Mounted Branch Steps Up Patrols In Valencia To Tackle Praedial Larceny
The TTPS Mounted Branch patrolled the Valencia area on Tuesday, providing relief to farmers who have been victims of praedial larceny.
Riding the boundary between harvest and theft, the officers were fulfilling a promise made to Valencia farmers during a recent consultation held by the Sills Farmers Support Group in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
The ongoing patrols aim to provide a heightened police presence in the Valencia farming community.
Inspector Callendar, attached to the Valencia Police Post, said the additional protection for farmers will help foster relationships between all relevant parties.
« They will be going into the farming areas, meeting with the farmers, engaging with the farmers, hearing what their concerns are, and giving them the assurance that they will not only be here for the day but this will be a continuous effort and a collaborative approach with the mounted branch and the Eastern Division. »
President of the Sills Farmers Support Group Bindra Maharaj hopes the move will not only deter crime but also support police intelligence gathering.
« Now I want you to remember that there’s a river not too far from here, right to the back there, and a lot of illegal activities come through that river, through Tattoo Trace, and exit. It is about time, this will now prevent that operation from taking place, also it will help the police gather information on what is going on here in the Valencia area. »
For one resident, the patrols by the Mounted Branch bring much-needed relief.
« This move will give the farmers in the area a great amount of hope in getting back to the farms, experiencing what it really means to sell your crops that you have produced on the lands, and not have someone else do that for you. We welcome anything to assist the farmers because if the farmers don’t produce, the nation can’t eat.
Building on the initiative, the TTPS is committed to actively discussing and adopting technological solutions to combat praedial larceny, including the use of drones with infrared technology to facilitate night patrols.
