18:34This is Mary.
18:37Mary has bills to pay and takes a chance parking in front of the building at the no parking sign.
18:43Mary returns to her car and this is what happens.
18:47Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away to let her daughter know that she is close by.
19:00But Mary forgot one thing.
19:03Mary, second ticket for the day.
19:06I don't know now.
19:07I really don't know.
19:08Well, I tell you.
19:09After two tickets, Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.
19:15If you have fixed 15, no death effects, you have to be right 15 kilometers.
19:19You have to take us up here for 15 years to go on test.
19:22It's not a lot of people.
19:23Look how many people pass.
19:24You haven't seen them.
19:25You haven't seen me, right?
19:27Eh?
19:27You haven't seen me.
19:28You haven't seen me.
19:28Like, you haven't seen me.
19:29Don't be like Mary.
19:31Obey the laws of the road
19:33A message from the GTPS
20:01A message from the GTPS
20:31A message from the GTPS
21:01A message from the GTPS
21:31A message from the GTPS
22:01A message from the GTPS
22:31A message from the GTPS
23:00A message from the GTPS
23:30A message from the GTPS
24:00A message from the GTPS
24:30A message from the GTPS
25:00A message from the GTPS
25:30A message from the GTPS
25:32A message from the GTPS
26:34A message from the GTPS
26:36A message from the GTPS
27:08A message from the GTPS
27:38A message from the GTPS
27:40A message from the GTPS
27:42A message from the GTPS
27:44A message from the GTPS
27:46A message from the GTPS
27:48A message from the GTPS
27:50A message from the GTPS
27:52A message from the GTPS
27:54A message from the GTPS
27:56A message from the GTPS
28:26A message from the GTPS
28:28A message from the GTPS
28:58A message from the GTPS
29:00A message from the GTPS
29:02A message from the GTPS
29:04A message from the GTPS
29:06A message from the GTPS
29:08A message from the GTPS
29:10A message from the GTPS
29:12A message from the GTPS
29:14A message from the GTPS
29:16A message from the GTPS
29:18A message from the GTPS
29:20A message from the GTPS
29:22A message from the GTPS
29:24and social media in terms of dating and so on.
29:28I just want to know what advice you have for those women out there.
29:31You know, you tend to post a lot of things online
29:34and maybe sometimes you just finished in a relationship
29:39and then this person might see you out with a male friend
29:43or even a female friend as the case may be
29:46and then they end up there and something escalates.
29:50I just want you to kind of walk persons through that situation
29:55and how to get past that situation.
29:58So let me first start by saying, you know, condolences to the family members.
30:04You know, I saw the interview that the father would have done
30:06and, you know, my heart goes out to him and the rest of his family
30:11because it's not an easy thing to hear that, you know, your child,
30:15you know, this is what happened to your child.
30:17We have this problem where men, in most instances, have that issue of control.
30:27So a lot of times, you know, women, feel free.
30:30We're liberated.
30:31You know, we can enjoy our life.
30:33And, you know, we may decide that we want to post on social media
30:36because I'm a grown woman and I can do as I please.
30:40But, you know, I'm urging females to be mindful, be very careful.
30:45Yes, it's your phone.
30:46Yes, you can post the picture.
30:48But sometimes with posting the picture, the location comes up.
30:51So, you know, someone can be able to identify where you are.
30:54Sometimes posting the picture, someone else is in the background
30:57or you may not want that picture to show the other person that you're with
31:00and it will cause some problems.
31:02And to avoid situations from escalating, it is important that females be aware,
31:08aware of the red flags, aware of their surroundings,
31:11and be very aware of the avenues that you can get help.
31:15Because what I've recognized, working in the special victims department,
31:20is that a lot of times you get red flags, you know,
31:23and we take it for granted.
31:25Nah, he wouldn't do that.
31:26He's not that kind of person.
31:28You know, he grew up, you're that good at bringing.
31:29You know, so we take it for granted that he will not do or she will not do.
31:35I'm not going to be gender biased.
31:36Or she will not do.
31:37Because a lot of times, female, they commit crimes against men.
31:41Hitting, coughing, you know, threatening them.
31:44And men would not come forward.
31:46Yeah.
31:47Yeah.
31:47So, again, I'm urging females to be very careful, be very vigilant,
31:51be very mindful of who and how you engage, especially on social media.
31:55Would a suggestion be in a situation where you are out socially,
32:00maybe wait until you get back home to post a video?
32:02Because sometimes, you know, people tend to zoom in on where you are at that particular time.
32:06And then they might actually arrive at the location to go out or do what?
32:13Maybe cause a scene?
32:14Just being very simplistic in that view.
32:16Or go to the extreme on the other side.
32:19Yeah.
32:19The validation that a lot of people get from social media by posting and getting the compliments.
32:25You know, they take it for granted that, hey, no one would know where I am.
32:29But as I agree with you, you know, you could zoom in and see a location.
32:32I think, you know, there's nothing that debars that.
32:35So women must be mindful, you know, as Mark suggested.
32:38Just when you reach home.
32:39Time stamp.
32:40Yeah.
32:40Just, you know, you could do it when you reach home, you know.
32:42Of course when you reach home.
32:43And people might still think, get it, but this time you're already home.
32:45Exactly.
32:46You know, so you give yourself that window where at least, you know, if somebody intends to, they're looking for you.
32:52To harm you.
32:52Yes.
32:53Or harm you or cause a scene.
32:55Yeah.
32:55You'll be at home already.
32:57I agree.
32:57You know, sometimes it is like that.
32:59But definitely, it's important that young women especially who use social media platforms, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, whatever it might be, to have a sense of responsibility and awareness for themselves as well.
33:15Agreed.
33:16Because we take it for granted that, you know, again, it's my phone, I can do what it is I want.
33:21But we don't understand that social media is so invasive.
33:24Yes.
33:25And we have to be very careful on what we put out to members of the public because guess what?
33:30We have young ones looking on, you know.
33:32So, if I can see mommy posting and she's not mindful, she's not careful of what she's doing, then what do you leave for the younger ones?
33:41Yeah.
33:42You're quite right.
33:42All right.
33:43Speaking of, you know, messages, we're going to go to our segment, Voice of the People in San Juan.
33:50Let's take a listen.
33:50Let's take a listen.
34:12What would you say makes young persons gravitate towards a life of crime?
34:39Well, money wise.
34:41Do you have the access to money to buy with the one, to do with the one?
34:47If I can work, some of them who could work, you know, and get in work.
34:51Or friends encouraging them to do, all kind of things, all kind of things doing this.
34:55And I buy two more figures in money.
34:57And that's what they're doing kind of money, to buy things.
35:01They're watching other people in something, they now had somebody work, and they do something very easy.
35:06So they rather go to crime.
35:08Some of them willing to get out of work.
35:10Now, when I go to jail work now, people want to underpay.
35:13Yeah.
35:14Most of all, see that right now, underpaying people, that we're not big in this country.
35:20That's an issue the government should look at, right now.
35:24Because I just work otherwise.
35:26Down the market, I've been driving.
35:27And the company I work in for, I won't call them names, but I don't know.
35:32Yeah.
35:32What would you say is the age that somebody should be tried for a crime in Trinidad and Tobago?
35:41Well, boy, right now?
35:45I said 15, 16, yes.
35:47Mm-hmm.
35:4714, 15, 16, anyway.
35:49Mm-hmm.
35:49What advice do you have for young people if you want to tell them to stay away from a life of crime?
36:05What do you need to do?
36:07I feel trying to seek the Lord, yes?
36:09I do any way out.
36:10Mm-hmm.
36:10I don't.
36:11Seek the Lord, try to do something better, you know?
36:15Read, read, read.
36:16Do some reading about the world, not the world, but like with God, coming to God.
36:25Because it's an evil time out there.
36:27Very evil.
36:27But the Bible states all these things that we've seen happening will happen.
36:33Perfect season.
36:34Now I used to drink, I used to smoke.
36:37A lot.
36:38But in my time, it wasn't like this.
36:40Yeah.
36:41Now alcohol.
36:43The alcohol again now, it's not like before.
36:47Sugar, sugar, and everything is different.
36:48It's, I'm going to call it, chemical.
36:52Alcohol is now getting kind of cured, so different chemical.
36:55And I'm going to kill all these people fast and it, it, it, it, when somebody drinks alcohol,
37:00it, it, it, it, aggravates the mind different, the soul, the spirit.
37:06When somebody do a crime, because I do crime, and they get sober,
37:12then they know how to do it.
37:13They forget how, they know how to do it in jail, all these kind of things.
37:17It's got plenty to do with the Lord.
37:19This life that we're going on here now, plenty.
37:32Voice of the People Acting Sergeant Charles, your comments.
37:37You know, Mark, I'd like to commend you.
37:40That program, it spoke a lot.
37:42It spoke where you build that level of connectivity with the people on the ground,
37:47and those are the people that feel it the most.
37:49Yes.
37:50You know, what he said was so instrumental as it relates to what's happening now
37:54on crime and young persons, where they just feel that level of hopelessness.
37:59You know, it's easy for them because I have no finances.
38:03I may not have family members to assist me.
38:05You know, what do I do?
38:06Where do I go?
38:07What avenues are available?
38:08You know, within the police service, we have youth clubs that are available for the youths
38:14to be able to guide and mold them.
38:16I know within schools, we have the guidance counselors.
38:20We have counselors that may offer some level of career training
38:23if it is that they want to get into a particular field.
38:26So we have avenues.
38:27We even have, there is the, I know there's a MyLAT program that's available for youths
38:35that, you know, might decide that the school thing is not for them.
38:38So there are avenues available for the youths just to be able to access that information.
38:44But I love how the gentleman would have relayed the information to you.
38:48You know, and his concern is, you know, you need to seek the Lord.
38:52You need to seek the Lord.
38:53You need to have some level of divine being that you can be able to communicate with.
38:58For those persons who may not want to engage in that, they have mentors that are available.
39:04You know, we might go and sit down and talk to our grandfather
39:08or talk to somebody by the shop that can be able to give you some solid advice on what to do.
39:12Well, I think that's the genesis of voice of the people to listen to those on the ground
39:17who live it every day, who feel it every day.
39:20And that is so enriching to listen to these views, these opinions, and these suggestions
39:25that will give the relevant persons who are listening ideas on how to deal with crime,
39:32how to combat crime, and so on.
39:34Because it's easier said than done, eh?
39:35Indeed it is.
39:36Yes.
39:36All right, we're going to take a short break, and we'll be back.
39:38Stay with us.
39:39When you have the flu, sometimes you feel like you want to throw in the towel.
39:55Good thing relief is one hit away, just when you need it.
39:58Panadol Multi-Symptoms.
39:59Relief in minutes, seven cold and flu symptoms, so I can get better quickly and fight again.
40:04Panadol release starts here.
40:06Do it all for less with Green Dot.
40:09With our reliable and expansive network, we deliver internet connectivity to a wide range
40:14of communities in Trinidad.
40:16Stream your favorite shows, enjoy online tuition, stay in touch with your work team,
40:21and connect with friends and family with internet service at a price you can afford.
40:25Plus, get extra value by bundling our digital TV service with your internet package.
40:30Wherever you are, you can do it all.
40:32For less, call 224-G-DOT or visit gd.tt today.
40:37Green Dot.
40:38Improving and simplifying lives.
40:39It's the one and only D-R-E.
40:43Unrivaled.
40:44Heralded.
40:46Legendary.
40:47There is only one.
40:49Fearless one.
40:50Still number one.
40:53It's the one and only D-R-E.
40:56Andre Errol Batiste.
40:59You know what I'm having with the D-R-E.
41:01A-N-D-R-E.
41:03Real.
41:05Rocking.
41:06Roaring.
41:07Unwavering passion in sports.
41:10Every Thursday, 6.25 p.m.
41:12And Saturday, 6.15 p.m.
41:15Coming real, it's the next episode.
41:17The Rule of Sports on I-95.5 FM.
41:21Hold up.
41:21With Andre Errol Batiste.
41:24You ready for the next episode, hey?
41:27Da-da-da-da-da.
41:29It's the one and only D-R-E.
41:31What you can't see from this image is a man lying in a pool of blood in his living room.
41:41He was shot dead a short while ago as two bandits tried to rob him and his family.
41:47What you can't hear is his wife crying inconsolably.
41:50What you don't know is that his four-year-old daughter is standing looking at her father, confused, begging him to wake up.
41:59Can you imagine what this wife and child are going through and what they will have to go through?
42:04They try to process what has happened.
42:06How can we begin to help?
42:07We can start right here at the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
42:12From investigation to counseling.
42:14To helping families find justice.
42:17To helping families find peace.
42:21This unit gives victims and witnesses hope to cope.
42:25We are the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
42:28Bridging the service gap between the victims, witnesses and the police.
42:37Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
42:50I'm your host, Mark Bussan, joined today by Acting Sergeant Tricia Charles from the Gender-Based Violence Unit.
42:57And we want to show you a video in the Aruka District of an alleged police shooting.
43:03So this is the individual that was allegedly shot.
43:09Ella shootout, we understand, with police sometime on Thursday night in the Aruka District.
43:20And he's been taken to the hospital, of course, where he was later pronounced dead.
43:28And I'm not too familiar with the circumstances surrounding the entire incident.
43:35But I know there has been talk on social media and so on.
43:38People are claiming that, you know, it was some kind of alleged shootout.
43:45In which the individual may have been armed with a firearm.
43:49Of course, that's still subject to a particular investigation.
43:53Sergeant Charles?
43:54Well, first, let me say, you know, if we have persons who are witnesses, you know, please come forward with the information.
44:02Again, it can be anonymous, 999-555-800-TIPS.
44:07Bearing in mind that this is a video and we don't know when it started.
44:11Yeah.
44:11So we have to be very careful to make any pronouncements on it.
44:15And if this is, in fact, and like we said, alleged, if this is, in fact, true, you know, there is an active investigation that will take place.
44:24So I don't want to pronounce too much on it.
44:26And that's why I know over the last year we've spoken about the importance of body cams for police officers when they are confronted with situations like this, where you can see clearly what would have transpired with the assailant or assailants and the police officers.
44:46It gives you a clear picture.
44:48So when officers, especially those on the beach and task force and CIDN chasing criminals, and you have an instance where they are armed and they decide to shoot at you.
45:00Yes.
45:01And you have to return fire because of, under the use of force policy.
45:05Yes.
45:06You have a, you get a clear picture of what would have transpired and those moments leading up to the incident.
45:12I would say this, right, we have a new commissioner who is one month in office as he identified.
45:20And, you know, he's in full support of his officers.
45:23So I agree with the necessary equipment needed to function, one being body cameras, the other being bulletproof vests, you know, proper uniform.
45:32I'm very sure that those issues will be addressed in short order.
45:36Yes, certainly.
45:36And I know the commissioner would have made certain pronouncements.
45:39And he, of course, very cautious as well in terms of what he says and how he says it because, you know, you don't want to lay blame on any particular person or persons, especially in situations like this.
45:52You need the investigation to go through its course.
45:55And the evidence, of course, will also unravel what really would have happened, not just in this particular instance, but in several other instances, not just police-related shootings, but other related criminal activity.
46:08Yes, you see, members of the public get the opportunity to have a subjective view, you know, and get to be caught up in emotion.
46:16You know, as a police officer, you must be objective and you must be mindful of all the key players and components that come into play.
46:27What happens oftentimes is that, you know, we just might see a short clip or we might hear something and then we run with it.
46:34Yeah.
46:35Right?
46:35But that's the reason for investigation, to be able to explore and unearth what actually happened and be able to deal and address it.
46:43Yeah.
46:43Well said.
46:44All right, so yesterday we had Homicide 213 in the Red Hill District of Mova.
46:5334-year-old Miguel Gregory Hope apparently was shot and killed in front of his father while they were liming in the garage area.
47:03You know, it's really sad.
47:04Another young man losing his life to gun violence, you know, and ever so often, you know, we want to say, you know, it's sad.
47:12But the reality is that there are so many firearms or the illicit firearms on the nation's streets in the hands of young ones.
47:21But I just want you to hold your thought on that.
47:23We have a caller on the line.
47:24Caller, good evening.
47:27Good evening, caller.
47:28Go ahead.
47:32Caller, are you there?
47:34All right, so I don't know if we will get the caller.
47:37We're having some technical issues.
47:39I was really open to speak with members of the public.
47:41Caller, are you there?
47:43I thought I heard the caller.
47:44But yes, so, you know, gun violence is something that we hope for.
47:49Yeah.
47:50I would say that, you know, it's not...
47:52Excuse me.
47:53I think the caller...
47:53Caller, good evening.
47:55Hi, good evening.
47:56Calling from Guaya Guayari.
47:57I can't quite hear you.
47:59You're very low caller.
48:02Calling from Guaya Guayari.
48:04You're calling from Guaya Guayari, yes?
48:06Yes, good afternoon.
48:07I think that the police should be given the resources to go after the criminal and not be watched for every police shooter and not be under the microscope when the police has to move from tier one to tier five to take care of criminal matters.
48:28Additionally, additionally, we don't make...
48:33It is public knowledge that we don't make arms and we don't produce arms and ammunition in Trinidad and Tobago, but they keep coming from porous borders, which are manned, which are manned by law, by the Coast Guard.
48:48So my question, my question to Trinidad and Tobago, the government, what is being done to rid the Coast Guard of the defunct approach to border protection?
49:04Secondly, we have the Coast Guard, minimal vessels, corrupt officers, similarly to the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service.
49:13It is common knowledge, again, that prisoners can only attain communication devices when it is trafficked by prison officers into the prison, unless, of course, they are producing cell phones in prison.
49:31So my question to the Minister of Homeland Security, what is being done, what strategic, precise operations is being carried out to rid the prison service of the rogue officers who continue to put the lives of trans civil legal citizens at risk?
49:55Alright, Kola, we're going to respond to your question after this break. Stay with us.
50:01Kola, we're going to respond to your question after this break.
50:31Like Chuck Gordon, Rodney McIntosh, Devon Seal, KB Charles, Zachary Ransom, Terry Lyons, Pink Panther, Oscar B, College Boy Jesse, and Luta, to say thank you, Sparrow.
50:47All happening on Saturday, July 26th at Supper and Thursday, July 31st at Napa.
50:53Showtime, showtime, showtime, 6 p.m.
50:54Tickets, reserve, 300, and general admission, 250.
50:58Second edition tickets bought by Saturday, July 19th, cost $50 less if they last.
51:04For more info, call 491-1802.
51:07No pass, back on me, no pass, back.
51:10Thank you, Sparrow.
51:11That's it, Wally.
51:14Well, he goes after that one, doesn't get a good connection.
51:18The military and the dispersonal.
51:20When it rains, it pours, ladies and gentlemen.
51:23So, it's very hard to keep it in, but fire up in the process.
51:27This is a dangerous sight.
51:29And it's cool.
51:31And that's a champion shot.
51:37Oh, it's a wonderful catch.
51:40That is a great shot.
51:42And he's on track for it to break the record.
51:44Reach everyone, everywhere, all at once, with The Express.
51:51Whether it's via the trusted pages of our newspaper, using our app, on our social media pages, or through our website,
51:58The Express makes it easy to connect with your target audience.
52:01When you advertise on any of our platforms, your message travels further, leading to greater awareness, increased lead generation, and maximum return on investment.
52:11So, whether your customers are at home, at work, or on the move, it's easy to reach everyone, everywhere, all at once, with The Express.
52:31Let's take a selfie.
52:44It looking good, boy.
52:46I present it online.
52:50Hey.
52:51I thought you said you went to the beach with your parents.
52:55Who's you?
52:56It's me.
52:57Larry.
52:59From online.
52:59Welcome back to be on the tape.
53:26I'm your host, Mark Moussan, joined today by acting Sergeant Tricia Charles of the Gender-Based Violence Unit.
53:31And I know you needed to respond to the caller.
53:35Yes.
53:35But firstly, let me just address the issue.
53:38So, we're going back and forth this morning in the press conference, the commissioner did not mention any leave restriction.
53:46Yes.
53:46And I understand that there's a document that's circulating, and I did communicate with the relevant persons to inquire about the validity of that document.
53:53So, yes, the document came from the CP George, and as a result, the SOE leave has been restricted for police officers, right?
54:02But the caller made mention of police officers obtaining the necessary resources.
54:10And like I said, you know, the commissioner is one month in, and he has been performing, and we appreciate that.
54:15We want to give him the opportunity to see where it goes as it relates to uniform, you know, the bulletproof vests, the body cameras, you know.
54:25I want to also make mention that it is important for us to remember that as police officers, we have a duty of care.
54:34And we must be mindful that we must remain accountable and transparent in our actions.
54:40So, there are agencies for errant officers, PSB, Police Complaints Authority, and then we have our own internal agency, which is, you know, complaints division,
54:50that will deal with officers whom they decide to run afoul of the law.
54:54Yeah, but you also raised salient questions or suggestions, well, comments about the porous borders, the complicity of Coast Guard officers, corrupt Coast Guard officers,
55:08helping nefarious elements, of course, with their contraband and so on.
55:13And he's asking the minister of Homeland and others, I imagine, what can be done to finally put an end to this problem that we've been faced for many years.
55:25And that's the thing. We expect an immediate solution.
55:30But I believe that, you know, through talks, and, you know, we have a new minister of Homeland Security who is doing a phenomenal job, you know.
55:37And through these talks with the other agencies, I believe that we can be able to come up with pragmatic solutions to be able to deal with the porous borders.
55:45It can't be solved overnight, let's be real.
55:47But, you know, taking steps to be able to deal with the situation, it should be able to help.
55:53Yeah, certainly. We hope for that, you know, Mr. Guaya Guayari, the officer, was able to answer your questions.
56:01And we just have about two minutes left, Acting Sergeant Charles.
56:04So if there's anything you would want to add in closing before we take our leave, the first is yours.
56:11Most definitely. Thank you very much, Mark.
56:13I would like to urge members of the public, particularly females, to be very mindful and very careful as to what's happening outside.
56:22You know, a lot of times we're not aware of our surroundings.
56:25We're not aware of what's happening in and around our homes or even, you know, going to the bank, leaving the bank.
56:32Be very mindful.
56:35Additionally, we have children who is on, you know, vacation.
56:39And for those persons that are responsible for those children, please be very careful on who you leave your children in care of.
56:47You know, we don't want it where you may have to come to us to be able to make that report that your child was, you know, sexually abused in any way or as a result of any level of cruelty.
56:57So just be mindful.
56:59And again, I will continue to urge anyone that has information, 999-555-800-TIPS.
57:06Even get the station district number and put it in your phone.
57:10Make sure that your children has access to the station district number as well.
57:14Because guess what?
57:15Sometimes your child may be the person that can be able to reach out and help.
57:19Yeah?
57:20All right.
57:21Acting Sergeant Charles, I want to thank you.
57:23Her first time on our program.
57:25And she did pretty well.
57:26We appreciate her contribution today.
57:29And as we go, of course, it's the weekend.
57:32We encourage everybody, please, please, if you're going out and drink, do not drive.
57:36Be safe on the roadways.
57:37Repeat tonight at 11.30.
57:40TV6 News is up next.
57:41No repeat tomorrow.
Comments