Police to monitor banks

With the deadline for property tax payments approaching, Assistant Superintendent of the Southwestern Division, Edmund Cumberbatch, has warned that criminals are now targeting individuals withdrawing large sums of money from banks to pay the tax.

However, in order to counter this, Cumberbatch said yesterday that police teams have been deployed around financial institutions to monitor those leaving with cash as the September 30 property tax deadline looms.

Speaking at a media conference at the San Fernando Police Headquarters yesterday, Cumberbatch provided details of a recent incident involving a 72-year-old Penal pensioner who was robbed of money she planned to use to pay property tax.

Police said at 10.11 am on Wednesday, the woman withdrew $10,000 from Republic Bank on High Street, Siparia. While waiting for transport, she entered a black private hire vehicle. As she attempted to put on her seatbelt, the driver assisted her. She later felt a tug on her handbag but only discovered the money was missing when she reached her destination.

Cumberbatch said the police have received intelligence that criminals are targeting individuals who plan to withdraw money in the coming days to meet the tax deadline.

“What we have done in this instance, we have stepped up our patrols, focusing on the banking and other money-lending agencies and their environs,” Cumberbatch said, adding that detectives in plain clothes and uniformed officers will be observing individuals loitering or appearing to communicate with accomplices.

He noted that some of these crimes involve Venezuelan migrants and urged the public to remain cautious.

In the pensioner’s case, police officers visited the scene, interviewed several people and canvassed the area for CCTV footage but no useful information was received.

Cumberbatch said while there have been no reports of active robberies, police have taken proactive measures to safeguard the public.

“I have personally asked my officers to also go into the banks and to observe. We have detectives in plain clothes and also uniformed officers. They will be observing suspicious-looking persons, those who sit and wait. We are taking in front and addressing the situation.” He noted that officers have been instructed to enter banks and keep an eye on those loitering, noting that these actions are part of the broader effort to safeguard citizens as the property tax deadline approaches.

Meanwhile, acting Superintendent of the Central Division Naim Gyan advised citizens to conduct thorough checks before renting properties to migrants. Gyan said many migrants enter T&T illegally without proper documentation, making it difficult for landlords to verify their status. He highlighted that some crimes are being committed by migrants and recommended that citizens allow the police to perform checks on potential tenants before finalising rental agreements.

Gyan urged citizens to avoid rushing for quick rental income and instead exercise caution when selecting tenants, emphasising the importance of ensuring safety and security in these arrangements.

Earlier this week, Minister in the Ministry of Finance Brian Manning stated that the Government is exploring additional methods for paying property tax.

Responding to concerns about long lines at the nine payment centres and the absence of online payment options, Manning said the issue is being addressed. He added that the Government is developing new payment methods, including online options, allowing individuals to pay through their bank branches or from their computers and phones.

Manning noted that these options are in the process of being rolled out.

However, Finance Minister Colm Imbert subsequently said any new payment options are unlikely to be implemented before the September 30 deadline because the process is a complicated one.