And in other news, Burrell Boom Village saw a spark of violence of the weekend when a Coast Guard Officer was injured in a fight. According to the police, he was at the park attending a basketball game when an altercation broke out that led to 34-year-old Daniel Sabido being hospitalized - with partial paralysis. ACP Hilberto Romero told us more.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Information is that Daniel Sabido was at the park at Burrell Boom when there was a fight in the area and as a result, he received injuries to the head. Someone hit him in the head with a baseball bat and a pint bottle. We have several persons in custody and investigation is being carried out to determine what charges will be levied on these persons."
Jules Vasquez
"What are the charges you all expect? Is it grievous harm, dangerous harm - what?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"That will depend on the injuries that are classified by the medical practitioner and so we expect to get those by either today or tomorrow."
Jules Vasquez
"And are you all concern for retaliation?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC, Eastern Division
"Yes, we are looking at the prospect for retaliation as we do not want this to escalate any further."
But while initial reports say Sabido was attacked, reports from the village accuse Sabido of being the aggressor. However, the chairman didn't want to point fingers just yet. He met with the ComPol today, airing out the concerns he has for the village following this incident. Today we spoke with both of them.
Anselm Gillett, Chairman, Burrell Boom Village
"I was out there at the game and yes, it was surprising, because we had a tournament going on for about maybe a month and we had no issues. We had always ask the assistance of the police to make sure that people come out and feel safe. Burrell Boom is a peaceful community, but you must understand that when you are attacking somebody, there will be retaliation and this is our fear that it gets out of hand. So yes, Burrell Boom is peaceful and we enjoyed the games and we just want it to continue that way."
Reporter
"The allegation is that it's the officer who initiated the attack. Is that your understanding?"
Anselm Gillett, Chairman, Burrell Boom Village
"That is my understanding, but like I said it's an ongoing investigation. I don't want to say something that is not true, but yes, that's what we heard. The police are doing their investigation to resolve this matter."
"Burrell Boom is growing. There's another community attached along with Fresh Pond, so we've ask that more patrols in the village dealing with the loitering, dealing with the drinking in public, stuff like that, things that we see stem to other issues. So basically (we're) just asking a little bit more power within Burrell Boom because it's getting bigger."
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"I assured him - because they were planning to stop the tournament - and I said to him don't stop the tournament. If you stop the tournament then you are giving in to the criminals. We want the tournament to continue because the tournament is geared at capturing or providing an outlet for those young people within the area who want to find something positive to do, so we cannot allow that to stop for the likes of any criminal who wants to achieve certain things. We are going to make sure that we provide the necessary security to make sure the tournament continues. Likewise, I have also said to them that the police will do what needs to be done to investigate the matter properly and make sure that all those persons who may be at fault or have some part to play in that particular fight are dealt with. If it is that we have to charge 30 of them and take them before a court, we are going to do that and they court may bound them over the peace and we have something on them. But we have to send a strong message. We cannot have a situation in a small village where groups are clashing over colours and are putting the wider pubic at risk. We can't have that. So we will do what needs to be done to make sure that the issue in Burrell Boom is addressed and address adequately."
Another man, 52-year-old Garryson Nicholson was also taken to the hospital with chop wounds. Both men are in stable conditions.
