Comforting remarks for the criminal element

THE EDITOR: I want to publicly support the Ag Commissioner of Police Mr Everald Snaggs when he said that continuous negative remarks on crime only give the criminal element comfort and encouragement to carry out their evil acts against society. The Commissioner did not identify the persons who bombard the country with the negativity but I am sure he was referring to several hosts on radio stations who take pleasure in attacking the Minister of National Security, the Police Service and the Government as a whole on a daily basis. While I agree that the media has a duty to report on any issue in the country, it is imperative that when opinions are expressed the journalist must ensure that both sides are told. It is one thing to express a view under the guise of press freedom but it can have devastating effect when it is done in an irresponsible manner.

As a citizen I have always had serious concerns about the advertisement aired on all radio stations by Tony Lee on behalf of the Crime Stoppers Programme. My fear and concerns stem from the fact that while Mr Lee is the messenger who is paid to encourage citizens to cooperate with the police in the fight against crime, he is a completely different person when he hosts his morning programme with his side kicks Dale Enoch and teacher Myroon Ali. Almost every morning citizens tune in their radio to hear the same messenger (Tony Lee) brutalise the Police and the Minister of National Security. I monitored one week of Mr Lee’s comments and noted with disbelief that he said he had no confidence in the Police and Mr Chin Lee for the five straight days. In every instance he was ably supported by Enoch and teacher Myroon (as she is affectionately called). Enoch’s derogatory remarks about the Government and the Police are not unexpected but it is teacher Myroon’s conduct that shocked me. She said on several occasions that their role is not to assist the Police or the Government. I wondered then that if a teacher can utter such words on national radio then the fight against crime is even more difficult and innocent citizens are put at greater risk.

Just imagine for one moment the bizarre scenario on national radio in this country of Trinidad and Tobago. On one hand there is the police messenger (Tony Lee) attacking the police with impunity (some times he takes bets that all the police crime plans will definitely fail), then there is Enoch with his personal political agenda and a teacher deliberately advocating non-cooperation in the fight against crime. It begs the question, Is the media still the institution to inform and educate? It is for this reason I was pleased to hear the Commissioner of Police’s most profound statement that continuous negative remarks give the bandits comfort and encouragement. I hope the powers that be move swiftly and take the advice of the Commissioner of Police before more damage is done to our beloved country.

TERRANCE ST HILL
St James