By PETER GREEN
I feel sorry for acting Supt Kevin Martin, head of the Police Traffic Branch. He has a very tough task on his hands.
At the weekly police media conference on Wednesday, Martin addressed parking concerns in Port-of-Spain and warned police officers about breaching the traffic laws.
He spoke about vehicles belonging to members of the protective services being parked on both sides of several streets in Port of Spain which can hamper the movement of emergency vehicles.
The vehicles, some displaying signs bearing the word “POLICE” on their windscreens, have raised questions about whether officers are receiving preferential treatment when it comes to parking enforcement.
Questioned about the apparent double standards, Martin maintained that vehicles parked in contravention of the law would be dealt with, regardless of ownership.
Martin said, “We wreck cars, not people, and vehicles parked in contravention of the nation’s laws will be removed.”
So let me address Martin and his concerns.
Let us look at St Vincent Street in the vicinity of the Old Police Headquarters. From Duke Street heading south all the way to Queen Street. There is parking on both sides, although there are no parking signs.
From what I have been told, those vehicles belong to police officers and staff of the Parliament. I have also been told that police officers at Capildeo Building “keep an eye out for wreckers”.
With wrecking set to resume in Port-of-Spain from 9 am to 3 pm daily, people are asking if the wreckers will swoop down on St Vincent Street.
Now left us look at Edward Street on the western side of the Old Police Headquarters. The situation is the same. There is parking on both sides of the road. Again, police officers park there.
The wreckers should be busy as there is indiscriminate parking on Henry and Charlotte Streets during peak hours.
So, Mr Martin, it is up to your to deal with this issue.
