By ALEXANDER BRUZUAL Friday, September 21 2012

THE good times have come to Laventille. For the past 11 days, no mothers have cried and no fathers have sighed as police and soldiers have maintained the calm and peace in what is considered one of the country’s major crime hot-spots.

Yesterday marked 11 days in which no murders have been committed in the Laventille community, much to the joy and appreciation of residents. John John and Beverly Hills residents expressed pleasure that the killings and violence have stopped.

“You see right now, these are the good times for us. The police and soldiers are out patrolling and the children are playing on the road again. There have been no murders for a while and none of our mothers have had a reason to cry and no fathers, to sigh. If the police and soldiers are patrolling constantly, then I say so be it. Keep them here and let’s keep the young ones safe,” said resident Ancil Roberts.

Residents were yesterday thankful to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for visiting their community on Wednesday.

“Look, all politics aside, because this government still has a lot to answer for and have been making some serious mistakes... but this is the first time in many years that a Prime Minister has taken time to visit us. And we appreciate this, because she listened to us. We need this kind of interaction and it is good to know that Kamla has not forgotten us,” stated a resident.

The last murder in Laventille was on September 9 when Errol John and Robert Farrell were killed.

On Wednesday, during her visit to Laventille, Persad-Bissessar threw a coin into a small pond and made a wish. Her wish? “I wish for peace...for Laventille and for our country. This is my wish.”

Police officers, soldiers of the Defence Force, National Security Minister Jack Warner — who incidentally was jeered by residents in Picton Road, who held aloft placards — Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj have been instrumental in the 11 days of peace in Laventille.