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The Mayor of Port of Spain says renaming a street in the capital city is easier than removing the statues of Christopher Columbus.

Some 8,000 votes have been garnered in a petitioned aimed at removing the statue of the country’s documented Spanish founder.

The group making the request visited Mayor Joel Martinez last week telling him Christopher Columbus should not be honored given the mass murder he perpetrated upon the indigenous peoples he met here when his ships landed.

A member of the group has even given a deadline of Wednesday evening for the statue of Columbus to be removed.

However during the Take Two program on i95.5fm yesterday Mayor Martinez explained while renaming a street is easy, removal of the statues is not.

Further his worship noted that because of the historical symbolism attached to the effigy impacts the country’s entire population and as a result cannot be lightly dismissed.

Beaches across the country reopen today but a limit is being place on the number of people being allowed at the Macqueripe Beach Facility.

The Chaguaramas Development Authority is enforcing the partial prohibition.

In an advisory, the CDA says the number of people allowed on the beach at any given time will be at its discretion.

The Public Health Novel Coronavirus Regulations 2020 issued on Monday states: a person shall not, without reasonable justification “be found at or in any beach, river, stream, pond, spring or similar body of water in congregations of more than 25 persons.

Beaches have been closed since late March, in keeping with measures from government to limit the spread of COVID-19 and now the authority says it will ensure that the Ministry of Health’s guidelines are adhered to for the safety of all beach goers.

These regulations are in effect until June 30^th.

The Police Association is in talks with the North Central Regional Health Authority in a bid to create a better health policy document for its members.

The news comes as the service mourns the death police officer Stephen Swanson.

Acting CPL Swanson passed away suddenly last Saturday night.

Officer Swanson, an Acting Corporal with 15 years’ service, was last attached to the Canine Unit.

President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Gideon Dickson told Newscenter 5 he is saddened by the passing of officer Swanson.   

Mr. Dickson said this morning members of the TTPS like any other citizen battle lifestyle diseases but their level of anxiety associated with their job makes them more susceptible.

He added that this was the trigger for drafting a new health policy for police officers.

According to a recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Cambridge Health Alliance, the life expectancy of a police officer is 20 years less than a normal civilian and the average age of a law enforcement officer who has suffered a heart attack is 49 years, compared to 67 for the general population.

In addition, the study says police officers are 25 times more likely to suffer death and disability from heart disease than from a violent action of a suspect and despite this information many agencies have been slow to develop wellness programs and cardiac screening assessments.

As it prepares to observe Labour Day tomorrow the National Trade Union Center says it has noted the number of people reaching out for help, because of COVID-19 and measures to control it.

Secretary General of NATUC, Michael Annisette said this morning Labour Day 2020 is being used to look at unfinished business, and provide help to members in need.

Mr. Annisette said tomorrow there will be an online meeting of leaders and the distribution of food hampers across the country.

He does not believe COVID-19 has weakened labour, but it has affected on-going negotiations.

The Joint Trade Union Movement earlier this week said its leaders will make the trek to Charlie King Junction in Fyzabad tomorrow.

However members of trade unions are being told to stay at home.

There will be no public march as is customary every year.

JTUM said it intends to adhere to the protocols created to stem the spread of the pandemic.

Dr. Fuad Khan, the long-serving Member of Parliament for Barataria/San Juan bows out of politics.

Dr. Khan faced the screening committee of the United National Congress last night.

He says it was then he realised he no longer had the drive to continue in the political arena.

Speaking on The Morning Show on i95.5fm today, Dr. Khan said it was time to give the youth of the party a chance.

He says it was a personal decision, as he wanted to focus on his profession as an urologist.

It is rumored Opposition Senator Saddam Hussien may be the party’s candidate for Barataria/San Juan.

Dr. Khan said he would support whoever is chosen by the screening committee as he remains committed to the party.

Dr. Khan also said he was not contemplating being in the Senate, as he just wants out of politics.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service distances its officers from the killing of Roger Cabie in Carapo

It says contrary to mainstream and social media reports, the fatal shooting on Monday evening did not involve the police.

Mr. Cabie was reportedly shot by 3 men while outside his home on Simon Road.

Reports have claimed that the 44-year-old Mr. Cabie was shot during a police operation.

But a release from in the TTPS denies this.

It says officers were called to scene where Mr. Cabie’s bullet riddled body was found.

Commissioner Gary Griffith says while there were reportedly witnesses at the scene, no one has come forward to produce any information, photographs, videos or even the number plates of vehicles in the area at the time.