‘State of Emergency’

The San Juan Business Association has officially declared itself and the business community under a “state of emergency” and implemented a self-imposed curfew for its members, their families and immediate surroundings as part of its concern over the present spate of criminal activity, particularly kidnappings, throughout TT. A release from the Association expressed the belief that the Government had apparently lost control of the escalation of crime. “Members of the Association are concerned, highly emotionally charged and scared for the safety of their families and themselves,” it said. The Association noted that if the current level of crime continues for much longer, TT will not become the financial gateway between Latin America and the Caribbean, but rather the Cambodia and Vietnam of the region.

It said, “This situation is unacceptable and action must be taken to protect the interest of the business community. If the nation is to develop and the economy to stabilise, the Government must deal with crime now.” The Association is of the view that the time has come for the business community to take its own action given the fact that leadership has not been provided by the Government on the issue of crime. It has cautioned against doing anything to attract kidnappers such as buying new vehicles or making major investments into property or other capital investments until the emergency is lifted.