Don’t address crime — we want to stay angry

THE EDITOR: The crime situation has taken over the country lock, stock and barrel. We keep calling on the authorities to do something about the prevalence of crime in the country, but whatever action that is pursued is met with stiff opposition from certain factions of the society. as a consequence most suggestions or ideas that come to the fore; are “shot-down” before seeing the light of day; stymieing their chances of being implemented. Let’s begin with the “New Crime Unit” that is being considered to supplement the Police Service. The police service is allegedly beleaguered with more than its share of “rotten-apples” which have infiltrated its ranks, rendering crime detection and the prosecution of criminals almost impossible. The Ministry of National Security has come up with an idea; novel in its approach, even a bit grandiose, to combat the overriding issues of kidnappings, extortions, narcotics and the surveillance of groups intent on terrorising TT; with the implementation of a Special Crime Unit; with all the resources and specialised training that the government could muster, under the command of Brigadier Peter Joseph an ex-commanding officer of the Regiment, with impeccable military qualifications.

This “Unit” may usurp certain police functions, but it is an innovative move, that should be given our unflinching support. If given a chance, the plan could be successful; even though Christopher Holder, President of the police second division has allegedly opposed it: for reasons best known to him. Second on the crime agenda is the implementation of an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) with the police working hand in hand with the Army in the fight against crime; with the primary focus on our docks and coastlines. This plan is geared towards the monitoring of the borders of TT by a state-of-the-art coastal radar system, allowing for the surveillance of our coastal waters with a view of curtailing drug trafficking which is presently rampant on our coast lines. The IATF proposed plan involving the monitoring of our coastlines has already been favourably enhanced, before its full implementation by positive results in the detection of murders, outstanding seizures of illegal weapons and ammunitions in high crime areas in TT. Not to mention that surprise searches of vessels at the Caricom wharf at the Port Authority have become necessary because of the prevalence of illegal activities which have transformed TT into a transhipment point of illegal activities in the region. The Government should be highly commended for its vision, in its pursuit of reclaiming our dock and coastlines from the control of the criminal element in TT. The preponderance of crime in TT did not escape the eyes of Lawrence Duprey, Chairman of Clico. Out of his concern for our country he undertook to bankroll Rudolph Giuliani’s visit to TT for his expertise in battling crime. Giuliani as mayor of New York City was responsible for the reduction of crime, which soon became the envy of all the major cities in the US.

Giuliani instantly became the number one crime fighter in the US Mexico City, with similar problems as New York City, contracted Giuliani for the sum of $4.3 million for his help in addressing its crime problems. After the termination of the contract with Giuliani, the police Chief Marcelo Ebrard of New Mexico said that despite the termination of the contract with Giuliani, his city planned to implement Giuliani’s entire plan. The TT Chamber of Industry of Commerce magazine, Contact, held an opposing view. It is not in favour of Rudolph Giuliani and presented its reason for being against him. The alleged article noted that while murders declined in New York by 51 percent between 1991 and 1996, when Giuliani was the Mayor of New York, Houston reduced murders by 59 percent during the same period. The article allegedly further stated that major cities like Boston, San Diego and Los Angeles experienced significant drops in crime since 1990. However, the article failed to note the population of the cities, with the significant drops in crime, to the population of that of New York and the number of murders committed. What if there were 500 murders in New York and 100 in Houston? Would that not throw the favourable percentage favouring Houston out the window? Another point was raised against Giuliani’s “aggressive order maintain policy” that was implemented in New York. To the contrary, that is exactly the type of strong arm method that is needed in TT at this point in time — different strokes for different folks. There are a great number of people in TT who would rather talk about the crime wave devastating the country than see it addressed. They prefer to be angry than to be at peace. They derive much pleasure, in talking about the solutions but stand firmly against them being administered.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin