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KILLED: Celestine Richards. –

HOURS before he was shot dead by police on Friday, Gonzales, Port of Spain resident Celestine Richards allegedly told his girlfriend he had a feeling he was going to be killed by them. About 15 minutes later, he shared with a flyer advertising a peace walk to be held in the area later that day.

The uneasy feeling Richards had was shared by his mother Gail Jack who told reporters her eye was twitching, but she “rebuked it.”

Police said officers assigned to the Port of Spain Task Force went, at around 9 am, to 31-year-old Richards’s Walcott Trace home in relation to several shootings in the area.

They said when they arrived, Richards allegedly had a gun. But before he could fire at them, he was shot and taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he was declared dead 45 minutes later.

Speaking with reporters at her son’s girlfriend’s home, Jack accused police of wanting to kill her son for some time. She and Richards’s girlfriend, who did not want to be identified, said police were jealous of Richards who worked with CEPEP and was a jack of all trades.

The house where Celestine Richards was shot and killed by police at Walcott Trace, Gonzales on Thursday. – AYANNA KINSALE

“What they was supposed to do was shoot him on his foot, not shoot him in his chest. I want the Commissioner of Police to come to me so I can say what I have to say, because this is not it.”

The women said Richards did not venture out of the area, so police wanting him in connection with murders was unfounded.

Jack said Richards, who was known as “Six” and “Dutties,” was loved by all in the community, especially the elderly.

Relatives, when questioned about the alias Six, as that is the name of a gang, said, “Is young boys. They does feel to associate themselves with all kinda crazy names.”

Newsday saw the words ABG, which stands for Any Body Gets It, a known gang, and the number six, another gang, spray-painted on different places leading to Richards’ home.

One of the elderly with whom Richards had a great relationship was Viola Belgrove, 92, who said she cried when she heard he was killed. She said Richards and her would chat whenever he was around, and their conversations were “always something sensible.”

“Sometimes he will be in the road and we will chat or he will come by the steps there. I used to buy a bucket of chicken for them,they would offer me but I did not use to eat it.”

She recalled speaking to Richards a few days ago and to her he was “very nice.” She added that everyone has their secrets, but as far as she knew Richards was a good man.

Richards’s relatives claimed police went looking for him last Friday, found another man at his home and allegedly beat and pepper-sprayed him. That man, they said, was Micah Cipriani, 34, who was murdered on Monday evening.

Cipriani, who lived at Roslyn Street, Belmont, was shot at about 6 pm. Police reported they received a report of gunshots in the area and found Cipriani along Margaret’s Lane with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital where he was declared dead at about 6.45 pm.

Richards, police said, was wanted in connection with the murder of Rassan Richardson who was murdered on August 9. Police reported he was driving on Gloster Lodge Road, Gonzales, when he was shot by a fake passenger. The killer ran off and left the dying Richardson near an area called Lovers’ Lane. He was also arrested in May in relation to another murder in the area.

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Patrick Solomon, Inspector of Financial Institutions. –

INSPECTOR of Financial Institutions Patrick Solomon has said TT’s financial system has weathered the covid19 pandemic.

He made this observation in the Central Bank’s Financial Stability Report (FSR) 2021.

Solomon said, “TT’s financial system remained resilient over the course of 2021, despite the challenges posed by the covid19 pandemic and an uncertain global environment. Signs of improvement were seen in certain financial soundness indicators.”

Judicious application of regulatory forbearance and loan-deferral programmes helped cushion the adverse effects of the pandemic, enabling households and businesses to adjust their debt-servicing schedules without unduly weakening the asset quality of financial institutions.

But Solomon warned, “There are clouds gathering on the horizon.”

Weaker than anticipated global economic conditions on account of rising inflation, due to energy and food price shocks, have resulted in a firming of the interest rate environment.

Solomon said, “Rising interest rates can affect the financial sector through various channels, such as credit and valuations.”

He added that increasing vigilance is required in relation to this andother risks to a regulated domestic financial sector such as cyber attacks, which “may pose a significant systemic threat going forward.”

A cyber attack is an attempt by hackers to damage or destroy a computer network or system.

In the FSR, the bank said, “Cyber events could give rise to the loss of confidential data or funds, creating reputational damage and liquidity risk to institutions.”

Domestic data suggests the uptake of information and communications technology has been increasing and financial institutions are expanding their digital footprint.

This increases their susceptibility to an attack.

The bank said mobile internet and voice penetration grew by 6.6 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively last year. There was also a marginal decline in fixed internet penetration by 1.2 per cent in 2021

But the bank said, “While cyber crime has not severely disrupted the domestic financial system, the increasing incidence of cyber attacks domestically is on the radar of the relevant authorities.”

The bank is in the final stages of completing its review of cyber risk in the banking sector. Several reports have already been issued to individual commercial banks. On completion and issuance of the remaining reports to other entities, an industry report will be generated.

The bank described the overall risk posed by cyber attacks to domestic financial stability as moderate.

Solomon said the Central Bank’s financial institutions supervision department will intensify its focus on ensuring that regulated institutions adhere to robust cyber security and risk-management procedures.

He added that the bank’s monetary policy committee will continue to determine the most appropriate policy response to minimise the impact of rising international interest rates.

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The area at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook where a police post is being built. –

Over 1,200 people have signed an online petition calling on the government to stop building a police post on the green space at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook.

It says the proposed post would destroy the green space without curbing lawlessness and will disrupt the environment necessary for the community’s health and wellbeing.

The petition said the 110-year-old community has been appealing to the government to immediately “halt the offensive work which has already begun.”

Residents and property owners said there was insufficient consultation and dialogue on the issue with community groups such as the Woodbrook Residents Committee and the Woodbrook Community Council.

It said green spaces are imperative for communities’ mental and physical health, for tourism, and maintaining a beautiful TT.

“Green spaces and trees absorb rainwater and are valuable when flooding occurs. Adam Smith Square provides pleasing aesthetics for the surrounding properties and serves as a rest and relaxation area for the wider community. Building on the park will degrade the value of the properties that surround it. Gentrification of the area will only be for the benefit of the wealthy and does not consider the long standing-community of this neighbourhood and the wider society.”

The petition noted that Adam Smith Square is a valuable location for music and cultural events, and a meeting spot for families and friends during these events, and building on it would destroy traditional events and meeting spots.

“The park should be enhanced as a green space to encourage nature to thrive and to be helpful as a water absorption site during heavy rains. More trees should be planted so the park can play a valuable part in the fight against climate change, as well as to improve the health and wellness of our society.”

It also said in terms of police presence, the Woodbrook Police Station is one and half blocks away, and there are eight other police stations within a one-mile radius.

“Visibility of police is necessary, and Ariapita Avenue is a perfect location for foot and scooter patrols. Police can hide in buildings. Our authorities can achieve enforcement of laws without another building.”

The residents also said they do not welcome public washrooms in this green space.

The petition said there were unoccupied derelict properties on Carlos Street on the opposite side of the street to the proposed police post, and asked if those buildings could be bought to build the police post and public facilities.

“Developing and enhancing an area for culture and tourism includes preserving the layout and design of all historical green spaces within Port of Spain. The government must work with the communities to protect the parks and squares left to us by our forefathers, not destroy them.”

The construction is part of a $15 million project to enhance Ariapita Avenue, and work has already begun.

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