Put soldiers in high-risk schools

THE EDITOR: Allow me space to add my voice to the many that have spoken in the light of two problems facing our country today; indisicpline in schools and crime in the wider society. I have already given my opinion as to the cause of these problems. Both stem from poor parenting. I place the blame squarely on the shoulders of parents, so a long range solution must start in the home. But I believe I have a short term solution. It involves using the army.

It seems to me that the armed forces have absolutely nothing to do but collect a salary. In theory, soldiers are supposed to defend the country from any external threat. But realistically, what external threat does Trinidad and Tobago face? So our armed forces are paid by taxpayers to do nothing. They simply sit and wait for the end of the month and collect their salary. I am suggesting they be put to good use.

This is my solution: Assign soldiers to high-risk schools — maybe two to each school — unarmed. Their job can simply be to walk around the schools. They certainly will be doing more than they are doing at present! There they can diffuse certain situations. It is a fact that the hooligans in the school system have become hooligans because of lack of parental control. I would like to see any teenaged “bad boy” tangle with two soldiers! The soldiers can also patrol the streets at the end of the school day in the vicinity of these high-risk schools. I predict that their presence will restore order to schools and help stop a lot of the indiscipline and violence.

With respect to the broader crime situation, “soldier posts” should be established in certain areas and manned round the clock. Instead of having soldiers waking up every morning, eating, drinking and marching, send them to Laventille, send them to Petit Valley, send them to the Library. They may work a six-hour or a twelve-hour shift. And there should be a visible soldier presence throughout the main shopping areas for this Christmas season. I am sure that these measures will help curb the current crime situation in our blessed country.

FRITZ BARTHOLOMEW
Diego Martin