Way to get rid of illegal guns

THE EDITOR: Please publish this letter addressed to The Honourable Prime Minister Mr Patrick Manning. Dear Mr Prime Minister, this letter highlights the policies that may be undertaken by the Government to decrease or even eliminate crime by next year: (1) Gun buy back policy. (2) Probation and curfew for ex-convicts and deportees. (3) Implementation of an Internal Security Act. (4) Stricter penalties for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping and drugs. No bail or higher bail amount imposed. With a population of only 1.4 million people in the beautiful and serene twin-island republic, the increasing rate of crime needs to be addressed in a swift and critical manner. It is a worrying aspect when we realise that there are more guns than knives in the country! The continued escalation of crime has been a cause of concern for both the citizens of this country as well as for foreign visitors. It is almost impossible for sustained economic and social growth when foreign investors are hesitant to invest and local entrepreneurs are leaving the country for fear of their lives. As a responsible member of this community, I would like to put forward a few suggestions which I believe may be helpful in our war against crime. Although I applaud the Government’s efforts, I trust that a plan must be implemented to induce people to relinquish their weapons especially guns.

Perhaps the Government can put into effect an amnesty period, of say, 30 days, whereby people who surrender their weapons will be rewarded monetarily or in kind for their peacekeeping effort. This buy-back programme will go down well with many businesses, multi-national companies and conglomerates as well as with every individual in this country. The Government may seek their support in contributing towards this programme and the result will be more dramatic. Deploying 1,000 retired police officers does not seem to be a cost effective and pragmatic move as it does not guarantee that the rate of illegal guns will decrease any time soon. The cost of deploying these police officers will be quite significant in the long run with no immediate visible results and does not assure a decline in illegal guns. However, with proper planning and execution of the buy-back programme, we should see a significant decline of illegal guns and murder next year. It would probably only take 20 percent of what it would cost to deploy the 1,000 police officers.

After the end of the amnesty period, stern and constant follow-up action needs to be undertaken. Intelligence reports from various peacekeeping departments, namely the Police, Army and Federal Reserve Unit, resulting from raids, road blocks etc, should be used to further eradicate weapons and guns from the streets. Random and discreet road blocks should be carried out in the Westmoorings, Maraval, Port-of-Spain, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Laventille, Morvant areas to name a few. All suspected convicts, ex-convicts and deportees should be put on probation, whereby they are required to sign in on a weekly of fortnightly basis at a designated police station. A curfew would need to be imposed on these said persons of say 8 pm unless permission was specifically applied for to leave for credible purposes, eg work. The reasons given would then be substantiated by the relevant authorities. No bail or a substantial bail amount should be extended when the crime involves murder, kidnapping or drugs. Countries like Singapore, Japan, Australia and China have strict laws that ensure national security as well as economic and social development. In Singapore, chewing gum is not allowed and this has helped the Republic maintain cleanliness and eliminate unsightly public areas. In China, tax evasion calls for life imprisonment. The death penalty is enforced for serious crimes in these countries.

The concept of the Internal Security Act as practiced by some countries may be helpful in improving and maintaining national peace and prosperity. This Act would enable the Government to detain suspected and known criminals without trial. In Singapore, Act 55 is enforced and in the United States where human rights policies are strongly upheld, have seen the authorities detain more than 10,000 suspected Al Qaeda terrorists. Almost 95 percent of them did not even have weapons or explosives when they were detained. Therefore, I have absolute confidence that with the current critical situation, the President, Non-Governmental Organisations, the Opposition Party and all businessmen will fully support the implementation of this new Act which will eliminate hardcore criminals. In order to achieve the goals envisioned for the year 2020, the Government must take effective measures to make them a reality. I believe the above suggestions may put the wheels in motion as I have great confidence in the wisdom of the Prime Minister and his office. As a reputable and respected leader in the domestic and international community, you will need to show them that the Government of this country is not taking these crimes lightly and will stand up to those who threaten the peace of this country with good acumen, confidence, and justification. The people of Trinidad and Tobago should not be made to endure the present conditions in which they are living, and we are looking to you, Prime Minister Manning for peace, harmony and a way of life of which we can be proud and uniquely call our own.

MICHEAL SAMAROO
Cascade