By Prior Beharry
Crime must be made less attractive!
This was the statement by businessman Peter George after his popular sports bar, Trotters, located on Maraval Road in Port of Spain, was robbed on Thursday night.
George confirmed the reports circulating on social media about the robbery, which involved staff and patrons around 10.30 pm.
Speaking to AZP News on Friday, George stated, “Crime has to be made less attractive.”
He noted that there were about seven customers when four men entered the bar in pairs, one of whom was armed with a gun.
George described the crime as opportunistic.
He praised the police for their quick response, specifically commending Sgt Brent Batson and officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol units.
Batson informed AZP News that after receiving a wireless communication, the officers on patrol went to Trotters and spoke to the victims, who reported that the suspects had fled toward Queen’s Park Savannah.
He added that officers from the Port of Spain Task Force also joined the search, leading to the arrest of one suspect on a street in St Clair.
Batson indicated that the suspect was taken back to Trotters, where customers identified him as resembling one of the robbers. CCTV footage was also utilised in the investigation. The suspect has since been handed over to the CID.
According to Batson, cell phones and wallets were stolen from patrons during the robbery.
George mentioned that some victims of the crime were traumatised but were relieved that the police apprehended a suspect.
He attributed the rise in crime to poor policy decisions and a continued reliance on non-aggressive measures.
George said that the solution to the crime problem lies in “starving the demand by establishing a robust education system and ensuring safe access to public spaces.”
He stressed the need to avoid reactive measures by authorities, such as states of emergency, the suspension of individual rights and travel restrictions.
