On the night before he took up the appointment of Acting Commissioner of Police, James Philbert promised to bring about an end to criminal activity in Felicity through a number of measures, including the setting up of a police post in the area.

He assured residents of the Central Trinidad community that with the proposed measures, "people in the area who have been complaining about the steep increase in crime will soon be able to sleep comfortably at nights".

Speaking to villagers on Thursday night at a meeting organised by Jack Warner, MP for Chaguanas West, Philbert said, "I hope to lead in a few days' time, and you can expect a change for the betterment. You will see changes taking place quickly which will bring satisfaction to you."

But he called on his audience to support the new measures and not to feel sorry for criminals.

"We would pursue criminals relentlessly, and you should not feel sorry for them. We are ready to take the fight forward and you should see changes very soon," he said.

Philbert and other senior police officers were on hand at Cacandee Road, Freeport, at the invitation of Warner and community leader Imam Rasheed Karim.

Karim, of Freeport, has been leading the struggle to rid Felicity of criminals who have virtually brought the village under siege, with a number of killing, rapes, burglaries and other crimes. One of the things they have been clamouring for over the past year was a police post in their district.

At the end of the meeting, Karim handed a petition to Richardson Franklyn, advisor to the Minister of National Security, which was signed by some 6,000 people. The petition calls on the Minister to use his powers to bring peace and safety to the district.

Philbert said the plans to rid the country of criminal elements would take "different forms in different places". He said "while there is some contention regarding the use of the army, as the civil arm entrusted with the safety of citizens, we will resume control in the shortest possible time".

But as he announced some measures to deal with criminals, Philbert said there was need for fundamental changes in the operations of the Police Service. "We need to change our scope and manner in which we do business," he said.

He said one of the strategies that will be used was that "the police will sit with" true community leaders "to find out the measures that should be adopted in different districts". But he warned: "If you do not speak to us we will not be able to help you."

Philbert said in a few days, forms will be distributed to different communities for people to note their observations about criminal activities in their respective areas, and make the appropriate suggestion to reduce the illicit activities.

As for the conduct of police officers who perform their duties in an unprofessional manner, Philbert said, "We have started a campaign to remove undesirable police officers and we need you to help us to identify those who are not performing in the public's interest."