标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The holiday season in Trinidad and Tobago has been marred by escalating noise pollution incidents, according to Citizens Against Noise Pollution of TT (CANPTT). Vice President Lindy-Ann Bachoo expressed serious concerns about disruptive activities that have plagued neighborhoods during the Christmas period, particularly highlighting the proliferation of music trucks featuring amplified sound systems and frantic deejays operating under the guise of “spreading cheer.

These mobile sound systems, often accompanied by Santa figures, have been stationing themselves within residential areas for extended periods without time restrictions, blasting music through industrial-grade speakers. Bachoo described experiencing physical vibrations from the noise despite being situated far from main roadways, indicating the intensity of the sound pollution.

The organization has raised particular alarm about the upcoming Old Year’s Night celebrations, citing a recent incident in Four Roads, Diego Martin where rival youth groups engaged in a dangerous fireworks battle in busy streets, creating hazards for motorists without apparent law enforcement intervention.

While acknowledging government efforts to address noise pollution through new legislation, CANPTT questions the effectiveness of current measures. The permitted one-hour window for fireworks discharge on public holidays carries a minimal fine of $450—an amount the group characterizes as “paltry” and potentially insufficient to deter violations. Bachoo suggested that event organizers might simply factor this penalty into their budgets as an acceptable cost for hosting large celebrations.

Further concerns involve public awareness of safety regulations, including the half-mile restriction on fireworks near hospitals, care homes, and zoos. Many citizens may lack understanding of distance measurements, potentially placing them in violation of regulations unintentionally.

The Environmental Management Authority’s role in noise management also faces scrutiny, as the agency currently addresses only industrial and commercial noise, excluding household disturbances from its jurisdiction. CANPTT advocates for an extensive public education campaign clarifying the respective responsibilities of police and environmental authorities in noise regulation.

Despite these challenges, the organization maintains support for law enforcement efforts while recognizing the potential overwhelming nature of Old Year’s Night enforcement demands. The group ultimately implores public consideration and compliance with existing regulations to ensure community safety and peace.

A wave of violence swept across Trinidad and Tobago during the final hours of 2025, with four separate homicides recorded between December 30-31. The incidents occurred in multiple locations, claiming lives from various communities and bringing the year’s murder toll to 368—a significant decrease from 2024’s 626 cases.

In the Southern Division, 40-year-old Gary Griffith of Tarouba Heights was ambushed near his Derek Murray Drive residence shortly before 11 pm on December 30. Eyewitnesses reported a white vehicle pulling alongside the victim before occupants opened fire, striking Griffith multiple times. Despite rapid response from Marabella police units and medical transportation to San Fernando General Hospital, Griffith succumbed to his injuries by 11:29 pm.

Simultaneously in Laventille, 47-year-old Shawn McLean met a tragic end in his parked vehicle at Upper Wharton Street. The victim had just returned from an errand when assailants targeted him in his own yard around 9 pm. McLean, who maintained residences in both Laventille and Morvant, was discovered slumped behind the steering wheel.

Early on December 31, violence claimed another life in El Socorro when 76-year-old Gobin Deonarine was shot while playing cards with companions near his Persad Lane home. At approximately 1:20 am, a motorcycle-riding gunman approached the gathering and opened fire, fatally wounding the elderly man. Despite emergency transfer to Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Deonarine was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The island of Tobago witnessed its tenth homicide of 2025 with the killing of 26-year-old sanitation worker Jerome Woods. The Tobago House of Assembly employee was discovered with gunshot wounds at his Blackman Trace rental apartment in Delaford on December 31 morning. The tragedy prompted emotional response from PNM electoral candidate Shonae John, who publicly appealed for peace and community solidarity through social media platforms.

Unconfirmed reports additionally suggested a fifth potential victim recovered from a Morvant Junction river, though authorities had not verified these claims by press time.

The Trinidadian government faces complex engineering challenges as it responds to the ongoing Piparo mud volcano eruption that damaged critical road infrastructure on December 24. During a recent site assessment, Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John revealed that comprehensive repairs would require approximately $20 million in funding, but cautioned that substantial reconstruction cannot proceed while volcanic activity continues.

Minister John emphasized the government’s cautious approach, stating: “We cannot commit to that kind of money until we know what is happening. So, we are really trying, and we use a lot of in-house resources to restore.” The minister returned to the affected area on December 31 alongside technical teams from her ministry, regional corporation officials, and Princes Town MP Aiyna Ali to oversee emergency restoration efforts.

Collaborative work between the Ministry’s Highways Division, Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation, and Princes Town Regional Corporation has restored partial vehicular access to certain sections of Piparo Road. However, a critical 400-meter segment between the 1.7 km and 2.1 km markers remains closed due to unstable ground conditions, with authorities urging motorists to respect safety barriers and detour signage.

The human impact of the geological event has been substantial, with resident Kim Seebaran, 65, revealing the psychological toll on homeowners. “We do not know what is going to happen again,” Seebaran told reporters. “We, the residents, cannot sleep properly. It is a lot of stress that we have to go through.” The pensioner, whose home lies directly in the path of underground mud movement, is actively seeking rental accommodation as her roof structure shows signs of stress from subterranean shifts.

With rehabilitation work scheduled to continue through New Year’s Day, the government faces balancing immediate access needs with long-term geological uncertainty, while residents grapple with the third significant volcanic event to affect their community in recent history.