What has happened to TT hurts so much

Many have asked me what would I have done if I were Prime Minister. I say most confidently that such a scenario could not happen under my watch. No way ever.

As Prime Minister I would have said in no uncertain terms that anyone with an illegal gun has two weeks to deposit it in areas set up for collecting same with impunity. I will follow up with legislation that imposes a severe penalty on those caught with illegal guns. This will be supported by a gun court.

As Prime Minister, I will take away the advantage that criminals have on citizens by empowering law-abiding citizens through making firearms available to farmers, homeowners and businessmen who meet the requirements for legal firearms.

Criminals must know they can no longer break down someone’s door while the homeowner and family cower in fear. There must be an awareness that the proposed victim may be legally armed. I will immediately make available to citizens items like pepper spray, mace and stun guns. I will ensure that villages along the coastline are patrolled around the clock and ensure the Marine Branch of the Police Service is activated to patrol the rivers in Caroni, Mayaro and Moruga.

I will additionally pass legislation to remove old cases from clogging up the judicial system and expedite the cases before the courts. In general, the citizens of TT will know that the day of criminal domination is over.

If those simple things are not happening, then one ought to know that we simply do not care. After all, it’s us that allowed the Red House to fall apart, Whitehall to be abandoned and President’s House to be in a state of disrepair.

It is us who allowed the satellite dish in Chaguaramas to remain an eyesore with rust and decay, allowed the cemetery and church in Maqueripe that was also part of our unique history during the last world war to be destroyed and are now allowing vagrants to occupy the Mucurapo Foreshore.

My stomach aches with pain as I see us “soca down” the road of destruction wearing our red and yellow while we disregard the red, white and black.

Steve Alvarez via ema