Minister Ameen condemns assault on Port of Spain alderman Wayne Griffith

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen has condemned the assault of Port of Spain City Corporation Alderman Wayne Griffith following the circulation of a viral video on social media. 

Griffith was attacked by several students of Tranquillity Government Secondary School on Monday afternoon in Port of Spain. 

In the video, Griffith is seen attempting to intervene in a fight involving students when a group turned on him, knocking him to the ground and assaulting him. 

In a media release, Ameen said she became aware of the incident and immediately attempted to contact Griffith directly but reached his voicemail. She said she later sent him a WhatsApp message out of concern. 

The minister also contacted Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander to express concern about the matter. According to the release, Alexander advised that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is actively addressing the incident. 

Ameen said she hopes the police investigation will identify those responsible and that appropriate action will follow. 

She also reiterated support for continued preventative measures to address school violence and anti social behaviour among young people. 

The minister pointed to ongoing initiatives involving police officers in schools, including Tranquillity Government Secondary School, and said these efforts have already contributed to a reduction in incidents of school violence across the country. 

While declining to speculate on the circumstances surrounding the incident pending the outcome of the police investigation, Ameen reaffirmed support for efforts aimed at promoting safety, respect and civility in communities and schools across Trinidad and Tobago.