Simple solution to complex problem

THE EDITOR: Much has been considered in an effort to combat the escalating crime situation. However, as usual, everyone keeps looking for some complex solution. How about trying the simple approach? It is obvious that crime ranges from the simplest acts to the most complex and even bizarre. This means that we have to institute a learning programme that will teach our people to obey all the laws. What I suggest does not have to be a long-term project, although it can be and without being a drain on the treasury. It will also make it possible to increase the police force as well as offer added incentive to the officers. Issue all police officers with receipt or ticket books. Each ticket valued at $5 keeping in mind that this is a training exercise. Any officer catching anyone committing any crime, be it littering, J-walking, public drinking, even illegal parking or speeding will be issued a ticket and pay the $5 on the spot. The public will be advised of the plan and be instructed not to pay unless a ticket is issued. When the public learns that they have to pay for their indiscretions each and every time they commit one, they will gradually stop.

Now here is the incentive for the officers. At the end of the day they turn in their ticket books and cash to the officer in charge of the station. It is checked for total collection then half of the collection goes to the treasury and half goes to the officer for a job well done. The half that goes to the treasury will be used to pay the newly added police officers and they in turn will bring in added revenue. For a plan as simple as this to work, there is one catch. It would be imperative that in all cases the police must exercise understanding and consideration before handing out the tickets, or else the police would end up making more enemies than friends. Once the public gets back on track we will find it easier to maintain a legal society and the police will find it much easier to perform their duties because the public will all be offering them greater support. Just think how clean and secure Trinidad and Tobago will be when we get to that stage.

RICHARD DEANE
Diego Martin