That bright light you saw swooping down in front of you from a helicopter recently is part of a major new initiative in the fight against crime.
By Richard LordAerial night patrols have been introduced over the East/West corridor, Director of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT), Brigadier Peter Joseph, said yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of National Security in Port of Spain, Joseph said a second helicopter will be put into operation before the end of the month to cover a wider area.
The press conference was called to give details on the recent re-introduction of joint army/police patrols in selected communities.
Joseph also promised new measures to fight crime: "In the coming weeks this country can expect to see further results of all the labour and investment that have gone into making this organisation a reality. The public will witness a number of new procedures and techniques introduced to enhance our crime-fighting capabilities."
Joseph said the aerial patrols are being conducted by the unit's night-sun equipped helicopter, and a second such helicopter will be used for the same objective in Central and South Trinidad by month's end.
According to Joseph, the aerial patrols are being conducted "in support of the Inter-Agency Task Force and other branches of the Police Service".
Noting that citizens have been expressing concern about the patrols in their neighbourhoods, Joseph appealed to the public "to bear with us during the course of these operations".
He said while "they are unusual and may cause some initial irritation and discomfort, they represent a new and significant capability in the fight against crime, and we expect these activities to serve as a major deterrence, detection and response".
But Joseph was quick to point out that immediate success was not likely as the new measures would take time. The measures, he said, have to work as part of the overall fight against crime. Asked to comment on the success of his unit since inception, he said kidnappings have been lower because of the work of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad SAUTT and other police units.
"There is no magic wand in solving crime. If you want to deal with the whole crime issue, you must understand that it takes time, collaboration and new procedures that will solve our problems."
He said the crime problem took several years and did not develop yesterday.
Joseph added: "So as we work and as we introduce these new systems, it will take some time before you can actually see the impact of it."
