The 6th Avenue Malick Village Council has expressed deep concern about the level of crime and violence in its community and the silence from its leaders.
In a release to the media yesterday, they said it was particularly worried about the impact violence is having on the well-being of residents, especially young children.
The Village Council claimed that it has sought a meeting with the Member of Parliament for Laventille/East Morvant Adrian Leonce, but has not been able to schedule a date.
“Your Village Council has taken note of the continued silence from our elected officials both at the Local and Central Government levels on this every serious issue currently affecting our community,” the council said.
It added that the newly elected executive wrote to “our Member of Parliament, for a meeting since June 2024 to discuss many issues that continue to plague our community, unfortunately to date the MP has not given us a date to meet with members of the Village Council.
“This continues to show the level of disrespect our community/residents continue to get from those we have elected to serve us.”
Four people have been murdered in separate incidents in the community this past week. Twenty-five-year-old Josiah Reid and 39-year-old Quacy Emmanuel were shot and killed, while 36-year-old Hakim Mitchell, a local cricketer, was shot dead when gunmen opened fire on 54-year-old Junior Olliverie who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The Village Council said it is time for action.
“We call for the establishment of a police post in the 6th Avenue Malick Community, as well as joint Army/Police Foot Patrols.
“It’s very important to understand the root causes of these problems and address them through comprehensive strategies that will provide education, training and employment opportunities, which promote positive role models and mentorship programmes, and improve access to social services and mental health resources for all,” the 6th Avenue Malick Village Council’s executive stated.
The executive said it is seeking an urgent meeting with MP Leonce, local government councillors for San Juan West, and Caledonia/Upper Malick, as well as representatives of the Ministries of National Security, Social Development, Sports and Community Development, Youth Development and National Service.