National Security Minister makes more promises

EMBATTLED National Security Minister Martin Joseph, facing a burgeoning murder rate, yet again assured citizens that they can expect to see “dramatic but positive” results from law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime. Joseph, who has given several assurances and undertakings since assuming responsibility for National Security from Howard Chin Lee (who is now Tourism Minister) in November, 2003, said he was aware citizens were impatient, but assured that the law enforcement agencies will “rise to the occasion and deliver.” He added that the only dark cloud hanging over Trinidad and Tobago is the criminal activities of a few. Joseph pointed out that the police and other agencies have given the commitment of stamping out crime and handing communities back to law-abiding citizens.

He said as minister, he is certain results will materialise “soon.” Joseph gave his assurances during an appreciation function for applicants who attended the fifth Regular Session of The Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism at the Ministry of National Security yesterday. Latest police statistics showed that serious crimes such as murders, kidnappings, robberies, larceny of vehicles, rape and incest continue to rise on a daily basis. Up until yesterday, 71 persons were murdered for the year and 11 persons kidnapped for ransom. This represents a 33 percent increase in murders and an almost 40 percent increase in kidnappings for ransom this year over the same period last year. This was described as record highs by senior police officers.