PM promises anti-crime initiatives on Budget Day

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning said he will unveil Government’s latest initiative to combat and eventually curb the spiralling crime wave gripping TT in his budget presentation on Wednesday. Speaking at the People’s National Movement annual “September Affair,” — to mark the observance of Republic Day — at the Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s on Friday night, Manning, who is also political leader of that party said, “When the National Budget is read, Government will unveil very important interventions toward our crime fighting efforts.” He did not elaborate. However, in his review of the State’s crime fighting policies to date Manning said the use of technology was how Government aimed to win its war on crime.

He said, “The Special Anti-Crime Unit was the first in a series of initiatives laid out by Government, and was followed by the implementation of a radar system, half of which has already been installed and is operational, as well as an airship that uses technology to the limit.” He indicated that $1.2 billion was being spent on the purchase of three offshore vessels and six fast patrol vessels to secure this country’s coast line. Manning underscored that the training and retraining of police officers were essential to the State’s overall efforts in stemming the crime tide.

The Prime Minister said Christopher Thomas, chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) has a keen role to play in the effectiveness and efficiency of the police service. “The new chairman of the PSC is more amenable to discussion with government, thereby making more legislation possible.” Manning said, “Government’s confidence as it relates to winning the war on crime, is not based on wishful thinking. It is based on the studied approaches and experiences of other countries, to make our country developed and safe.”