Delinquents pursuing nefarious activities

THE EDITOR: Please permit me the opportunity to comment on an issue directly related to the level of crime in the country. I read about the capture of 50 suspects in central by law enforcement officers. I can vividly recall seeing similar headlines at least once every three months in which a number of people are captured and charged for various crimes. It’s either a case of the country being infested with criminals or there are a small group of delinquent characters who are being released on bail to persist with their nefarious activities. As I am not privy to this information, I don’t know which of the two is applicable, but I would like to think it’s the latter.

And if it is the latter, then this is surely one of the main reasons for the escalating crime situation as these predators are back on the streets willing and able to threaten ordinary citizens. I believe there is a serious miscarriage of justice taking place in TT as the rights of the criminal element seriously exceed the rights of others in society. Beginning with the probably poorly trained police officer investigating the crime, to the office of the DPP with relatively junior staff, to the crime labs and pathologists with their limited equipment and techniques, are seldom able to produce a water tight case. Then comes the sharp and unfortunately skillful defence lawyer who turns the evidence ‘upside down’ and demands the release of his client.

Finally the jury, in their desire to ensure a fair trial, will acquit the frequently guilty party who thanks the Lord in front of the cameras as he departs the hall of justice, with jubilant relatives. What a mess. So crime progresses slowly but surely until there is an avalanche of it as is occurring in the country now. Unfortunately there are no immediate solutions to this problem, but if people start taking responsibility for their actions and not always seek to extricate themselves by blaming someone else, then there is a chance of turning it around. A country’s political leadership can also certainly help to guide a people’s destiny. This destiny contains both an economic and social dimension.

Governments tend to emphasise the economic, but can do grave damage to the social aspect through neglect or misguided overtures. Our country’s prime ministers both present and future should remember that the most revered leaders in history have always stretched for the moral high ground and by doing so ironically create a whirlwind of support within their society as evidenced by Mandela, Ghandi and King in the 20th century. Is it possible to find someone like that in TT, because the country desperately needs him/her.

C RODRIGUEZ
Petit Valley