Farmers from Carlsen Field are calling for a greater police presence and patrols by the Praedial Larceny Squad following a series of robberies and recent murders in the area.
Following the discovery of a 20-year-old woman’s body in Carlsen Field on Saturday, farmers and residents are calling on the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, along with the Praedial Larceny Squad in the area, to take measures to ensure the safety of farmers who have been experiencing robberies and other criminal activities in the area.
President of the Carlsen Field Village Council, Shiraz Khan, said the incidents have affected the livelihoods of farmers and residents.
“We want to get regular patrols from the Praedial Larceny Squad, and we want to get support from the TTPS in the form of regular patrols because look at how many incidents have taken place in the last two months here. Two people got killed, eight people got shot, one person got murdered on the highway, not inside Carlsen Field. How much do we wait to see happening in Carlsen Field by people who do their acts sometimes outside or inside Carlsen Field, and do the dumping of the bodies in Carlsen Field? We need urgent attention.”
Carlsen Field, an area overgrown with bushes, used to be a place to experience agricultural activities. That has now changed, according to Mr. Khan.
“Years ago, people used to drive through Carlsen Field as a sort of excursion, and today look what it is like. People are afraid to come in here to even bring their children to see animals because they’re afraid they’ll get shot.”
The group of farmers also called on the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) to install lights around the area and to repair those blown out. Mr. Khan added that an installation of barriers would be able to offer a measure of control in the area.
“We are suggesting that we put up barriers by all the auxiliary entrance and exit and make the secondary entrance and exit remain with good lighting and cameras. For you to have some comfort, you must face some difficulties.”
TTT News reached out to the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Homeland Security for comments; however, they were attending a parliamentary session at the time.