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00:10Good evening Trinidad and today we're going to our global audience. This is Beyond the Tape. I'm your host Whitney
00:16Husbands.
00:17Now the senseless killings continue as we saw earlier this morning. Very disturbing where we heard information that was gathering
00:25in the Belmont area where we heard of three persons, two male and an infant.
00:30Who were killed. Now again we continue to speak to the mothers, the fathers, the brothers, the girlfriends, the relatives,
00:39persons within the communities. When are we going to stop this? Another innocent life. A child's life has been taken
00:49away for no reason.
00:51Again with more information that we are gathering it is very disturbing and yet again we are in an SOE
00:56and of course with more information we receive from the TTPS and anyone with information we ask you again to
01:03give information to 555-800-TIPS.
01:05Because this again is very disturbing, traumatic. When is it going to end?
01:12Now we continue the conversation today and I know as we mentioned yesterday we're seeing some changes this week but
01:19nonetheless it's not legally speaking Wednesdays but it's a legal Thursday.
01:23Today we're the man of the man of the hour. It's usually our attorney at law who is here with
01:27us and also the director of policies in the Homeland Security is here to guide us.
01:33Accordingly we have Mr. Zahir Ali. Good evening to you sir.
01:37Well good evening to you Whitney. Unfortunately you know some very disturbing news.
01:41You know it's not news that you want to be able to reveal to Trinidad and Tobago but you know
01:46it's happening and you know we need to bring it to the attention of Trinidad and Tobago.
01:50But good evening to you. It's an honor and privilege to be here despite being a Thursday.
01:55You know I know that you are aware and others are aware that you know it was an official visit
01:59in Tobago with you know other professionals and different organizations through the Ministry of Homeland Security.
02:06Good evening to Jackie and other family members in Beyond the Tape, the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago, my law
02:11enforcement colleagues and those who are listening and viewing out of the jurisdiction.
02:15Again Whitney we continue to see challenging times and you know when I looked at that particular situation again we
02:21see another child and you know I hate it with a passion to say collateral damage.
02:26But we are seeing how when we are looking at vulnerable youths and children to be more specific we see
02:34that children are caught in the middle of what may appear to be serious gang conflicts.
02:40And you know I want like you said I want to send a message to the citizenry of Trinidad and
02:45Tobago and let us recognize that when we are exposing ourselves to criminal gang activity that sometime we believe that
02:52it may only be the persons who are involved in the actual criminal activity but here it is a child
02:57who I'm certain that age has nothing to do or has no intention or not aware but is placed in
03:05a situation where that child has lost his or her life.
03:07So very very serious circumstances and hence why when we are looking and in a short while I'll speak a
03:12little bit about the visit to Tobago the importance of looking at vulnerable youths because the vulnerability here is where
03:19perhaps parents, guardians or even family members they may have exposed and I say me because the investigation may have
03:27exposed children to serious gang and gang related activities.
03:33So I always ask the citizenry to consider what you are doing all may appear to be well but at
03:40some time it's going to strike home and we have seen circumstances again it's not the first time that we
03:45have seen this sometime ago we saw in the Lady Young in the Mova area.
03:49Of course and they just laid the young lady to rest nine years old and now we are seeing this
03:54infant is a year and literally some months and actually going to two because I said in two weeks we
04:00would have been celebrating his birthday.
04:02Exactly and as I said before very disturbing news condolences to the family and you know I really hope that
04:08the law enforcement agencies you know recognize exactly what is prompting these deadly shootings and you know when you see
04:15something like this you know I want to say to the law enforcement agencies if they are not already aware
04:18that it's important to look for reprisals and to ensure that we you know direct some deep focus in relation
04:25to those areas in terms of having you know some strategies in terms of how they're going to now suppress
04:30the activities and avoid any reprisals.
04:32Those things are very sensitive as I can expose nerve with me and we need to look at it but
04:37again Trinidad and Tobago we are seen where crime and criminality has now rocked an entire community not only a
04:45family but an entire community and I'm certain by six this evening when the light starts to go down you're
04:51going to see an entire community will be in prison in their house based on what is happening so the
04:55communities let us find strategic ways I know it's a difficult ask but let us
05:02Because we recognize that when we allow these criminal activities these gang activities to continue and flourish it will going
05:08to affect your neighborhood it would affect your standard of living and your general community and your all and I've
05:15said this always that going to impact freedom of movement because person may need to get some early or cannot
05:21go to a particular area your enjoyment of your property you cannot even come out in your gallery outside and
05:28you know so it's affecting your constitutional rights and hence why it's important
05:32It's important for us to respond responsibly this is not something to do excellent work today and then we stop
05:38tomorrow crime and criminality has to be continuously pursued from a detection context and from a prevention context and I'm
05:44happy Whitney that over the last couple weeks we have placed a lot of emphasis on prevention because I said
05:50we cannot shoot our way out of this we cannot charge our way out of this but we need to
05:53prevent
05:54These activities on prevention prevention when yes with the members within the communities put down their foot and say enough
06:01is enough because they are coming for lessons in your community where you live yes and my issue is the
06:09adults are choosing this lifestyle yes even if it is known to others are doing it in the dark my
06:14it's my main issue that is breaking my heart yes every single time I hear this is when a child
06:19is involved and is when
06:21When are y'all going to say listen we don't want you all here anymore you're not taking away the
06:26children Whitney I love that passion say that again say that again to this nation a mother someone who is
06:32a co-host on this listen to her passion a child is involved say that once more the citizenry the
06:38communities that are aware that these activities are unfolding how do you feel today that you may have been aware
06:45that there may be two criminal gangs in conflict or you may
06:48Be aware that there were high power rifles in your community and today a child that you have been may
06:54have been seen running along the road or you may have a close attachment to where you have a important
06:59role with the community to bring that child up look at what we have what look at what we have
07:03to look at
07:04So you know citizens it I don't want to say let us use this situation to remind us of the
07:10importance of our responsibility but I cannot help but say look at this and let us not and I keep
07:15saying these children who are
07:18Collateral damage unfortunately and I see them that I have to use let us not allow their passing to be
07:23in vain let it be something that we hold on to here and get the
07:27The the the the the strength to be able to fight back within the rule of law and the whole
07:33law enforcement agencies and let's deal with this from a preventative context and those that need to have strong
07:39Long-arm policing let us pursue it as well but very unfortunate circumstances now with that being said with the
07:44census calendar took place in Belmont it's the information from the
07:48TTPS media release at approximately 8 35 a.m. today officers of the port of Spain task force responded to
07:55a wireless transmission report loud explosions in the vicinity of Belmont the responding officers proceeded to the area and while
08:03conducting
08:03inquiries were directed by residents to continue along St. Francois Valley Road upon
08:10reaching the vicinity of older steps officers observed two male individuals lying
08:15motionless on the roadway alongside a silver Toyota aqua motor vehicle the
08:21identities of the deceased males are yet to be confirmed officers also received
08:25information that a woman and her son had been conveyed to hospital for medical
08:29treatment after sustaining gunshot injuries tragically the child later succumbed to
08:34his injuries while receiving treatment the woman remains under medical care police
08:39officers remain on the scene and investigations into the incident are ongoing
08:43further updates will be provided as information comes to hand and again we ask
08:48persons with information where the TTPS is asking and leading to the public where you
08:53could contact the homicide Bureau of Investigation region 1 Belmont police station or
08:58crime stoppers at 800 tips well thank you very much with me for the you know
09:03concluding part in terms of calling on the citizenry for any intelligence any
09:06information to be able to progress this investigation but more importantly not
09:10only for detection but if there's any intelligence that suggests yes that there
09:14may be reprisals and so forth we need to get this information intelligence so that
09:17we can suppress those activities immediately and retrieve any firearms or in
09:22arrest persons who may be intended to take reprisal actions or those who may want to
09:26continue their their killing spree so very very challenging times in that
09:30particular area and you know I asked persons in that particular area to
09:33exercise a heightened level of due diligence and caution as you move about
09:39yes now let's add to Tobago what's Tobago understand signal to be example well
09:43Whitney I must indicate to you that um you know we have been discussing
09:46symposium we have discussing national parenting we have been discussing the
09:50psychosocial intervention and educational engagement and one thing that the
09:53government minister spoke about and the permanent secretaries in the Ministry of
09:55Homeland Security to ensure that Trinidad sorry Tobago also be a
10:01beneficiary of what is happening in Trinidad so that official visit was a
10:05visit that entail meetings with the Tobago House of Assembly the Division of
10:11Health the Division of Education and Sport very two important meetings and I
10:15want to recognize the the Secretary Mr. Kerr and the Secretary Dr. Faith Bremner for
10:24the for receiving us warmly and some very progressive and purposeful meetings and we
10:30are hoping to go back to the island to be able to look at some youth forums some
10:34national parenting workshops and also to look at our psychosocial intervention
10:37you'll be seeing here those pictures we visited the Signal Hill secondary school as
10:44one of the psychosocial intervention with the criminologists the psychologists the
10:47police officers this a cricketer from Tobago was also used to inspire the
10:52children of Signal Hill it was a very warm the member of Parliament for Tobago West
10:56was also present and telling his story so it was a society the National Parent
11:00Teachers Association at the front the executive Mr. Walter Stewart and others
11:03Mr. Rod Hill Kirk the senior superintendent in charge of the Tobago division and other
11:08professionals and officials engaging the students for hour and a half see there's the
11:13the Tobago cricketer Mr. Rannell Reed a budding West Indies cricketer as well you
11:18know coming to tell her story to inspire the youth so it was you know from a
11:22humbling experience and you know there was a deep engagement between the
11:26children to you know emphasize upon them the importance of making right choices and
11:32also you know looking at things from a psychosocial context understanding how to
11:36relate with each other how to communicate with each other how to deal with you know
11:39stressful situation so that is something that we want to continue toward Trinidad and
11:44Tobago and hence why we pitched it immediately in the Tobago division but
11:47all in all I want to commend all the stakeholders all the professionals members
11:51of the University of the West Indies who you know partnered as well in the
11:55Tobago division and we are hoping to revisit Tobago in in short order to be
12:00able to execute some of those activities I also want to recognize the Ministry of
12:03Education officials that we met the school supervisors principals you know it was
12:07really a society speaking to Signal Hill and there are a number of other schools so I
12:10just want us to do the work and you know the Ministry of Homeland Security you
12:15know leading with other ministries and state and non-state actors so thank you
12:19very much for that Whitney and Jackie you know demonstrating and I just want to
12:23link it back to what we opened with these are the activities in my
12:26respective view when we speak in prevention this is where we need to bring
12:29back our communities if you look at the audience you would have seen at least a
12:34180 odd students in Tobago if you are targeting 180 students properly it means
12:39that you know shaping and molding them hopefully 180 persons less who may be
12:44involved in crime and criminality and if we take that perspective if we take that
12:48equation at least we could save the next generation and it must be meaningfully
12:51done what you see in there not TTP is speaking alone you see that society
12:55speaking and one day I hope that Whitney will be partnering on one of those
13:00platforms and other personalities or in the average citizen who may have a good
13:07story who may have went through some very testing times but through resilience and
13:12sacrifice to tell their story as well and this is how a community this is our
13:16country will take back the country from the criminal elements and not leave space
13:20for criminal element to dominate your community and I felt the passion in you a
13:25short while ago say the Honorable Minister we are serious about prevention matters and I'm
13:29calling on the citizenry to understand the importance of prevention prevention prevention
13:35all right as we continue the prevention let's take a look at our SOE update as of today
13:40May 7th 2026 number of operations 4,980 number of targets priority offenders 1,620
13:50searches conducted 2,608 traffic operations 2,901 total persons
13:59arrested 2,174 total persons charged 475 firearms recovered we're seeing an increase of
14:09types of other types of firearms at 141 ammunition recovered an increase with a 9
14:16millimeter the 12 gauge giving us a total of 3,056 dangerous drug seized we're seeing increase with
14:22cannabis and cocaine Miss Dali
14:25I'll just look at the last the last road the dangerous drugs in Tobago in our meetings and I'm
14:32deliberately going to say this this afternoon one of the pressing issues that
14:36have been raised in those meetings is and we have said it on this platform another
14:40platform the reconsidering the decriminalization of cannabis and and the and I'm seeing reviewing
14:51it or reconsidering it not to take away any legitimate claim for the use of the dangerous
14:58drug but as it's done there's a need to look at it because up it appears that the exposure of
15:04a
15:04dangerous drug to a child from a psychosocial context and even in a situation where we are
15:09seeing it filtering into the school systems it's a very very topical issue and may I say as well
15:16even the inter-religious organization are actually placing some emphasis on it so
15:19one of the topical issues coming out of the discussions into big one also in
15:23Trinidad from a policy context is looking at this decriminalization of cannabis
15:27and how it may be affecting our nation youths who are exposed to it at very young
15:33age so even if they are not smoking it the fact that you have given it to parents
15:36and it's not properly regulated it means that a parent can be making use or abusing a dangerous
15:41drug and children are exposed and that from a medical from a psychosocial context it can affect
15:46the child and the child's behavior and conduct one of the big areas that we have seen coming out of
15:51those meetings for my health and for my educational context I just wanted to place that and as the
15:55citizenry you know to play their role when we are looking at the reform or the review of that
16:01particular piece of legislation and its amendments all right right now it's time for us to take a look
16:05at what's making today's headlines
16:30and those are your stories making today's headlines we take that short break we'll be back
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17:58you
18:02you
18:29And welcome back, of course right now we have my co-host with me, our attorney at law, Mr. Ali,
18:34who is here with us today.
18:36Now as we move forward, you know, with the discussion of home invasions and we're seeing how serious the TTPS
18:40is taking this and making sure to get rid of it completely.
18:44You know, according to the TTPS media release, TTPS disrupts home invasion crew hours after Gaspar Law attack.
18:51One suspect killed, two arrested, firearms recovered.
18:54Now the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has successfully disrupted another organized home invasion crew less than a week after
19:01the dismantling of the Tall Boots crew in Central Division.
19:05This development was as a direct result of swift investigative work and coordinated operational action across multiple units.
19:14This latest incident began around 10.08 a.m. on Wednesday 6, May 2026, when four masked men posing as
19:24customers descended upon the home of a 67-year-old pensioner in Gaspar Law.
19:29The suspect, armed and disguised in coveralls and masks, forced their way into the residence, assaulting the victim, and robbed
19:37them before escaping in a great Toyota aqua.
19:42Officers of the Southern Division responded immediately, processed the scene, and initiated intelligence-driven follow-up inquiries.
19:50So, I mean, with that being said, I want you to also take a listen to what the commissioner had
19:56to say.
19:57Good afternoon, Trinidad and Tobago.
20:00Let me be clear that the TTPS will not allow home invasion gangs to terrorize the elderly, vulnerable, or any
20:11law-abiding citizen.
20:13Yesterday's attack in Ben Loman Village, Williamsville, was cowardly and calculated.
20:20But our officers moved with precision, and within hours, the suspects responsible were intercepted.
20:26When armed criminals choose to point guns at police officers, they alone determine the outcome.
20:33The message is simple.
20:35If you engage in violence, my officers will defend themselves and the citizens of our beloved country.
20:43All right, good from the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alistair Cavarro.
20:49Mr. Ali.
20:49Well, you know, Whitney, when the top cop has spoken, I think his message is very clear to the criminal
20:55elements.
20:55And, you know, I want to, you know, identify that to the citizenry and those who are bent on breaching
21:05the criminal law.
21:08The police service belongs to the law-abiding citizens.
21:12The police service is there to protect the law-abiding citizens.
21:15And, as the Commissioner clearly indicated, when you breach the criminal law, and also when you come upon law enforcement,
21:23and you are placing law enforcement lies in immediate danger, law enforcement, and this is the point we miss sometimes,
21:30law enforcement is also, or are also in power to use the said law to protect themselves.
21:37And I want to repeat that.
21:38So, law enforcement who are duty-bound to detect crime and other infraction of the law,
21:44the said law, or I should say the said parliament, also provided very strong legal bases for law enforcement officers
21:52to use the force that is reasonable in these circumstances when they are detecting crime and other infraction of the
21:58law.
21:59So, those who are bent on breaching the criminal law, I want to join with the top cop to warn
22:03you to desist
22:05and understand that this is not no Dolly House that we are playing.
22:09This is very serious matters.
22:11And to go back to the circumstances surrounding the home invasion,
22:13I want the citizenry to recognize that the target here was a 67-year-old.
22:18Correct.
22:18So, the elderly, the pensioners, as citizenry, let us look after these elderly among us.
22:26Let us pay attention to them. Let us support them. Let us assist them.
22:29And if you recognize the preparation that these criminal elements, mass, and the way that they were prepared to perpetuate
22:39this act.
22:39So, these are the time and luxury that these persons have to plan.
22:43And I call on every single division to heighten the activities and let these criminal elements recognize that there is
22:50no way in Trinidad and Tobago
22:53that they can continue to perpetuate these crimes.
22:55I commend the coordination of the various units and divisions, and I ask for the intelligence agencies to continue to
23:02play their role,
23:03to eradicate not only home invasion, which is organized crime, but gang and gang-related crime.
23:09And we know that there is a number of scheduled offenses, trafficking dangerous drugs, trafficking firearms, trafficking in persons, murder,
23:15kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom,
23:17and many others that I can speak about.
23:20So, excellent work to the police officers, and I'll ask the top cop, or just, you know, kindly,
23:25to ensure that these officers who are engaging these individuals, to ensure that the necessary care is rendered to them
23:30because they have to come tomorrow to continue this fight for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
23:35We have a caller on the line.
23:36Caller, good evening.
23:38Good evening.
23:39Good evening.
23:40Good evening, ma'am.
23:41I am calling in connection with the gruesome COVID-19 accident happened today at Digmond.
23:52As one described, don't cook treaters.
23:57But all I have to say, to God, give the glory and may they accept them, cook quickly and deal
24:04with them.
24:04Don't waste cashpere money.
24:07Deal with them quickly.
24:09Especially Adrian, quickly.
24:12If I was in my position, I will just give them 21 days and get rid of them
24:19because the ceremony of God of a poor anyone may be, they have no heart to forget further than anything.
24:26That's the one. The second one, I want to make it quick and simple.
24:30This young lady who fought in school, that is the most ridiculous situation I ever seen.
24:39And I said, you see, the gentleman could have gone his way, but as an elder like himself, he knew
24:48better than that.
24:49He tried to stop the fight and things.
24:53And that young lady, if she call herself a young lady and get on that man, what she could do
24:58when she becomes 18 or 21 or whatever?
25:03She's when she don't recognize her. She has a three-part job. They could play back that influence and brand
25:10up.
25:11But what I would say again, you know, charity begins at home and ends at school.
25:18Have a blessed life, you guys. Reach out with me.
25:20Thank you, ma'am. Ms. Ali.
25:22Thank you very much for your passion and your encouragement to, you know, all citizens and specific law enforcement agencies
25:30for the urgency that is required with reference to these circumstances.
25:35Very unfortunate, and we have spoken about it already.
25:39You know, Whitney, when you hear the callers speaking like this, you know that it is reaching them.
25:44Ms. Ali, it has reached us, you know.
25:46Yeah.
25:46I mean, we have reached. I am exhausted. I am really exhausted at this point.
25:51We can't be blaming other people. We can't be always standing here every single day preaching the same thing over
25:57and over.
25:58I am exhausted.
25:59We have another caller. Caller, good evening.
26:03Hi. Good evening, caller.
26:06I have a good evening to two of my favorite presenters.
26:09Good evening to you, sir.
26:11Ms. Ali, I have two sons. I have two sons. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Ready?
26:23I have two sons. I have two sons. I have two sons. I have two sons. I have two sons.
26:30Let me put something in the part where we will remove the quote.
26:37Here is a media story that went on earlier last month, where a senior police officer was pointing out some
26:53of the short comments that were happening at the municipal police in the south.
26:59What is right? His contract was supposed to be renewed somewhere around the 6th of last. And for whatever reason,
27:12his contract was not renewed. Nothing wrong with that.
27:18I am happy it was renewed, because if it was renewed, he would have found himself being part of that
27:25suspension.
27:27What I would like to suggest to the investigators, because you all know exactly who I am speaking about.
27:40What I would like to suggest is that the investigators may contact him and also let the higher-ups revisit
27:51that decision by not renewing the sponsor.
27:53Because I remember many years ago, he did a similar report on another section of police service. And again, it
28:09was not addressed.
28:11So Mr. Ali, we can't make any statements to come too much on this matter because we will report the
28:17court.
28:18So I want to protect you and myself in dealing with this matter. But he said anything that you could
28:25say.
28:26Please advise me. It's not okay.
28:28Alright. Thank you, Kola.
28:30Thank you very much, Kola. Kola, I'll just treat this simply, that even if it's true to you, what you
28:34have done is you have brought information or perhaps intelligence to be able to prompt the investigators to go in
28:39a particular direction.
28:40And that judge is rule one, that we are governed by. A police officer can speak to anybody suspected or
28:46not whom he believes useful information could be obtained when he's trying to be discovered by whom an offence has
28:51been committed.
28:51And if you bring information or intelligence, and this is the entire citizenry, and on this platform, there are persons
28:58who are listening, and if they are not listening, we are duty-bound to be able to provide this information
29:02to the investigators.
29:02So you are well within your realm in terms of bringing information. Whether it leads to detection or not, that's
29:08a matter for the investigation.
29:09But thank you very much for your active participation and contribution.
29:12Alright, we take that break. We'll be back.
29:42We'll be back.
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30:40I'm coming in fast, first place, you coming in fast.
30:44If you love the play, if you love the same.
30:48Tune in iSports every Thursday and Saturday on i95.5 FM.
30:54I've been driving up to motion.
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31:00Fear on, game on.
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31:27And we are back.
31:28Now, Mr. Ali, it's time to go back to basic a little bit.
31:31Especially when it comes to road safety, which is very important.
31:36And it seems like many persons have given the opportunity to answer these questions.
31:40Do you think they could answer them correctly?
31:42Well, one will hope so, Whitney.
31:43And, you know, going back to basics, that's a very key principle.
31:47And that's in every aspect of life.
31:49And as a matter of fact, you were urging the citizenry, quite rightly, a while ago,
31:54to get involved with reference to crime and criminality and to take back their communities.
31:59That's going back to the basics because everyone should be a police for their community.
32:02So, in the area of road safety, going back to the basics.
32:05And this is in commemoration of the United Nations Road Safety Week, which begins from the 8th to the 12th.
32:12So, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is also engaged in activities and observance,
32:17but to ensure that we're also taking some steps to enhance road safety in Trinidad and Tobago.
32:23So, they have designed a quiz.
32:25Yes.
32:25And they're asking specific questions which will suggest or which will or should lead you back in the days
32:32when you're doing your regulations and your driving test.
32:33Because I'll say, you have to dust it off.
32:34Let's see if you can sharpen up those skill sets again.
32:37That's correct.
32:37And to all our drivers out there looking on right now, let's see how many you get correct.
32:42Let's take a look.
32:51I'm Sergeant Batson, the Police Strategic Road Safety Project Coordinator.
32:56Today, the TTPS will be embarking on a little project to help educate road users.
33:01And we wish to remind motorists the importance of obeying road traffic regulations to help keep the road safer.
33:07Whether you're a pedestrian, a driver, a motorcyclist, or a cyclist, we all have our part to play.
33:14Today, we are dealing with road safety.
33:17Everyone believes that they are safe drivers.
33:20But how can you obey the law if you don't know the regulations?
33:24So, today, we are testing your knowledge of the regulations and taking you back to basics.
33:32So, I have a question, please.
33:34Yeah, talk to me.
33:34How about if I ask you two questions and give you one hand signal or sign?
33:40All right, go ahead.
33:41All right?
33:41Yeah, go ahead.
33:42Right.
33:42So, number one.
33:44Number one.
33:45If the signal light changes from green to amber light as you approach the intersection, what must you do?
33:52A. Stop.
33:53If a stop cannot be made, safely proceed with caution.
33:56B. Sung the horn to warn the pedestrians and other drivers.
34:00C. Continue through the intersection without slowing or stopping.
34:04D. Speed up to clear the intersections as quickly as possible.
34:09So, which answer is number one?
34:11D.
34:12Do you realize it?
34:13Good.
34:14Question two, right?
34:14Which of the phoning actions, when performed while driving, is considered distracted driving?
34:22Texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, focusing on the family.
34:28Only up.
34:29Look, sir.
34:30I don't even know why I won't pull you over for because you look like this in the man.
34:33D. I hear you.
34:34D. You are right.
34:35And this is the last one.
34:35Easy one, easy one, easy one, easy one, right?
34:38D. Yeah.
34:38D. This nice big red dot here with the dash in the middle here.
34:43What does that sign mean?
34:46D. I can't remember.
34:48D. That is an easy one, man.
34:49D. So, man, you're supposed to have that.
34:51D. I hear you.
34:52D. You're supposed to have that since you're small.
34:53D. Before you even have your license.
34:55D. You see what you're doing?
34:55D. I retire now I don't want to be on the road.
34:57D. Right.
34:57D. So, that's what?
34:58D. And these kind of things.
34:59D. So, what I mean?
35:00D. So, if you're not parking there.
35:01D. So, you're not parking there or you're not going in that direction.
35:04D. Yeah, but if you see all the traffic going that way and you see that sign.
35:07D. One way.
35:09D. And nobody can't go down there.
35:11D. They're going left.
35:11D. But then there's a one way.
35:14D. So, there's no entry sign.
35:15D. No entry.
35:16D. No entry.
35:17D. Come on, man.
35:17D. Come on, man.
35:18D. But you ain't do bad.
35:20D. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
35:20D. Right?
35:21D. No, but these are good things.
35:22D. But here what I want to do, right?
35:24D. Mm-hmm.
35:24D. I want you to just take a little shop, you know, on the regulations.
35:27D. Right?
35:28D. No problem.
35:28D. And also encourage others to do so.
35:31D. I will do that.
35:31D. Especially the younger drivers, right?
35:32D. Yeah, I'll do that.
35:33D. I will do that.
35:33D. I appreciate that.
35:34D. So, sir, even though you get two out of three, we're going to sell take that, right?
35:39D. Yeah, yes.
35:39D. So, you have a good day.
35:41D. Thank you.
35:41D. And thank you for participating, right?
35:43D. I'm good.
35:43D. Well, all right.
35:44D. That was one of the drivers.
35:45D. We stopped there and he didn't get too bad.
35:48D. Two out of three not that bad, but we're looking to get a three out of three because road
35:55signs are very important.
35:56D. And road signs could save lives.
35:58D. So, we're going to try again and let me see if we can get somebody to get three out
36:02of three.
36:12D. Mr. Ali, you got three out of three?
36:14D. Yeah, I think I got three out of three and I think it's a very interesting and I want
36:17to commend the TTPS for the initiative in terms of the quiz.
36:21D. And, you know, what is really refreshing is that, you know, sometimes, and it reflected there, that you have
36:28a person in charge of a vehicle, possession of a driver's permit, certificate of insurance and on the roadway and
36:33that particular sign.
36:34D. And while, you know, two out of three, that last one is very significant because that could be a
36:39situation where…
36:39D. You could turn on the wrong street.
36:41D. That's correct.
36:42D. That's a very serious matter.
36:42D. So, you know, the principle, the essence behind it is very clear and I think what it's prompting, perhaps,
36:49and from a formal context, so while they're doing it in a quiz context and it's welcome, I think that
36:54has prompted something or triggered something in my mind in terms of where the licensing authority should consider when you
37:00are renewing your driver's permit to probably give you a quiz.
37:02D. So that you are, they are certain that you are continuing to be refreshed with what you are expected
37:09to apply when you are driving.
37:11D. No, and as a citizenry, you will not like it.
37:14D. If you are going to renew your driver's permit, what will be expected of you to what?
37:17D. Go on, read and refresh your mind.
37:19D. Yes.
37:19D. So you're placing a responsibility on the motorist.
37:21D. So not to say that you're going and you are surprised, well, I'm going to give you a quiz.
37:25D. You could prepare for it.
37:26D. The basics, the basics.
37:27D. That's correct.
37:27D. But force the motorist to be able to be exposed every so often to be reading and refreshing your
37:32mind because like in anything else, Whitney, you can't become dull, you can't forget road signs and, you know, it's
37:38important for you to, you know, be refreshed.
37:41D. Let me test you quickly.
37:43I'm in the car.
37:43D. What does this mean?
37:46D. What?
37:46D. The hand signal?
37:47D. Yeah.
37:48D. Turning the load left?
37:49D. That's what he said.
37:51D. Yeah.
37:51D. And may I say something as well?
37:52D. You know, when you glass up these days now, we have no hand signal again.
37:56D. No.
37:56D. So important.
37:56D. Yeah, that's the turn left.
37:58D. But you test me this afternoon.
38:00D. All right.
38:01D. We have a call on the line.
38:02D. Caller.
38:02D. Good evening.
38:03D. Good evening, Mr. Spahn.
38:06D. Hi.
38:06D. And I'm very good.
38:07D. In the infant director.
38:09D. I hope your son's feet and activities in Tobago was enjoyable.
38:15D. Thank you, sir.
38:16D. I'm going to introduce this to a criminal enterprise and I think it's very popular in North America with
38:26respect.
38:27D. And I want to just propose that to one of the local government corporations, the San Fernando Municipal Corporation.
38:42D. And there are four events attributes that I'm going to identify with you.
38:48D. The first one, last year, this time $90,000 went missing from the vault, an office, a vault close
39:00to the mayor's office.
39:02D. Two weeks ago, three weeks ago, we had a murder of a police officer, subsequent and at the same
39:11time, the armory was breached and a lot of guns went missing.
39:16D. Several people have been arrested, etc.
39:20D. A week after, a vault close to the mayor's office was breached.
39:30D. They say it had a hole and guns went missing again.
39:35D. Quite recently, two days ago, they say equipment are missing and it's not hose and worker as they would
39:44have said in the newspaper report.
39:46D. And I suspect it is huge equipment and there's where I'm going and I hope it hasn't been gone
39:53to the Gravel Prince.
39:54D. Putting all of that together, plus the Cycling Federation activity that was held in the Skinner Park, it is
40:05alleged and I gave it at a station that that event was held there because it was cursed into holding
40:14it because the corporation was paying them to have it there.
40:17D. All those four attributes, and they say, when you hear something say, and this is what I'm saying, should
40:26an investigation be done, a serious investigation to respect to that operation?
40:34D. And in all criminal enterprise, it has a leader and we know who's the leader.
40:39D. Not going to call who's the leader, but we know there's a leader for that.
40:43D. The second thing, I want to congratulate the police.
40:46D. You see, the 12th school, four of them died in exchange of gunfire.
40:51D. And you know what it has done to me, it makes me happy.
40:54D. That is equivalent to $6 million of sacked payers in payers.
40:59D. 25,000 a month after the general say to house them in a prison for four years.
41:04D. It might have to take four years for that case to be finished.
41:07D. So you see, that's $6 million.
41:09D. I go on and listen to your comment over.
41:11D. Alright, thank you so much.
41:13D. Miss Sally, we'll respond to the call after the break.
41:15D. We'll be back.
41:15D. Welcome to Holiday Inn Express and Spice.
41:33D. Whatever you're here for, we're here for you.
42:00D. Stay smart at the Holiday Inn Express and Sweets.
42:30D. You won't be defined by time.
42:34D. You'll own every minute of it.
42:37D. Discover how you can age vibrantly with the live.
42:42D. Some of us like to test limits.
42:45D. But there won't always be second chances.
42:49D. Obey the speed limits.
42:50D. Maybe you don't value your life, but others value theirs.
42:57D. A message from the TTPS.
43:18D. And we are back.
43:19D. Mr. Ali, you could respond to the caller at this time.
43:21D. Well, caller, thank you very much.
43:22D. You have given me quite a lot.
43:24D. And I think your message is clear in terms of looking at that particular area
43:27and probably a need for probably not only an investigation based on your information,
43:32but perhaps a thorough audit of the operations.
43:36D. And, you know, I hope that that fall in fertile ground and, you know, we'll see what happens next.
43:42D. But, you know, very, very sensitive matters that you have raised.
43:46D. And I hope that the authorities in a multi-dimensional, sorry, multi-discipline, you know, look at those areas
43:53because we are not only looking from a national police context, but also from a local government context.
43:59D. But thank you very much for your submissions.
44:01D. Now, Mr. Ali, you went to Tobago, Signal Hill, and you were speaking to young persons,
44:05and we saw on social media that continues to make its rounds where we saw some students who attacked an
44:13alderman.
44:13Not knowing he's an alderman, it doesn't matter.
44:15He's an adult dealing with a situation.
44:17Now, according to the Trinidad Express, the chairman of the PNM's Port of Spain South constituency executive,
44:24Alderman Wayne Griffith, said a group of belligerent Tranquility government secondary school students
44:29beat him up after he attempted to intervene in a fight on Monday afternoon.
44:34A 30-second video of the incident showing a female student punching the alderman,
44:39grabbing his t-shirt, throwing him to the ground,
44:42and other students punching and kicking him had been circulating on social media.
44:47Griffith, in a phone interview yesterday, said the incident occurred around 2.30 p.m.
44:52He says, and I quote,
44:54I was on Dundonald Street approaching the corner of New Street when I saw a number of students impeding my
45:01ability to go forward.
45:02The children were in the middle of the road.
45:04I had to stop.
45:06Upon stopping, I saw the children fighting.
45:08I recognized over a dozen children were holding on to a little boy, holding and beating him.
45:14A young lady, about 15 or 16 years old, held him in a chokehold.
45:19The rest of the students were beating him up or beating him to a pulp.
45:23He added, I came out of my vehicle and I asked them to disperse.
45:28He tried to part the young lady.
45:30I pulled both of them aside immediately.
45:33This young lady cuffed me straight in my mouth.
45:36I tried to take evasive action.
45:39She was consistently pursuing me.
45:42I tripped and I fell.
45:44I was dealt further blows kicked to my head.
45:46My body was battered.
45:47I was badly beaten.
45:49Griffith, 62, said despite the severe pain, he had the presence of mind to refrain from retaliating.
45:57Well, Whitney, while we are very heavy on prevention, and it's important for us to look at prevention,
46:02when you see something like this, this is where the balance must be struck,
46:07in terms of when you are seeing very serious acts of violence involving our nation's children.
46:11I am aware that there is an investigation that has been ordered in relation to this matter,
46:15and I hope that a deep investigation is done that goes beyond the students.
46:20And I want to make mention of that, that the investigation goes beyond the students,
46:24because these children, they come from a particular home, they have parents, they have guardians,
46:29and it's important for us to investigate it to that extent,
46:32because you do not want a situation where you are stopping at the child's or the student level,
46:37when the parent may have been in neglect or failing to exercise supervision,
46:42to ensure that these children understand the conduct that is required of them,
46:47both in school and out of school.
46:49So these are very serious circumstances, and from the injuries that you have identified,
46:53from the statement of the individual, definitely there is a need for a criminal investigation,
46:58and let's see where that criminal investigation goes.
47:00But these things should not be condoned.
47:03Just my humble opinion and observation, I think the children who do this and continue to do this,
47:08believe that nothing is going to happen to them, and I believe so too.
47:10I think it is just going to roll over, and we will see our next situation,
47:15because we have seen children attack police officers as well, in uniform, and they don't care.
47:21Well, let's hope that your statement brings alive the police investigation to prove you wrong,
47:26to be able to find the evidence, because if you have already what we have seen there,
47:30if that is packaged properly, you already have some form of evidence.
47:33You already seen persons who are perpetrators in the video.
47:36You already have a victim who spoke at length in terms of what transpired,
47:39and I'm sure that there may be CCTV cameras, there may be persons observing,
47:43and then you have the opportunity to interview persons.
47:45So I think that all is well positioned for the citizenry to see what comes out of this investigation.
47:51I'm happy that you, notwithstanding your position on this platform,
47:56but as a citizen of this country, making a solid call for justice to be delivered in these circumstances.
48:02Because, okay, hear me out here.
48:04Yes.
48:05Oh, we have a caller. My apologies. Let me not let the caller.
48:07Sure.
48:07We call out. My apologies. Good evening.
48:10That's okay to be with me.
48:11Let's tell you what I am, Mr. Ali.
48:13Yes.
48:13Good afternoon to you, sir.
48:15Mr. Ali, no, I'll get scared of this country.
48:18You see that it's a law where they bring out their way of camp,
48:22shoot them bandits from behind,
48:23and they take an advantage of people in this country,
48:26and they're shooting people in this country.
48:27They want to shoot police and guns from behind,
48:30and get targeted.
48:32That's why I don't.
48:32And I recommend it to the EPS.
48:35So this is the specialist police officers in the room.
48:39All them,
48:41drink all these wicked people.
48:44People in the city.
48:46All these murderers and them.
48:48Terrorists.
48:49And these police should be getting a better salary than what I believe they get.
48:53No more money can bring back them when they've lost time.
48:56So the last three years,
48:57we lost a lot of police officers,
48:58and I think that salary,
49:01that is mega salary the police and them get in there.
49:03I mean, that's good enough.
49:05That is not their duty.
49:06Office duty, you know,
49:07that is a risk in life and live,
49:09going to abandon the guerrilla life,
49:11and salary should be adjusted to a higher amount
49:15if it were to fight the crime and get results.
49:17Have a good one.
49:18Thanks a lot.
49:19Yes, Ali.
49:20Well, thank you very much.
49:21I'm sure that the association,
49:22the police service will be very happy to hear how you have spoken this afternoon,
49:26recognizing that the level of risk that is associated with policing
49:29and the mandate that the police has for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,
49:36perhaps that should impact their pay package.
49:38But, again, another caller, again,
49:40recognizing the need for excellent policing, Whitney.
49:43But just to go back to your point,
49:44I'm happy that you, to go back to the history of the students assaulting,
49:48or allegedly assaulting the...
49:50No, no, allegedly.
49:52The assaults are demand.
49:53Well, until I, you know,
49:54I have to be very circumspect in terms of how I behave,
49:56because I'm seeing a video, you know,
49:57but I'm just saying that I'm happy that you made that call
50:02for a conclusion of an investigation,
50:06that there's sufficient evidence to be able to proceed to the court
50:09in relation to these matters,
50:10and we don't know the degree of engagement.
50:13But, you know, persons can sustain injuries and then die subsequently.
50:18Of course.
50:18So why are we maybe looking at assault?
50:21We don't know the degree of damage,
50:22and it's only when you get medicals and so forth.
50:25And it's, I think, 60 odd years old.
50:27Yes.
50:27So, you know, you don't know whether that person has any sensitivity as well.
50:30So the point I want to drive home is that while we are calling for prevention,
50:34I would like to see an investigation go beyond these children
50:37and go to their parents, their guardian,
50:40to really ascertain what the parents and guardians,
50:43what sort of relationship,
50:44what have they been doing with these children,
50:46and it will be very nice,
50:47and I'm just triggering some advice here,
50:50to see whether these children were already reported in a school context for their behavior,
50:56or they would have been spoken to,
50:58and see how involved their parents were in relation to their activities,
51:02so that other actions can be taken where the parents are concerned.
51:05All right, we have another caller.
51:06Caller, good evening.
51:08Hello?
51:37Hello, good evening.
51:39some parts of Central general where we see these invasions are taking place.
51:44If you're dead, and you have received two children in recent times, you have cast out the economy and all
51:52these things when you're dead, right?
51:54And I'm saying, if this government, who's in power now, don't really seriously consider a curfew in these areas, look,
52:03just about two weeks ago, the killing in Mova, a child died, they had bread and all that kind of
52:08thing, right?
52:09And now you come again, and next child died, right? This is not good for the international. People in the
52:15international are looking at trying to be, I am calling on this government to implement some kind of curfew to
52:22deal with this violence in these areas, Mova, Gonzalez, this area, too much criminal workers have done, and just killing
52:30people, this must stop.
52:32And Mr. Ali, you are involved with the ministry of national security apparatus. Convince them, do it, let's last this
52:41whole thing.
52:42We don't work, we see the criminals have worked on, they don't care, and they can't even have to save
52:48the children. Too much of the children died, it's hurting me, as a father, a grandfather.
52:53So see, this little child, get gunned down, right? So I'm saying, a parent's cause, it's limited, curfew in this
53:00area. We know the area, detail is inside here.
53:02Who can scam out this criminal? Thank you all very much.
53:07Thank you, Kola.
53:08Thank you, Kola. Kola, I don't need to say anything. You have urged me to make some calls. I'll try
53:13to advocate to the best that I can.
53:15And I hear your statements. I hear the pain in your voice in reference to these children.
53:20So I'll take it to the high authorities and see what happens.
53:22Apart from that, I just think our justice system needs to be swift. I am sorry.
53:28We just mentioned children, this is what I was going to reference, where they see there are no consequences for
53:33their actions and their behavior and the way in which they carry themselves and they are attacking adults, attacking persons
53:38in authority.
53:39When they see the adults who are committing criminal acts and not being dealt with the way they should be,
53:46because we don't see it as serious consequences.
53:48It's more a slap on the wrist. What do you think the younger ones operating do when they are following
53:53what they see?
53:54We are a reflection of the people that are among us. We are angry people at this point in time.
54:00It is clear.
54:01We are frustrated. And it is reaching a point where enough is enough.
54:05The justice system needs to have swift action now. The death penalty is there. Use it. Use it.
54:12Well, I see you are very, very, very, you know, very strong in your advocacy this afternoon.
54:17And, you know, in terms of you are looking at the three institutions of the state, you know, both parliament,
54:21executive and judiciary, and quite rightly so.
54:23And, you know, we need to look at it in an all-of-society approach. We have said that continuously.
54:28And, you know, I will continue to advocate. You will continue to advocate.
54:31And we hope that the decision makers recognize that there is a need for swift and prompt actions, and the
54:36citizenry is calling for that sort of response as well.
54:38But, again, condolences to the families. Unfortunate situation with the children, and hence why the preventative strategies are so important
54:46to ensure that we curve and shape the minds of our nation's children
54:49to understand that the conduct that we are seeing, the indiscipline that we are seeing, the violence that we are
54:53seeing, do not have a place in Trinidad and Tobago.
54:56And it's important for all of us to play our role because, as I said before, we could be at
55:00the wrong place at the wrong time.
55:01Yes, and it could be one of us.
55:02That's correct. So, Trinidad and Tobago, what else do you need to be reminded with? And we hope that you
55:08respond and respond positively.
55:10Ms. Sala, we'd like to thank you as usual for taking the time being here with us off of your
55:14Wednesdays. You're here on the Tuesday, but we appreciate you.
55:16Well, I realize it has a different energy.
55:18Yeah, well, listen, we just have to do better. Again, TNT, let us do better. Let us be better people
55:24when it comes to contributing to society, all right?
55:27We get ready for news coming up next at 7 o'clock. TNT, be safe. Continue being hard targets. We'll
55:32be back tomorrow, same time, same place. We're out.
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