78 children still missing in T&T
Richard Charan South Bureau
Thursday, June 18th 2009
The discovery of the body of Tecia Henry in John John yesterday means there are now only 78 children still
missing in this country as of January 2006.
This figure is the one given on Tuesday by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for
Crime and Operations. It represents the investigations that remain open in cases of persons under the age
of 18 reported missing. During that period, some 793 children were reported missing.
Police believe the majority of the cases are runaways and family abductions. But among the unsolved cases
are the ones dark and disturbing, all with a common thread-failure by police to act with speed and purpose
to search and find.
There is the case of eight-year-old Leah Lammy, who disappeared February 10 after leaving her school to travel
to the family home at Tom Street, Longdenville.
There is also the matter of Rhiana Parag, a 16-year-old schoolgirl of Nelson Street, Longdenville, who travelled
into Chaguanas on December 16 and was never to be seen again. Another Laventille girl, Shanta Thompson, a
14-year-old of Sapodilla Trace, vanished on May 22, while Nikitta Joseph Harper, a 15-year-old Arima schoolgirl,
got into a maxi-taxi on May 27 and has not been seen since.
As of yesterday, there were 15 children still missing in this country for 2009, based on the statistics provided by
the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch of the Police Service.
For the year, 396 people were reported missing. Some 363 have been accounted for. Of this figure, 16 turned up
dead, 14 ended up in hospital, 12 were found in prison and 321 returned home.
Fifteen of the 33 people still classified as missing are under the age of 18.
And there is another troubling statistic: of the five kidnappings for ransom this year, four were children.
Last year, of the 608 people reported missing, 315 were children. Of the 35 people still missing, seven are children.
Thursday, June 18th 2009
The discovery of the body of Tecia Henry in John John yesterday means there are now only 78 children still
missing in this country as of January 2006.
This figure is the one given on Tuesday by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for
Crime and Operations. It represents the investigations that remain open in cases of persons under the age
of 18 reported missing. During that period, some 793 children were reported missing.
Police believe the majority of the cases are runaways and family abductions. But among the unsolved cases
are the ones dark and disturbing, all with a common thread-failure by police to act with speed and purpose
to search and find.
There is the case of eight-year-old Leah Lammy, who disappeared February 10 after leaving her school to travel
to the family home at Tom Street, Longdenville.
There is also the matter of Rhiana Parag, a 16-year-old schoolgirl of Nelson Street, Longdenville, who travelled
into Chaguanas on December 16 and was never to be seen again. Another Laventille girl, Shanta Thompson, a
14-year-old of Sapodilla Trace, vanished on May 22, while Nikitta Joseph Harper, a 15-year-old Arima schoolgirl,
got into a maxi-taxi on May 27 and has not been seen since.
As of yesterday, there were 15 children still missing in this country for 2009, based on the statistics provided by
the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch of the Police Service.
For the year, 396 people were reported missing. Some 363 have been accounted for. Of this figure, 16 turned up
dead, 14 ended up in hospital, 12 were found in prison and 321 returned home.
Fifteen of the 33 people still classified as missing are under the age of 18.
And there is another troubling statistic: of the five kidnappings for ransom this year, four were children.
Last year, of the 608 people reported missing, 315 were children. Of the 35 people still missing, seven are children.
19 JAILBIRDS SENT BACK TO TnT
Darryl Heeralal
Trinidad Express
Wednesday, June 3rd 2009
SOME 19 criminal deportees from the United States came into the country on Monday, and 26 more are expected by next week.
The 19 who landed at the Piarco International Airport around 2 p.m. and are aged between 27 and 56 years, were deported after serving jail time in the US for crimes ranging from murder, to robbery and illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
The issue of criminal deportees and their involvement and influence in local crimes has been well documented since the US started returning convicted criminals to Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1990s. The same problem exists in several other islands including, Jamaica and Barbados.
At a recent meeting of Caricom attorneys general in Barbados the issue was discussed, with the US saying that it would help the region deal with the problem.
Yesterday, Wayne Chance, of Vision on Mission (VoM), a non-profit group that helps reorient some criminal deportees back into mainstream society, admitted that criminal deportees were having an influence on crime, but questioned whether their involvement was in the majority.
Chance said the majority of crimes committed were being perpetrated by locals, but that within recent times his organisation was seeing an increase in the number of deportees being arrested and charged.
Since 2004, VoM has helped to reintegrate over 300 criminal deportees.
A displacement unit within the Ministry of Social Development refers criminal deportees who do not have families here to the VoM, where they are housed between three and six months. On Monday, five of the returning 19 were referred to the VoM.
Chance said that since his group started taking in criminal deportees, only two have been arrested, one on a loitering charge and another who suffered a mental breakdown. He said VoM had a 99 per cent success rate in reintegrating criminal deportees.
Trinidad Express
Wednesday, June 3rd 2009
SOME 19 criminal deportees from the United States came into the country on Monday, and 26 more are expected by next week.
The 19 who landed at the Piarco International Airport around 2 p.m. and are aged between 27 and 56 years, were deported after serving jail time in the US for crimes ranging from murder, to robbery and illegal possession of arms and ammunition.
The issue of criminal deportees and their involvement and influence in local crimes has been well documented since the US started returning convicted criminals to Trinidad and Tobago in the late 1990s. The same problem exists in several other islands including, Jamaica and Barbados.
At a recent meeting of Caricom attorneys general in Barbados the issue was discussed, with the US saying that it would help the region deal with the problem.
Yesterday, Wayne Chance, of Vision on Mission (VoM), a non-profit group that helps reorient some criminal deportees back into mainstream society, admitted that criminal deportees were having an influence on crime, but questioned whether their involvement was in the majority.
Chance said the majority of crimes committed were being perpetrated by locals, but that within recent times his organisation was seeing an increase in the number of deportees being arrested and charged.
Since 2004, VoM has helped to reintegrate over 300 criminal deportees.
A displacement unit within the Ministry of Social Development refers criminal deportees who do not have families here to the VoM, where they are housed between three and six months. On Monday, five of the returning 19 were referred to the VoM.
Chance said that since his group started taking in criminal deportees, only two have been arrested, one on a loitering charge and another who suffered a mental breakdown. He said VoM had a 99 per cent success rate in reintegrating criminal deportees.
Crime Report from Trinidad Express Dated May 18th, 2009
AS the country awaits the unveiling of the newest crime plan, criminals have gone about their business murdering and robbing citizens, more than they did last year.
First-quarter crime figures have shown an increase in murders and robberies this over as compared with the same period last year.
Murders have gone up by over a fifth, 21.69 per cent and 441 more people have been robbed this year, an increase of 44.95 per cent as compared with the first quarter of 2008.
And compared with our Caribbean neighbour to the north, Jamaica, a country that has been the benchmark for regional violence, Trinidad and Tobago is in a worse-off position.
In Jamaica, there was a reduction in murders of almost six per cent for the first quarter of 2009, and a drop in shootings.
There was an increase in robberies, though, of 35.55 per cent on that island. However, this is no comfort to us as more people have been robbed in Trinidad and Tobago this year, 1,422 as compared to 713 in Jamaica.
On April 21, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that a new crime plan would be unveiled in three weeks' time.
The three-week mark has gone and National Security Minister Martin Joseph said recently that it was still being reviewed by the National Security Council.
Urban violence, fuelled by gang rivalry, remains the biggest source of carnage with the Port of Spain district accounting for close to a quarter of all the murders committed for the first quarter of 2009.
The Port of Spain Police Division, which is geographically less than one-tenth the size of Trinidad and Tobago, has recorded 32 of the 129 murders for the period, 24.80 per cent.
The high number, the result of gang fights in Laventille, East Dry River and parts of Belmont, police say.
The East-West Corridor continues to be the most violent place on the islands, accounting for over three-quarter of the country's murders.
The rest of Trinidad and Tobago, which makes up more than three-quarter of the islands' land mass, has recorded only 32 of the 129 murders up to March 31.
A total of 97 murders were committed between Carenage and Arima, 75.19 per cent, with the Port of Spain Division with the most homicides, 32, followed by the Northern Division (Arima to St Joseph) 25, Western Division (Carenage to St James), 20, and North Eastern Division (Morvant to San Juan), 20.
The story in the various police divisions for woundings and shootings is the same with 29 victims out of 144 in Port of Spain (20.13 per cent), followed by North Eastern, 25, (17.36 per cent, Western, 24, (16.66 per cent) and Northern, 17, (11.60 per cent).
A total of 95, just fractionally under two-thirds of the overall figure of 144.
Overall, woundings and shootings have decreased by 11.11 per cent this year (144) as compared with 162 last year.
But for robberies the pattern of violence is a bit different with high percentages of the crime taking place in the Southern and Central Divisions, with both divisions accounting for just under 30 per cent of the overall figure.
Northern Division is again in the lead with 339 robberies (23.83 per cent, followed by Port of Spain, 266, (18.70 per cent), Southern, 213, (14.97 per cent and then Central 210 (14.76 per cent).
What also continues to be a worry is the low detection rates for crime especially robbery.
Of the 1,422 robberies committed only 146 have been detected (10.26 per cent).
For murders, only 21 (16.27 per cent) of the 129 have been detected and, of the 144 woundings and shootings, 32 have been detected (22.22 per cent).
There has been a decrease in the number of accident deaths by almost 30 per cent this year over last year.
In the first quarter of 2008, 64 people were killed in accidents, compared to 45 this year, a drop of 29.68 per cent.
Following are various tables showing crime figures; (Table not provided)
The figures were provided by the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch (CAPA) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Jamaican Constabulary Force.
NB- In Trinidad and Tobago woundings and shootings are classified together while, in Jamaica, shootings are in a separate category.
First-quarter crime figures have shown an increase in murders and robberies this over as compared with the same period last year.
Murders have gone up by over a fifth, 21.69 per cent and 441 more people have been robbed this year, an increase of 44.95 per cent as compared with the first quarter of 2008.
And compared with our Caribbean neighbour to the north, Jamaica, a country that has been the benchmark for regional violence, Trinidad and Tobago is in a worse-off position.
In Jamaica, there was a reduction in murders of almost six per cent for the first quarter of 2009, and a drop in shootings.
There was an increase in robberies, though, of 35.55 per cent on that island. However, this is no comfort to us as more people have been robbed in Trinidad and Tobago this year, 1,422 as compared to 713 in Jamaica.
On April 21, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that a new crime plan would be unveiled in three weeks' time.
The three-week mark has gone and National Security Minister Martin Joseph said recently that it was still being reviewed by the National Security Council.
Urban violence, fuelled by gang rivalry, remains the biggest source of carnage with the Port of Spain district accounting for close to a quarter of all the murders committed for the first quarter of 2009.
The Port of Spain Police Division, which is geographically less than one-tenth the size of Trinidad and Tobago, has recorded 32 of the 129 murders for the period, 24.80 per cent.
The high number, the result of gang fights in Laventille, East Dry River and parts of Belmont, police say.
The East-West Corridor continues to be the most violent place on the islands, accounting for over three-quarter of the country's murders.
The rest of Trinidad and Tobago, which makes up more than three-quarter of the islands' land mass, has recorded only 32 of the 129 murders up to March 31.
A total of 97 murders were committed between Carenage and Arima, 75.19 per cent, with the Port of Spain Division with the most homicides, 32, followed by the Northern Division (Arima to St Joseph) 25, Western Division (Carenage to St James), 20, and North Eastern Division (Morvant to San Juan), 20.
The story in the various police divisions for woundings and shootings is the same with 29 victims out of 144 in Port of Spain (20.13 per cent), followed by North Eastern, 25, (17.36 per cent, Western, 24, (16.66 per cent) and Northern, 17, (11.60 per cent).
A total of 95, just fractionally under two-thirds of the overall figure of 144.
Overall, woundings and shootings have decreased by 11.11 per cent this year (144) as compared with 162 last year.
But for robberies the pattern of violence is a bit different with high percentages of the crime taking place in the Southern and Central Divisions, with both divisions accounting for just under 30 per cent of the overall figure.
Northern Division is again in the lead with 339 robberies (23.83 per cent, followed by Port of Spain, 266, (18.70 per cent), Southern, 213, (14.97 per cent and then Central 210 (14.76 per cent).
What also continues to be a worry is the low detection rates for crime especially robbery.
Of the 1,422 robberies committed only 146 have been detected (10.26 per cent).
For murders, only 21 (16.27 per cent) of the 129 have been detected and, of the 144 woundings and shootings, 32 have been detected (22.22 per cent).
There has been a decrease in the number of accident deaths by almost 30 per cent this year over last year.
In the first quarter of 2008, 64 people were killed in accidents, compared to 45 this year, a drop of 29.68 per cent.
Following are various tables showing crime figures; (Table not provided)
The figures were provided by the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch (CAPA) of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Jamaican Constabulary Force.
NB- In Trinidad and Tobago woundings and shootings are classified together while, in Jamaica, shootings are in a separate category.
Government Web Sites Reports:
Police no longer required to wait 24 hours in missing persons report
Minister of National Security, Senator the Hon. Martin Joseph In 2006, the Police Service amended its definition of “missing person” by removing the 24-hour waiting period that was previously required to elapse before the Police could classify a person as “missing”.
Written Response of the Honourable Minister of National Security to Senate Question No. 18 of the Second Session (2009) Of the Ninth Parliament on February 10 2009
QUESTION:
“(A) Could the Minister provide this Senate with:
(i) a list of the steps taken by Police and the Immigration authorities to locate persons reported missing for the year 2008; and
(ii) a detailed list of missing persons for the year 2008;
(B) Could the Minister state whether any investigations have been conducted by the Police Service into allegations of human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago?”
RESPONSE:
(A) (i) In recognition of the immense trauma and anxiety suffered by persons whose loved ones go missing, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has implemented a number of administrative and operational initiatives, aimed at enhancing the entire process from reporting to investigation and resolution. Among the more critical initiatives introduced are the amendment of the definition of a “missing person” and the institution of specific procedures for receiving and closing a report.
In 2006, the Police Service amended its definition of “missing person” by removing the 24-hour waiting period that was previously required to elapse before the Police could classify a person as “missing”. This amendment essentially allowed for more immediate action by the Police, thereby increasing the potential for more successful outcomes. Currently, therefore, a “missing person” is defined as “a person who has not been seen or heard from and who has been reported missing by a person interested in or responsible for that other person’s welfare, notwithstanding the time that the person has not been seen or heard from or expected to have been seen or heard from”.
The Police Service has also mandated that the Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU) become involved at the start of the investigation into a missing person report and developed specific procedures that must be followed by all Officers receiving a report. These are outlined at the Attachment.
Further, all Divisions are mandated to continue investigations into missing persons and keep updated, the status of all reports of missing persons. Statistical data must be continuously reviewed to ensure that a proper count of the number of reports is maintained, with reports classified based on the circumstances surrounding the report and location of the missing person. Comprehensive profiles are also compiled on the missing persons, with a view to having their names and photographs published in the print and electronic media, as and when necessary.
In addition to its internal mechanisms, the Police Service also collaborates with a number of strategic partners in their investigations. These include the Immigration Division, the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, the Water and Sewerage Authority, Board of Inland Revenue, the National Insurance Board, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and Health Institutions.
In the case of the Immigration Division in particular, while that Division does not directly receive reports of missing persons, it plays a key role in monitoring the movement of persons and provides critical information to the Police Service, through its Integrated Border Management System (IBMS), in ascertaining whether such persons have travelled out of the country. If there is no evidence of travel at the point of time of the inquiry, an alert is sent to Immigration Officers at all ports of entry to monitor departures, with a view to locating the person (s) in question.
When a “missing person” is located, there is also a set procedure that the Police Service follows, which includes interviewing the person and recording a statement and ensuring that the administrative records are updated and the updated information is forwarded to all relevant departments. It should be noted that a “missing person” report can be cancelled/closed only on the written instructions of a First Division Officer in cases where:
a) The person has been located and a criminal offence is disclosed
b) The person is located and no criminal offence is disclosed.
(ii) The TTPS has advised that it would be inappropriate to disclose the identities of all missing persons as there are certain cases that are sensitive. However, provided in the table hereunder are the details of the age and sex of missing persons for the year 2008:
MISSING PERSONS FOR THE YEAR 2008 BY AGE GROUP AND SEX
Sex Age Group:0-12 13-25 26-38 39-59 60 & over TOTAL
Male 16 95 59 55 20 245
Female 25 280 32 16 10 363
TOTAL 41 375 91 71 30 608
Of the six hundred and eight (608) persons reported missing for the year 2008, five hundred and seventy three (573) or 94.2% of them were accounted for, while thirty-five (35) cases remain outstanding.
(B) With respect to the issue of human trafficking or trafficking in persons, reports from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Immigration Division indicate that there is no evidence available to suggest that persons are being trafficked out of the country. However, there have been cases where the Immigration Division has had cause to conduct investigations on persons being trafficked into the country, based on information obtained from anonymous sources, as well as reports made by other Governments.
In all cases where persons, based on the circumstances, are determined to be victims of human trafficking, such persons are placed in ‘safe houses’ and a travel document is obtained through their respective Government representative, to facilitate their return home. Upon receipt of the travel documents, the Immigration Division ensures their safe departure to their homeland.
Given the increasing global and national attention to the issue, the Immigration Division has taken steps to ensure that the Organization and its members are adequately equipped to treat with the issue, by undertaking the following initiatives:
Written Response of the Honourable Minister of National Security to Senate Question No. 18 of the Second Session (2009) Of the Ninth Parliament on February 10 2009
QUESTION:
“(A) Could the Minister provide this Senate with:
(i) a list of the steps taken by Police and the Immigration authorities to locate persons reported missing for the year 2008; and
(ii) a detailed list of missing persons for the year 2008;
(B) Could the Minister state whether any investigations have been conducted by the Police Service into allegations of human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago?”
RESPONSE:
(A) (i) In recognition of the immense trauma and anxiety suffered by persons whose loved ones go missing, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has implemented a number of administrative and operational initiatives, aimed at enhancing the entire process from reporting to investigation and resolution. Among the more critical initiatives introduced are the amendment of the definition of a “missing person” and the institution of specific procedures for receiving and closing a report.
In 2006, the Police Service amended its definition of “missing person” by removing the 24-hour waiting period that was previously required to elapse before the Police could classify a person as “missing”. This amendment essentially allowed for more immediate action by the Police, thereby increasing the potential for more successful outcomes. Currently, therefore, a “missing person” is defined as “a person who has not been seen or heard from and who has been reported missing by a person interested in or responsible for that other person’s welfare, notwithstanding the time that the person has not been seen or heard from or expected to have been seen or heard from”.
The Police Service has also mandated that the Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU) become involved at the start of the investigation into a missing person report and developed specific procedures that must be followed by all Officers receiving a report. These are outlined at the Attachment.
Further, all Divisions are mandated to continue investigations into missing persons and keep updated, the status of all reports of missing persons. Statistical data must be continuously reviewed to ensure that a proper count of the number of reports is maintained, with reports classified based on the circumstances surrounding the report and location of the missing person. Comprehensive profiles are also compiled on the missing persons, with a view to having their names and photographs published in the print and electronic media, as and when necessary.
In addition to its internal mechanisms, the Police Service also collaborates with a number of strategic partners in their investigations. These include the Immigration Division, the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission, the Water and Sewerage Authority, Board of Inland Revenue, the National Insurance Board, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service and Health Institutions.
In the case of the Immigration Division in particular, while that Division does not directly receive reports of missing persons, it plays a key role in monitoring the movement of persons and provides critical information to the Police Service, through its Integrated Border Management System (IBMS), in ascertaining whether such persons have travelled out of the country. If there is no evidence of travel at the point of time of the inquiry, an alert is sent to Immigration Officers at all ports of entry to monitor departures, with a view to locating the person (s) in question.
When a “missing person” is located, there is also a set procedure that the Police Service follows, which includes interviewing the person and recording a statement and ensuring that the administrative records are updated and the updated information is forwarded to all relevant departments. It should be noted that a “missing person” report can be cancelled/closed only on the written instructions of a First Division Officer in cases where:
a) The person has been located and a criminal offence is disclosed
b) The person is located and no criminal offence is disclosed.
(ii) The TTPS has advised that it would be inappropriate to disclose the identities of all missing persons as there are certain cases that are sensitive. However, provided in the table hereunder are the details of the age and sex of missing persons for the year 2008:
MISSING PERSONS FOR THE YEAR 2008 BY AGE GROUP AND SEX
Sex Age Group:0-12 13-25 26-38 39-59 60 & over TOTAL
Male 16 95 59 55 20 245
Female 25 280 32 16 10 363
TOTAL 41 375 91 71 30 608
Of the six hundred and eight (608) persons reported missing for the year 2008, five hundred and seventy three (573) or 94.2% of them were accounted for, while thirty-five (35) cases remain outstanding.
(B) With respect to the issue of human trafficking or trafficking in persons, reports from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Immigration Division indicate that there is no evidence available to suggest that persons are being trafficked out of the country. However, there have been cases where the Immigration Division has had cause to conduct investigations on persons being trafficked into the country, based on information obtained from anonymous sources, as well as reports made by other Governments.
In all cases where persons, based on the circumstances, are determined to be victims of human trafficking, such persons are placed in ‘safe houses’ and a travel document is obtained through their respective Government representative, to facilitate their return home. Upon receipt of the travel documents, the Immigration Division ensures their safe departure to their homeland.
Given the increasing global and national attention to the issue, the Immigration Division has taken steps to ensure that the Organization and its members are adequately equipped to treat with the issue, by undertaking the following initiatives: