00:00And while Prime Minister Kamala Pesan-Besasa has urged residents of Maloney Gardens to stay strong,
00:06many are still trying to grapple with the restrictions imposed in their community.
00:11Charlotte Kisto visited the area and files this report.
00:15It's been less than 24 hours since Maloney Gardens was declared a closed area,
00:20but residents say the impact is already being felt.
00:24Businesses have shut their doors, movement has been restricted,
00:27and many are now asking what the coming days and weeks will look like under the heightened security measures.
00:34While the police operation is aimed at addressing crime,
00:37residents say there's more to Maloney than the violence that has brought the community into the spotlight.
00:58For Terence George, the decision to intensify police presence in the community raises questions
01:04about whether enough consideration was given to the positive changes taking place in Maloney.
01:10He believes the community's challenges go beyond crime,
01:14pointing instead to the loss of employment opportunities and social programs.
01:18Maloney is a safe place. Maloney has no problem.
01:21Right now, I see problems since CPEP closed down, URP closed down the whole thing.
01:27My shop slowed down with work. My shop slowed down with work.
01:30My shop slowed down with work. My shop needs to be run.
01:31This is the in November.
01:34And the kind of work I used to get, since the government come in power,
01:38me ain't gonna work again.
01:40While this resident believed the extraordinary police measures are necessary,
01:44even as she acknowledged the inconvenience and restrictions being experienced by law-abiding citizens.
01:51It is necessary.
01:53I am not entirely disappointed, as well as I'm disappointed,
01:58that we will make the example concerning the bill that was passed.
02:03However, I am gathering that because of what happens in here,
02:10other communities will see the extent that the government is willing to go to,
02:16if it's to restrain us, if it's to restrict us, or if it is to fight for crime.
02:20I understand that there are lawlessness, but there are also a lot of the good outweighs the bad.
02:26Right?
02:26We have people here who are hardworking.
02:29There have people who are coming and going.
02:30There are people who are not in crime.
02:32We were the ones who felt it the most.
02:34Right?
02:34Our movement was not restricted.
02:36A lot of businesses in Maloney, including myself, had to shut down last night.
02:43Another resident who has spent most of his life in Maloney Gardens
02:46told the TV6 News off-camera that he welcomes the police initiative.
02:51He believes the operation could help remove illegal firearms from the streets
02:55and make the community safer.
02:57The concerns have also prompted questions from Member of Parliament for Trin City Maloney,
03:03Camille Robinson-Ragis, who visited the Maloney police station
03:07where she met with Senior Superintendent Frank to seek information about the lockdown.
03:12This station was built here for that exact one person.
03:15Why do we understand?
03:16This station was put here.
03:18This massive station.
03:21Who put here?
03:22He's vision on it.
03:23What has happened?
03:24Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Frank says residents will have an opportunity
03:28to raise their concerns directly with the authorities
03:31as a meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Maloney Complex.
03:36Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
03:39Those stories brings us to tonight's PeopleMeter.
03:43We ask, do the benefits of the Maloney operation outweigh the restrictions
03:48to vote text yes or no to the number 766-4886 or 766-4TV6
03:55and we'll have the results for you at the end of the newscast.
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