SEA LOTS resident Jada Morris said as of March 8, there is a peace treaty following tensions in the small community that forced 35 women, herself included, to march to the Police Administration Building on March 5 to plead for help.

The women sought assistance after alleging a series of attacks on J'Ouvert morning. The women alleged a lack of police action regarding their complaints that they had been badly assaulted by men from the nearby Beetham Highway community on March 5.

Morris thanked Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Junior Benjamin and the police for their intervention.

"We had a peace meeting at the beginning of Pioneer Drive. Members from different sides, including elders, youth and men, came together. Everyone signed the peace agreement and afterward, there were prayers."

Morris said while she did not know how the situation had escalated, the J'Ouvert-morning clash was not unusual.

"What made the women feel the need to go to the station was the attack on the innocent and elderly."

Morris expressed confidence following the peace meeting: "Everybody seems to be on the same page." She stressed violence should never be the first response.

"If we hadn’t taken our stand and let the mothers go to the (police) station, I believe this could have gotten worse. I just want people to know there is another way of dealing with things. Just because somebody hits you doesn’t mean you should hit back. Violence is not always the answer."

Snr Supt Raymond Thom of the Port of Spain Division refrained from commenting on the alleged treaty, saying:

"I wouldn't be able to comment on that. I have certain officers dealing with making peace in the area and there was some intervention by other persons. I know they had a meeting, but I don't know the results of the meeting because I'm not sure that all factions attended."

He added since the march, there have been meetings held in the community, and other meetings are scheduled. Thom stressed some factions have already met with the police. He said upcoming meetings will be private, while others will include residents.

[caption id="attachment_1143220" align="alignnone" width="1024"] This young man shows one of the injuries he says he got during an altercation with residents of Pioneer Drive, Sea Lots, March 7. - Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]

"I'm not sure that everyone attended, so I would be unable to comment on the treaty. I can't give you anything conclusive on that."

He said the police are hoping for a swift resolution with the community's help. He reiterated the police, who were directed to visit the community and address the situation, were not involved in the meeting.

"I only want to comment on what I know about. If she says there is a peace treaty, that means those who are present came to some form of agreement towards peace."

Nigel Charles of the Sea Lots Legacy Foundation stressed the need for more jobs and programmes for young people in the community.

"Youth are not getting a fair chance to pursue their goals. We don’t want the bad