Stiffer penalties for crime

A 45-page report — compiled by the Trinidad and Tobago Citizens Agenda Network (TT Can) highlighting citizens views and action plans on ways to “Transform Local Government...Create Comm-unity Well Being” — will be distributed to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, Ministers and Members of Parliament.

One of the plans in the report suggests that Government implement stiffer penalties for all crimes, reform the education system and Police Service and strengthen Local Government. TT Can’s Coordinator, Sheilah Solomon, at the launch of the report yesterday at DOMA’s Henry Street offices, said the report arose out of a two-day National citizens consultation held earlier this year at the Centre of Excellence.
She explained that while some of the over 400 individuals and groups which participated felt there should be stiffer penalties. There was also the view that the penalties should apply to all offenders, irrespective of the criminal’s social status. She said participants, like the rest of the country, expressed the opinion that “crime was unacceptable” and there should not only be reactive, but proactive measures to deal with the issue.

In the report, participants further suggested more community policing, the use of community leaders and human resources to develop skills training, educational and career programmes, the need for literacy skills programmes and even the expansion of programmes like the Best Village competition, national sports and counselling services. Solomon said citizens identified as positive elements to tackle crime, the Crime Stoppers programme, more community policing, persons speaking out against crime and untapped willing human resources with varied experiences and skills. Among the constraints identified included fear of corruption at all levels, breakdown in the education system and illiteracy, unemployment and gang affiliation. The consultation was a collaborative effort between TT Can and the Ministry of Local Gove-rnment. The State financed the consultation while a number of corporate citizens financed the publication of the report.

Solomon said the conference allowed citizens to understand that they had the responsibility to establish an agenda for society to ensure a better way of life for all. She said the present reality was such that, “Governance arrangements do not provide for the voices of citizens to be heard consistently.” An examination of several issues, including crime prevention, sustainable livelihoods and differently abled citizens under the heading “Create Community Well-being”, as well as the citizens’ agenda, human resources and relations with Central Government under the heading “Transform Local Government” were discussed. At yesterday’s launch, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Terrance Jurawan, accepted copies of the report on behalf of Minister Jarrette Narine and Prime Minister Patrick Manning. TT Can will soon issue a brochure with what action citizens can take to “save TT”.