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Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith is supporting the legalisation of pepper spray so that women in particular can protect themselves from attacks.

Speaking during the weekly police media conference yesterday, Commissioner Griffith said pepper spray could be useful, in light of the many incidents of rape and murder perpetrated against women and minors over the last months.

The top cop said he understands the concerns of the Prime Minister with regard to criminals also accessing the pepper spray.

However he said he stands by his suggestion.

The Commissioner said pepper spray is non lethal and only one spray is required to disarm a threat.

Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan is calling on commuters to avoid using PH taxis.

Yesterday Minister Sinanan said PH taxis are illegal and should not be used by the traveling public.

He was responding to questions in the Upper House from Independent Senator Paul Richards.

The Minister admitted that the law regarding PH taxis does not fall under his purview but his Ministry has been doing its part to clamp down on the illegal practice.

Minister Sinanan said the State is seeking to establish a system for PH drivers, if only to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

But Senator Paul Richards yesterday wanted to know more.

An autopsy on the body of Ashanti Riley is expected today. 

The operators of conventional taxis in Trinidad and Tobago are calling on the authorities to clamp down on what is called PH taxis.

Following the killing of 18-year-old Ashanti Riley last week, the long-standing debate of PH taxis is on again.

The young woman disappeared after she was last seen getting into a private vehicle that was working taxi in the San Juan area.

Head of the Trinidad and Tobago Taxi Network, Mr. Adrian Agosta yesterday told a news conference the authorities care about again, after the unfortunate tragedy involving the teenager.

Mr. Agosta feels members of the public have also been contributing to the dangers of using PH taxis by their actions over the years.

The network said it has writing to the authorities several times seeking talks on the situation, but there has been no fruitful development.

Sixteen new cases of the coronavirus have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago.

The death toll remains at 122.

The Ministry of Health yesterday said there the new patients will be processed for admission at the discretion of the County Medical Officers of Health.

The release said of these 16 cases, 3 are in Tobago.

The release said the number of persons who have tested positive at public and private facilities now stands at 6,767 while 708 remain active.

It said of the 629 persons in home self-isolation, 186 are in the care of the prison system.

The total number of recovered patients is 5,937.

A man is said to have opened fire on a patrol unit of the Western Division.

The incident took place at around 9pm at Quarry Street in Diego Martin last Friday.

Police say they were on patrol when they had cause to stop and search 2 men.

They were found to be carrying 1,080 grams of marijuana.

The legal limit is 30 grams per person.

The officers say while they were arresting the 2 men another man pulled out a gun and fired shots at them.

The man fled the scene after being shot at by the officers.

The suspect is still at large.

Mayra Alejandra James is reported missing.

The 31-year-old Venezuelan national was last seen at around 4pm yesterday leaving her work place at #14 Railway Street, Arima.

Relatives say she never reached her Woodbrook home and all calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

They say this has never happened before and they are very concerned given the recent killings of Ashanti Riley and Krystal Espinoza.

Newscenter 5 understands a missing persons report was made to the Arima and Woodbrook Police Stations.

Ms. James was last seen wearing a red tee shirt, navy blue leggings and a pair of green sneakers.

She was also carrying a black leather backpack.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. James is being told to contact the nearest police station.

Womantra is calling on the public to desist from sharing videos and images of victims’ bodies.

Social media manager, Johanna Rae Reyes says it is insensitive to the families and can cause further trauma.

Yesterday she said her heart goes out to the family.

Ms. Rae Reyes was speaking with Newscenter 5 yesterday.

One relative of the young Ashanti Riley says the society was always evil, but this brutal situation has brought it to the fore.

Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Steve Riley said this evil comes disguised in many forms.

Pastor Riley, who is the cousin of deceased Ashanti, yesterday told Newscenter 5 the reality is still sinking in.

He said while the family is emotionally traumatised they have been receiving a lot of support.