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alexk
Guest
Robberies and home invasions are on the increase throughout the country in recent times and especially in Central Trinidad and while police promise heightened patrols to reduce instances of attacks by bandits, they are advising people to install alarm systems and other security measures as well.
Over a four-day period, bandits ran rampant in St Helena, striking three businesses and making off with thousands of dollars in cash and other valuables. Residents and business owners have since called on the police to also increase their strength in the area to match the influx.
In Freeport, Carapichaima and Couva there have also been several home invasions in which bandits have resorted to using technology, including cell phone and internet service jammers and metal detectors, to carry out their jobs.
Recently, officers of the Freeport Police Station were able to arrest six bandits in connection with two separate home invasions in the area.
Taking heed to the calls for an intervention yesterday, Central Division’s ASP Wayne Mystar assured that police patrols “will be beefed up”.
“The T&T Police Service, we have a concerted strategy and plan for heavy police patrols and police presence to make sure incidents like these are lessened,” he told the T&T Guardian yesterday.
He, however, advised home-owners and business people to implement extra security and safety measures at their respective places.
“I am asking persons to install alarm systems, extra deadbolts, make sure windows are secured and do not leave doors and windows open unnecessarily.”
On this note, the T&T Guardian was told of a new technology that enables “invisible” markings to be placed valuables which can be detected for up to seven days after they are stolen. This new technology, called “Artificial DNA”, can lead to successful prosecutions.
In a recent breakthrough last Thursday, a female domestic worker was arrested for theft of $15,000 in cash. The woman, who was arrested and charged, is expected to appear before a Couva magistrate this week.
The man behind this new technology is Rolston De Couteau, of Pro-line Audio and Security Systems. He told the T&T Guardian of the recent capture of the perpetrator using the technology.
“In this case, the notes were marked and what no one knew was that the markings are transferable and remain invisible for up to seven days. So the woman was searched and $6,000 was found in her handbag and despite denying that she stole the money, the technology was used it and it showed the markings on the notes, her hands and handbag. This was done in the presence of police officers.”
De Couteau admitted that because of the increase in robberies, a lot of home-owners and business people are gravitating to upgrading existing security surveillance cameras, installing good quality systems as first-time installations and are now looking towards “delving in the artificial DNA technology.” He said packages start as low as $200 for people to have their valuables, including electronic items, phones, cars, jewellery and cash notes, marked.
However, he suggested that people use an alarm system as their primary system.
“This would trigger a loud sound which would ward off intruders…when this is done then you can install camera systems and to complement this you can also use the artificial DNA. But the sound alarm is advisable at this time for people who cannot really afford.”