Never Exit Your Vehicle to Intervene in a Street Fight

When you witness a violent altercation involving a large group in a public street, the instinct to step in — especially when a child is being harmed — is natural. But in T&T, group fights can involve a dozen or more participants who will redirect violence toward any new presence, regardless of intent. In May 2026, Alderman Wayne Griffith witnessed a large group of students assaulting a child on Dundonald Street in Port of Spain and exited his car to break up the fight. The group immediately turned on him: he was struck repeatedly about the head and body, and his cellphone and wristwatch — valued at approximately $7,000 — were stolen during the assault. His vehicle was a protective barrier; abandoning it made him an isolated, momentarily distracted target with no escape route. The act of intervening physically gave the group a new victim without removing the original threat.

Steps to follow:

• If you witness a street fight involving multiple persons, do not exit your vehicle — remain inside with doors locked and windows up.
• Call 999 immediately and provide the exact location, number of persons involved, and direction the group is moving; police response is the appropriate intervention for group violence.
• If you feel compelled to alert others, use your horn continuously to draw attention to the scene from inside your car — this can deter attackers and attract bystanders without exposing you.
• Do not approach on foot even after stopping — once you exit the vehicle, you cannot quickly return to safety if the group redirects aggression toward you.
• Record video from inside your vehicle if you can do so without attracting attention; hold the phone below the window line and do not broadcast live — this footage is evidence for police.
• Remain in the area at a safe distance until police arrive if possible; your witness account and any footage you captured will support the investigation and any subsequent charges.