BUSINESS OWNERS along Charlotte Street, Port of Spain, are calling on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the city police to implement permanent solutions to the ongoing parking issues caused by illegal vending and crime.
They are asking for officers to be stationed at well-known hotspots and key exit routes used by criminals after they commit crimes.
Gregory Aboud, head of the Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA), spoke on behalf of the business community during a meeting with the TTPS police Port of Spain Division, held at the Chinese Business Association headquarters on Charlotte Street on November 6.
The meeting was initiated by Snr Supt Raymond Thom of the Port of Spain Division. Thom, accompanied by Insp Eyan of Central Police, Insp Denish Durga from PoS Operations and ASP Ramesh Soodeen. They listened to business owners share their concerns about security challenges in the area, calling for a more co-ordinated approach to improving safety.
Aboud, while acknowledging everyone needs to earn a living, argued that illegal vending, especially in front of businesses selling similar goods, should be stopped. He said this issue is not new and business owners have raised concerns for many years, yet there has been no permanent solution.
While he thanked the police for their efforts during the Christmas and Carnival seasons, he emphasised the need for long-term solutions to address both illegal vending and "snatchers" operating on Charlotte Street.
Aboud expressed frustration, saying business owners feel they are spinning in circles with no real progress. He questioned whether there was personal bias or a deliberate effort to block legitimate businesses.
“The reality is we’re dealing with an administration that seems to favour certain groups, and that’s why things aren’t being handled fairly."
He urged business owners not to accept the current situation.
Thom, who arrived about 15 minutes late, cited a lack of parking on the street. He stressed the urgent need to curb crime in the city, saying a safe environment is essential for businesses to thrive. He told the group they should feel safe approaching the police without fear if they are victims of crime.
While Thom mentioned that police operations are already in place to enhance safety, he did not provide specific details but told the business owners these efforts would continue, including an existing Christmas safety plan.
Soodeen strongly urged the group to reinstate a prior WhatsApp group chat to help fight crime, saying it can also be used as a tool for both communication and collaboration in finding lasting solutions.
Thom said he would request a meeting with the mayor of Port of Spain and the head of the city police next week to discuss the issues raised by the business group. He said their concerns would be addressed at the meeting and all relevant stakeholders would be engaged in finding concrete solutions to problems affecting the business community and the city at large.
He stressed the importance of coll
