The PNM’s war on crime

SINCE returning to power in December 2001, the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) has introduced several plans aimed at addressing the country’s ever worsening crime situation. Starting during the tenure of Howard Chin Lee, who held the position of National Security Minister until a Cabinet reshuffle in early November 2003, the ruling party’s anti-crime measures have included acquisition of several pieces of high-tech equipment, patrol boats and vessels, institution of an elite squad within the police service and joint police/army patrols. The first in the long list of crime plans was Operation Anaconda, introduced in February 2002 with much fanfare. This initiative involved, for the most part, army/police patrols, road blocks and lockdowns in several areas.

According to Chin Lee, the aim was to put a squeeze on escalating crime. On the day that the plan was instituted, an impressive convoy of 50 vehicles and 300 policemen and soldiers was deployed from the St James Barracks to carry out a series of raids, road blocks and searches along the East West Corridor. However, while the plan was being enforced, a lone gunman robbed the Chaguaramas branch of Republic Bank of $25,000 and escaped, shooting a yachtie, John Jeffrey. Chin Lee later declared the exercise a success and claimed that it had targetted high- crime zones. In the long run, Operation Anaconda, which bore the same name as a Bush administration operation in the early stages of the Iraq war, drew heavy criticisms and yielded very few arrests. It was eventually discarded. By December 2002, Chin Lee was announcing a new plan — Weed and Seed. However this initiative suffered a quiet and early death.

Since then, in response to public criticisms, several crime plans have been announced and instituted with very little success. During 2003, the focus was on beefing up street patrols and increasing manpower within the police service. Plans were unveiled for adding 1,000 new officers to the service. The Government rejected a crime plan proposed by former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani who had been credited with reducing the high crime rate in that US city. Late last year, the Manning Administration accepted a $5.7 million plan by Professor Stephen Mastrofski of George Mason University. The plan, aimed at transformation of the police service, involved strengthening of the Police Complaints Division and improving performance management systems for better accountability.

Earlier in the year, some of the recommendations made by the Ken Gordon Crime Committee were accepted by the Government. These included a heavy round-the-clock police/army presence on Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain; round-the-clock foot patrols in other known crime hot spots; a helicopter patrol; and continuous raids, searches and road blocks for illegal drugs, arms and ammunition. In May 2004, Prime Minister Patrick Manning announced that state-of-the-art radar facilities would be installed to boost surveillance of the country’s coastlines. He said a link had been found between the country’s escalating crime problem and the drug trade and it was Government’s intention to eradicate the illegal trade.

The Prime Minister also said helicopters with attack capabilities were to be purchased to patrol TT’s maritime area. Last June, the Manning Administration launched yet another anti-crime effort, including efforts to resume hangings and a package of emergency legislation for police reform. The most recent of the PNM’s anti-crime initiatives were contained in recent Budget. These latest measures include seeking technical assistance for the police service through Scotland Yard and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).