分类： society

As Trinidad and Tobago enters 2026, Hazel Mohan-George, Secretary of the nation’s Safety Council, has issued a comprehensive call for safety to become embedded as a fundamental cultural value rather than merely a seasonal resolution. This urgent appeal comes against the backdrop of recent preventable tragedies, including a significant blaze at Products Central toy store in San Fernando that required coordinated emergency response efforts.

The analysis emphasizes that true safety extends beyond workplace compliance to encompass all aspects of daily life—homes, roadways, public gatherings, and seasonal celebrations including the upcoming Carnival festivities. Mohan-George systematically outlines critical risk areas: residential hazards ranging from electrical overloads and unattended cooking to improper chemical storage; road safety concerns including distracted and impaired driving; and Carnival-specific dangers such as overcrowded venues, unsafe temporary electrical installations, and alcohol-related incidents.

The framework presents a multilayered approach to accident prevention, advocating for both individual responsibility and collective action. Household recommendations include maintaining functional smoke detectors, creating emergency evacuation plans, and securing basic emergency kits. For road safety, the Council emphasizes vehicle maintenance, defensive driving training, and heightened consideration among all road users.

Particular attention is given to seasonal events, where the convergence of large crowds, temporary infrastructure, and alcohol consumption creates complex safety challenges. The guidance specifies practical measures including designated driver programs, venue capacity management, and thorough safety checks for water vessels and temporary event structures.

The Council positions safety as a continuous practice requiring proactive leadership, employee engagement, and community-wide cooperation. By intervening against unsafe conditions, acknowledging positive behavior, and educating children, Trinidad and Tobago can build what Mohan-George describes as ‘a more responsible and safety-conscious nation’ where protective measures become second nature throughout 2026 and beyond.

A high-speed police pursuit turned fatal on January 20 when a vehicle crashed into a drainage canal in St Augustine, resulting in one fatality and leaving a female passenger fighting for her life. The dramatic incident unfolded within minutes, beginning in Maloney around 2 pm and concluding at the intersection of Dooksingh Street and Bassie Street Extension.

Law enforcement officials have identified the deceased driver as Joshua Samaroo. The critically injured woman, reportedly from Bamboo Settlement in Valsayn, remains unidentified as authorities continue their investigation. Both individuals were urgently transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope following the collision.

Eyewitness accounts describe a white Toyota Aqua submerged in a shallow drainage ditch at the scene, which was subsequently recovered by police tow services. Patrol officers indicated they initiated pursuit after receiving critical information through police communications systems.

While the precise circumstances triggering the chase remain under investigation, police sources confirmed the discovery of a Glock handgun within the vehicle. The recovery of the weapon suggests potential criminal activity preceding the pursuit, though official statements await completion of forensic analysis.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident, examining both the events leading to the pursuit and the circumstances of the crash itself. The case has drawn attention to police pursuit protocols and public safety considerations during high-speed interventions.

In a tragic incident that unfolded on January 21st in Arouca, a pregnant woman believed to be a Venezuelan national was fatally shot when an unidentified gunman opened fire on a group of individuals gathered beneath a shed. The victim, reportedly in her third trimester of pregnancy, succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to Arima Hospital.

Eyewitness accounts indicate the shooting occurred approximately at 1:00 PM along Garden Road. The deceased was seated with her partner and several others when the assailant initiated gunfire. While the pregnant woman was struck, the remainder of the group managed to flee the scene unharmed. Law enforcement officials have preliminarily indicated that the victim was likely not the intended target of the attack, though the precise motive remains undetermined.

Personnel from the Homicide Bureau of Investigations (Region Two) have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. Forensic teams were documented collecting evidence at the crime scene as part of ongoing efforts to identify the perpetrator. This incident highlights continuing concerns regarding public safety and gun violence in the region.

In a landmark achievement for environmental journalism, the Wild Tobago column has reached its 500th installment with a special expedition to Trinidad’s Icacos wetlands. This ongoing series, initiated in July 2016 by coral reef ecologist Dr. Anjani Ganase during her PhD studies in Australia, has evolved into a platform for scientific communication and environmental advocacy across Trinidad and Tobago.

The commemorative feature brought together Dr. Ganase and acclaimed birder Faraaz Abdool for a pre-dawn journey to the southwestern tip of Trinidad. Their mission: to document the spectacular biodiversity of the Icacos wetlands at sunrise. The team witnessed an extraordinary natural performance as the sky transformed through shades of yellow, salmon, pink, and blue, while the wetland came alive with avian activity.

Abdool described the sensory experience: ‘As the first light touched the horizon, the dawn chorus began. Carib Grackles jostled for position in swamp ferns, yellow-hooded blackbirds gathered in smaller groups, and yellow-chinned spinetails created a rattling soundtrack.’ The experience turned dramatic when a large spectacled caiman emerged with deep bellows and rhythmic grunts, performing mating displays accompanied by ‘dancing water’ phenomena known as Faraday waves.

The team observed over 50 scarlet ibis whirling overhead, ospreys patiently waiting for prey, wattled jacanas foraging at water’s edge, and common gallinules taking clumsy flight. Despite signage declaring the area protected, the birds’ furtive behavior suggested ongoing human disturbance.

The expedition continued to Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, where conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced Muscovy ducks hunted to extinction on the islands. The trust represents a beacon of conservation education, complemented by the Freebird Restaurant offering world-class meals with local ingredients.

Dr. Ganase reflected on the column’s advocacy role, particularly in challenging government plans to develop the country’s only marine protected area for resort construction. She expressed concern about current threats to Mt Irvine Reef from hotel and housing development, noting that marine ecosystems already face climate change impacts while basic management measures remain unimplemented.

The feature concludes with an invitation to all citizens to undertake their own Wild Tobago journeys, emphasizing that appreciation and respect for natural spaces can foster greater community consciousness and care for both environment and fellow inhabitants.

In a landmark initiative recognizing that cultural preservation relies on human dedication rather than mere structures, Trinidad and Tobago’s National Trust launched its inaugural Legacy Leaders Training Programme on January 15-16. The event united heritage site custodians from across the nation in a transformative professional development experience.

The programme, orchestrated by the Trust’s Education and Outreach Committee, brought together representatives from historically significant sites including Hayes Court, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Asa Wright Nature Centre, Lopinot Historic Complex, and Nelson Island. These practitioners, who often operate with minimal resources while juggling multiple roles from maintenance to fundraising, found common ground in their shared challenges and commitments.

National Trust CEO Graeme Suite inaugurated the event by acknowledging the quiet determination required to sustain heritage spaces in contemporary society. He emphasized that beyond passion, successful preservation demands resilience, long-term vision, and the ability to navigate economic realities while honoring cultural responsibilities.

The training curriculum addressed critical operational needs through expert-led sessions covering site interpretation, youth engagement strategies, visitor experience enhancement, and marketing communications. Facilitator Joseph Bertrand introduced innovative approaches to visitor management, advocating for guidance rather than enforcement to foster respectful behavior and cultivate lasting connections between communities and heritage sites.

A particularly impactful session featured the Heritage Tax Allowance Programme (HTAP), a government-backed fiscal incentive offering companies 150% tax deductions (up to $1 million annually) for investments in heritage preservation. Senior Heritage Preservation Officer Ashleigh Morris explained how this initiative creates vital private-sector partnerships for restoration projects that might otherwise remain financially unfeasible.

The programme intentionally fostered peer-to-peer exchange, creating a supportive environment where participants could share challenges and solutions. Central concerns included succession planning and engaging younger generations to ensure stewardship continuity beyond current caretakers.

Special recognition was accorded to Joseph Bertrand, who conceived and project-managed the Legacy Leaders initiative. The programme represents a strategic pivot toward investing in human infrastructure for heritage preservation, acknowledging that sustainable management depends equally on leadership development, collaborative networks, and community connections as on conservation techniques.

The National Trust continues to advocate for public participation in heritage preservation through membership and active engagement, reinforcing the fundamental principle that investing in people ultimately protects legacy.

A dramatic prison escape attempt at Port of Spain Prison ended in failure on January 21 when inmate Travis Curtis was apprehended just minutes after his bold dash for freedom. According to an official statement released by the Prison Service at 3:20 PM, the incident unfolded at approximately 10:00 AM when Curtis scaled the western perimeter wall along Pembroke Street.

The escape proved short-lived as coordinated efforts between Port of Spain Prison officers and the specialized Emergency Response Unit resulted in Curtis’s recapture at approximately 10:18 AM near Abercromby Street in the capital. The rapid response demonstrated exceptional operational coordination between prison authorities and security forces.

Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the escape incident, examining whether additional charges will be filed against Curtis for escaping lawful custody. The Prison Service publicly commended the responding officers for their vigilance and professional conduct during the operation, while also acknowledging the cooperation received from members of the public.

The Prison Service indicated that further updates regarding the incident would be provided as the investigation progresses and more information becomes available.