RECENT police evaluation has showed that the crime rate in North Ruimveldt can now be equated to those in Warlock and in North East La Penitence -– communities reputed for being criminal hotspots.Officer-in-Charge of the East La Penitence Police Station, Inspector Joe, made this disclosure as he addressed a recent ‘call to action’ forum held at the North Ruimveldt Lions Club, at which concerned residents sought to address the worrying crime situation in the neighbourhood.

That forum was held to map out a crime prevention strategy with a focus on youth, recreate a vibrant Community Policing Group, and start regular patrols aimed at restoring peace, family togetherness and the feeling of safety that once prevailed in the community.

YOUTH AND CRIME
Residents of Festival City and North Ruimveldt are condemning the wanton attacks of rape, robbery, murder and car-jackings being perpetrated on the community; but what has been the major concern lately, Inspector Joe said, is that a lot of the crime being committed in North Ruimveldt and its environs is being done by youths.

Accordingly, the meeting placed a high premium on developing programmes aimed at engaging and reforming vulnerable young people (though in the minority), and helping them to become productive and law-abiding citizens.
Joe, who has been attached to the East La Penitence Police Station for just under two months, said that within that time he has noticed that North Ruimveldt has a high level of crime of a ‘certain nature’.

“There is so much crime going on in this area (North Ruimveldt) and the Warlock area and North East area; and these crimes being carried out on people of this area are being done by people from this same area. So they can’t say they don’t know these people,” the officer remarked.

A leader at the community policing group level added that the community believes its youths have tremendous potential, but may have been neglected for too long, hence the task now is to move speedily to “take them back” from the throes of the adversary.

BREAKTHROUGH
Inspector Joe reported police success in dealing with several matters, including the nabbing of a group of young male ‘car-jackers’ and a woman.

But while being aware of the need to work with the youth to reshape their thinking and desires, and ultimately deter their involvement in crime, the officer made the point that solving crime is not about focusing on one area. Crime is multi-dimensional and crime is everybody’s business, he said.

“Yes, we can look at the development of youngsters, but there are other people behind these criminal activities. If there is no buyer, there can’t be a thief,” Inspector Joe posited. He advised residents to report to the police any untoward or illegal activity they observe, while another security officer advised that residents know their neighbours’ cell phone numbers so they can alert them if they observe anything untoward.

Residents raised concerns about the confidentiality of policemen, and the fear of their names getting back to the offenders or their families. In response, Inspector Joe made the point that, in solving crime, there must be a collaborative endeavour between the police and the people.

“The police can only work if there is collaboration with a community to solve crime,” he said.

He implored residents to have in the police that level of confidence that would cause them to report crime as it happens.
“We are not there when the crime happens, so the people of the community will have to inform us, and will have to pass on information; and this is all part of information and intelligence gathering,” Inspector Joe said.

The officer said what could be disconcerting is that, when the police reach a certain level in their investigations, the same people who reported the matter just decide that they don’t want to pursue it any longer.

Residents also complained about tardy police responses to reports made by citizens. They said they were being given the same old excuse about police not having transportation to visit crime scenes, lack of police confidentiality when citizens give them a tip-off about crime; and more recently, “Sorry madam, I can’t help you; I’m in here alone. Call back later, please.”

“Even though police response might not always be what people want in terms of patrols and the like, we are nevertheless trying. Our business is to fight crime, and that is what we are doing; and we intend to improve on it,” Inspector Joe declared.

CONSTRAINTS
Albeit, Inspector Joe admitted that the police are working with constraints. He disclosed that the East La Penitence Police Station is responsible for an area beginning at North East La Penitence and going all the way to the back of Well Road in North Ruimveldt, and has just one patrol vehicle, which is ‘down’ at the moment. The vehicle was involved in an accident while on patrol, and should hopefully be back in operation within a week.

He, however, expressed gratitude to about six community policing groups, which he said are always willing and ready to help the East La Penitence Police Station in the execution of its duties.