Laventille divided over fiery stand-off
RESIDENTS of Picton Road, Laventille, were yesterday divided over Tuesday afternoon's fiery stand-off between some residents of the area and the police.
While there are those who believe the police acted horribly, others said they were so fed-up with the crime in the area that they were glad things were being done, no matter how.
Their comment came even as Acting Commissioner of Police, Gilbert Reyes, redeployed three police officers who were fingered by residents during their protest as being the ones who created the tense atmosphere by their actions earlier that day.
Reyes promised a thorough investigation, stating that if the allegations about the conduct of his officers prove to be correct, they would be taking decisive action, as "the Police Service cannot condone that kind of behaviour meted out to a population whom we have vowed to protect and serve".
In a release explaining what occurred, Reyes said "officers from the Inter Agency Task Force attempted to arrest an 18-year-old man for possession of a gun and marijuana. The suspect escaped and as officers attempted to search the area, the residents of the area converged on them ... threateningly, blocked the road and began to throw objects at his officers".
The protesting residents had a different version, however. They said the teenager was picked up by the police and taken to Block Eight in Laventille, where he was beaten by some young men while the police looked on. It was this they say that got them enraged, leading to their fiery protest and confrontation with police officers.
Yesterday afternoon things were relatively calm compared to the day before, where it was described as a "battle zone".
One man, who said that he did not want to be named, alleged that some of the young men protesting were part of a gang who had earlier this year shot a shopkeeper during a robbery in the area.
"Some of them same young men broke into my house and steal enough things," he added angrily.
"Where were you all (media) when they were throwing stones at the police?...where were you all when they was firing shots in the air?"
Another man added, "People saying this and that about what taking place. Is a set ah youths doing s___!"
Another man had a similar opinion.
"Let them children and them kill out each other," he slammed.
Other residents had a different view.
"They victimising the youths and dem," said a woman.
"I remember for the Easter long weekend they just take ah set ah youths from here and lock them up just so," said another resident.
She added, "And when yuh go by the station to ask for them they giving you a set ah run-around."
"It eh have no robbery thing around here," said a young man, "is men from Block Eight does come in we area and do thing ... and the police and them know this."
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