Prime Minister wants end to Paul’s Avenue gang war

by Kirby Jackson and Junior Jarvis 20.JUL.07

A meeting between rival gangs in Paul’s Avenue should take place soon; the result of an effort by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves to bring an end to the spate of violence that has erupted in that community since the beginning of the year.{{more}}

Dr Gonsalves made the revelation to SEARCHLIGHT when questioned about statements he made last Sunday on a radio call-in programme.

Dr Gonsalves said then, that he had begun to meet with several persons in Paul’s Avenue.

“I myself, I have started over the last week or so speaking to the people in the community including the young people who are alleged to be members of various gangs,” Dr Gonsalves said on the radio programme.

Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves noted on the programme and again to SEARCHLIGHT last Monday during the lunch interval of the sitting of parliament, that he was not policing the matter.

He said rather, he was seeking to have a first hand understanding of what was taking place with a view of helping to bring the senseless gang antagonism to an end.

“The police have their job to do and they will do it,” he told SEARCHLIGHT.

Police sources indicate that they believe at least four murders, including that of the first murder victim of the year, 14-year-old teen mother Cheruice Trotman, on January 6, and six shootings since then, are linked to a “war” between two rival gangs both based in the Paul’s Avenue area.

In addition to a heavily armed presence in the area, police set up a mobile unit in the community in May, but these efforts have not put an end to the conflict and resulting bloodshed.

Dr Gonsalves also noted during his remarks on radio that contrary to popular belief, much of what is taking place does not have any real connection to drugs but rather turf and localized issues.

“The situation is both complex and straight forward, but is not given to facile interpretation or for speculation,” he said.

He also said that the situation should not be compared to what takes place in inner city Kingston, Jamaica.

He said that he believes the young people themselves, and he knows for a fact that their elder relatives, who are friends, are all looking for an end to the feud.

“Nobody wants to die,” the Prime Minister said.

The move by the Prime Minister to meet with the gang members has however been met with mixed feelings by members of the Paul’s Avenue community and Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace.

One group of residents told SEARCHLIGHT that they welcome the initiative, as it would take more than an ordinary man to come and have dialogue with both sides, in an attempt to bring peace.

They are of the view that the youths need some one in authority, who they respect, to speak to them, and more than likely they will listen.

According to one resident, the last politician to visit the area to speak with the community on any level other than in relation to elections, was the late Eddie Griffith.

Other residents are uncertain if a visit and dialogue with the Prime Minister would make much of a difference, hinting that some of the ‘gangsters’ are set in their ways.

However, the persons who spoke with SEARCHLIGHT all agree about two things: firstly that the killings and violence need to cease, and secondly the police are either unable or unwilling to resolve the situation.

Saying that he too would like to see an end to the violence in Paul’s Avenue, Opposition Leader Eustace, speaking to Searchlight on Monday, said he feels it is a matter that should be left to the police.

This move of politicians meeting with rivaling gang members is not new and as recently as last year, stirred much debate in Trinidad and Tobago.

After participating in a march against crime with residents of violence plagued Laventille, Junior Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds along with the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes met with “Community Leaders” at a Port of Spain plaza.

The “Community Leaders” aired their grouses and came up with a plan to stop violence in the crime-ridden areas.

Both ministers reportedly came under heavy fire from Prime Minister Patrick Manning for meeting with the “community leaders” to broker a deal with gangsters, as the killings and violence continued despite the peace agreement.

Boynes reportedly later backed out of the situation and said that the Ministry of National Security would take over and deal with the situation.

Dr Gonsalves however insists that his meetings with persons in Paul’s Avenue are not intended to be deal brokering events but rather to impress on the youngsters, the importance of falling in line with the law and to highlight the senselessness of the escalating crime situation.