Residents of Northeastern Settlement, Sangre Grande say the rapid expansion in what was once a quiet squatting village has “destroyed the area’s innocence” causing it to move from a community where people were “trying to do better for themselves” to a place of refuge for those hiding from the law or their enemies.

Homeowners have reported an increase in shootings in the community in recent times, along with a rise in gang-related violent crimes.

The previously peaceful development began approximately four decades ago with a handful of squatters living in a forested area, just under one kilometre north of the Sangre Grande Hospital.

One elderly man, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “When my wife and I came here it didn't have water so I used to have to go to the standpipe out where they had roads, because we didn’t even have roads in here. I had to get the water and bring it back home in buckets. We were the last house in here.”

He said more forest was destroyed making way for several other houses to the back of his home.

The community has since grown to a densely populated 320-acre space encompassing hundreds of houses, paved streets, some with street lights, and thriving small businesses such as mini marts, a tyre shop, bakery and a mosque.

Street names such as Road Three, Road Four, Road Six, and Road Seven, give an insight into the speed with which the community expanded and the subsequent shortfall in the required infrastructure, to keep pace with its growth. There are no box drains in some areas and the water supply is infrequent.

Residents spoke with Newsday after the police killing of contractor Brandon De Gale, 33, at his Northeastern Settlement home on November 28.

His shooting provoked a wider discussion in the community with some now asking, “How we reach here?”

Newsday visited the area on November 29 to get the views of residents on the torrents of crime sweeping their community.

De Gale was killed by a single shot from a police officer around 5 am during a search for arms and ammunition.

A statement from the police said De Gale pulled out a gun from under a pillow and pointed it at police when they entered his bedroom.

Police also say they seized a .38 revolver, ammunition and marijuana.

[caption id="attachment_1048212" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A police patrol moves through the Northeastern Settlement, Sangre Grande on November 29, one day after residents protested the police killing of a resident. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

The police involved-shooting led to protests in the area with debris set alight in roads throughout the community.

De Gale was employed as a contractor building box drains in the community. Some residents claim his life was under threat over those contracts.

The protests divided the community. Younger residents believed it was necessary while the older residents expressed unease with the actions of protesters.

That divide was also apparent when they were asked their thoughts on the crime situation in their community and how