分类： society

A police-involved shooting in Trinidad and Tobago’s Central Division on November 22 resulted in the death of Trevon Cumberbatch of Kelly Village and the seizure of two firearms along with ammunition. The incident occurred during an operation led by the Central Division task force, supported by air units and canine teams, in the Caroni area. According to a police media release, officers approached the residence of a 38-year-old suspect who allegedly confronted them with a weapon. The suspect reportedly pointed the firearm at the officers, prompting them to discharge their service weapons in accordance with the use-of-force policy. The suspect sustained injuries and was pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital. Authorities recovered a Glock 17 pistol and a magazine containing ammunition from the scene. The operation was coordinated by Senior Superintendent Bhagwandeen, Superintendent Glodon, and Assistant Superintendents Hernandez and Harrilal. In a separate operation on the same day, the Western Division Task Force conducted an exercise in Cocorite, where they discovered a Glock 19 pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander praised the officers for their bravery, emphasizing the risks they face in confronting armed criminals. Alexander urged criminals to reconsider their actions, highlighting the impact on their families and society. He also warned that raising a weapon at law enforcement would inevitably lead to severe consequences.

The College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (Costaatt) marked its 25th anniversary with a vibrant graduation ceremony on November 22 at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. The event highlighted exceptional achievements across diverse fields, including graphic design, mass communication, accounting, and radiography. Among the standout graduates was Zoe Laydoo, who earned her BA in Mass Communication with an impressive GPA of 3.963 and delivered a heartfelt valedictorian speech. Laydoo emphasized the power of storytelling in fostering human connections and paid tribute to her peers who balanced work, family, and studies to achieve their degrees. Shakira Jones graduated magna cum laude in Accounting, while Niema Rahaman, Kareena Rampersad, and Travis Ali shared the Wilma Collins Award of Excellence in Radiography. Leah Hanley received the Academic Excellence Award in Library and Information Studies. The ceremony also commemorated Costaatt’s institutional accreditation milestone in 2010 and featured reflections from Aventa Group CEO James Walker, who encouraged graduates to embrace confidence, critical thinking, and perseverance. Minister of Tertiary Education Senator Prakash Persad highlighted the challenges and opportunities posed by AI and climate change, urging students to remain resilient. Acting President Naseem Koylass praised the graduates’ determination and announced the new Dr Gillian Paul Award for Academic Excellence and Community Service. The event concluded with the conferral of degrees across multiple disciplines and the presentation of the Partnership Award to Republic Bank and the National Petroleum Institute of TT for their support in Costaatt’s cashless initiative.

In a dynamic display of youthful insight and advocacy, 36 participants from secondary schools, youth organizations, and tertiary institutions across Trinidad and Tobago gathered at the Red House on November 24 for the 22nd annual Youth Parliament debate. The focal point of the event was a proposed Cyberbullying bill, which aims to address the escalating issue of online harassment through a structured two-tiered offence system. The bill includes provisions for threats of violence, sexual harm, targeting children, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and impersonation. Penalties proposed range from mandatory counseling and community service to fines of up to $100,000 and imprisonment for up to five years. Additionally, the bill introduces a takedown provision, empowering law enforcement to seek court orders for the removal of harmful content or its preservation as evidence in legal proceedings. Kachay Marcano, a Polytechnic Institute student and ‘opposition leader’ in the debate, emphasized the urgency of enacting legislation to combat the pervasive impact of cyberbullying, citing the rapid dissemination of harmful content on social media. She highlighted the dehumanizing effects of such actions, urging the government to balance freedom of expression with the right to safety and dignity. Johann George of Milat, representing the opposition, underscored the severe mental health consequences of cyberbullying, referencing alarming statistics from the Journal of the American Medical Association that link cyberbullying victims to a 50% higher likelihood of suicidal thoughts. On the government side, Zyane Bissoon of the Trinidad Youth Council acknowledged the existing framework to combat cybercrime, including the 2011 Data Protection Act and the efforts of the cybercrime unit since 2019. Delano Joefield of the Tobago Youth Council highlighted recent amendments to the Sexual Offences Act and the Offences Against the Person Act, which now criminalize voyeurism and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Despite differing perspectives, the debate underscored the need for updated legislation to address the evolving digital landscape. Speaker of the House Jagdeo Singh praised the participants for their leadership and commitment, expressing confidence in the future of Trinidad and Tobago’s democracy.

The Scotiabank Foundation has strengthened its collaboration with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV) by launching an innovative economic empowerment initiative aimed at supporting women affected by domestic violence. This program extends beyond traditional psychosocial assistance, focusing on equipping survivors with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge to foster financial independence and rebuild their lives. In 2024, Scotiabank’s contributions enabled CADV to provide critical services, including trauma counseling, legal aid, relocation support, and educational assistance for families in need. Building on this foundation, the Foundation has donated $120,000 to enhance CADV’s Psychosocial Services Programme with a six-month economic empowerment component. The initiative will benefit fifteen survivors, offering three months of hands-on training in garment construction and sewing, followed by three months of business development guidance. Participants will learn essential skills such as pattern drafting, machine operation, and garment assembly, alongside business planning, market research, financial management, and marketing strategies. Scotiabank emphasized that its commitment to CADV is action-oriented, with employees actively driving change through the bank’s Empower Employee Resource Group. Volunteers lead sensitization workshops to raise awareness and amplify CADV’s mission of creating safer, stronger communities. Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, General Manager of CADV, praised the partnership as a model of multi-layered involvement, highlighting its developmental impact on participants and their families. Gayle Pazos, Senior VP and Managing Director of Scotiabank TT, underscored the initiative’s transformative potential, stating that it empowers women to gain confidence, rebuild their lives, and achieve economic independence.

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left a community in shock, UNC councillor Romona Victor and her common-law husband, Rodney Ramsumair, were found dead in their Siparia home on Sunday afternoon. Police are investigating the case as a suspected murder-suicide. The couple, who had been together for 16 years, were discovered in their bedroom, with Victor found in bed and Ramsumair nearby. The tragic event has left both families devastated and searching for answers. Rodney’s father, Boysie Ramsumair, has urged the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances until the forensic report is released. He emphasized that while the couple had occasional disagreements, there were no signs of the relationship deteriorating to such a tragic end. Boysie described their relationship as strong and supportive, highlighting their shared ambitions and the family’s close bond. He also revealed that Rodney had taken on a fatherly role for Romona’s teenage son from a previous relationship. The elder Ramsumair expressed frustration over the rampant speculation on social media, urging people to consider the trauma the families are enduring. As the investigation continues, the community awaits the autopsy results to shed light on the events leading to this devastating outcome.