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A Coast Guard officer, who had been embroiled in a protracted legal battle over the delay in processing his firearm user’s licence (FUL), has finally received his provisional licence. The officer, whose identity remains undisclosed due to security concerns, was granted leave by Justice Karen Reid to pursue a judicial review against the Commissioner of Police (CoP), Allister Guevarro. The officer alleged that the CoP had failed to fulfil a statutory duty by not processing firearm licence applications for eligible, law-abiding citizens. The officer had initially applied for the FUL in 2015, with a police investigation completed in 2016. Despite providing all necessary documentation and being informed that the investigating officer raised no objections, the application remained unresolved for nearly a decade. The officer’s legal team, led by attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan, argued that the CoP’s inaction compromised public safety and infringed on citizens’ right to self-defence. The officer criticised the CoP’s restrictive interpretation of the Firearms Act and the failure to allocate resources to expedite applications. On October 29, the officer collected his provisional licence, and the TT Police Service’s legal unit confirmed the decision on November 17. Consequently, a hearing scheduled for November 18 is expected to be vacated. The officer emphasised that the decade-long delay was unreasonable and highlighted the escalating criminal activity as a grave public concern.

In a bold and meticulously planned robbery, two armed and masked individuals targeted the Royal Ton Casino in Crown Point on the morning of November 17. The incident unfolded shortly after 8 am when the assailants confronted casino employees, leading to a tense exchange of gunfire with security personnel. The robbers managed to escape with an undisclosed sum of cash, fleeing to a nearby beach where they boarded a waiting pirogue. The vessel, later discovered abandoned at Pigeon Point beach, has been seized by police as crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have confirmed the arrest of one individual who is currently assisting law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects. The case has drawn significant attention due to the audacity of the crime and the use of a maritime escape route, highlighting the evolving tactics of criminal enterprises in the region.

A La Romaine resident, Anthony Ogeer, has been handed a five-year prison sentence with hard labor after pleading guilty to possessing two rounds of .38-caliber ammunition discovered at his Pond Street residence in 2023. The sentencing was delivered by Justice Nalini Singh, who detailed the circumstances of the case. During a police search of Ogeer’s home, the ammunition was found concealed beneath a tabletop stove. While the Firearms Act mandates a minimum 20-year sentence for a first conviction on indictment, Justice Singh set a starting point of six years, citing the limited quantity of ammunition and the absence of a firearm as mitigating factors. However, Ogeer’s prior convictions, including four marijuana-related offenses, led to an increased sentence of nine years. The judge highlighted Ogeer’s escalating criminal behavior, noting that the current offense occurred while he was on bail for a similar charge in January 2023. Despite this, the 2025 conviction was not considered an aggravating factor. Reductions were granted for Ogeer’s remorse and early guilty plea, resulting in the final five-year term. The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the ammunition, disqualification from holding a firearm license, and notification of relevant authorities regarding the conviction.

The Bocas Lit Fest, in collaboration with Let’s Read, is set to host its popular Family Reading Circle at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre in Port of Spain on November 22. The event, scheduled from 10 am to 12 pm, aims to cultivate a love for reading among children aged seven and under through interactive read-aloud sessions and community engagement.

Featured author Mary Cuffy, known for her Ladybug series, will lead the session by reading from her works, including ‘Lola and the Dancing Ladybugs,’ ‘Lola and the Magic Sticks,’ and ‘Lola and the Fascinating Cocoa Bean.’ Cuffy, a storyteller and lecturer at the UWI Open Campus, specializes in early childhood literacy and music, bringing her expertise to this initiative.

The Family Reading Circle is part of Bocas Lit Fest’s ongoing efforts to promote literacy and creativity among young readers. Over the past two and a half years, the organization has partnered with Let’s Read TT to host numerous such events at The Writers Centre. These sessions provide a platform for parents and caregivers to encourage reading in a communal setting, fostering empathy, imagination, and lifelong reading habits.

Community outreach remains a cornerstone of Bocas Lit Fest’s children’s programming, as demonstrated by initiatives like the nationwide Children’s Storytelling Caravan. Earlier this year, a pilot session was held at the St Helena Community Library, further expanding the program’s reach.

The upcoming event at the St Joseph Old Road Community Centre will feature Let’s Read’s extensive children’s book library, allowing families to explore literature together. By creating a supportive environment for shared reading, the program aims to enhance literacy, social cognition, and behavioral development.

For more information about future Family Reading Circles, contact melvina@bocaslitfest.com.