This was the recurring theme presented by Cedric Washington last week at the Caribbean Security Forum held at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain. He gave a lengthy presentation about gang violence, its nature and strategies to address it.

“We have the same problem as you do in TT, as it pertains to murder, detection and solving these crimes, but what helped us in California was the use of GPS monitoring for offenders, covert social media accounts, covert operations and sentence enhancement,” said Washington, a police officer for the past 26 years with the LAPD.

In California ,there is an act titled, California Street Terrorism Enhancement Prevention Act, which gives law enforcement the opportunity to arrest a person and then enhance their sentence by a lot of time.

“For instance if we arrest him for robbery, murder or rape if we can prove that he is a gang member then we can enhance their sentence significantly, keeping him off the streets,” Washington said.

“These strategies can possibly be used by TT to deter criminal activity, but law enforcement abusing their power in any way will not solve the problem,” Washington added.

Wendell Wallace, local Barrister and Criminologist also presented on strategies to address gang related crime.

His presentation titled Understanding, Responding and Treating with the Threat of Gangs in TT highlighted the prevalence of gangs in TT.

According to Wallace’s research there are heavy concentrations of gangs in Portof- Spain, Western Division, North-Eastern Division and Central Division.

“In terms of the prevalence of gangs we will always have conflicting figures as it pertains to the exact number of gangs,” said Wallace.

He explained that there is a large cross-section of youths who are involved in petty gang activity and the serious gang activities are perpetrated by a small group of individuals within society.

“Crime and gang activity are social problems, this is important because we need to understand gang characteristics before we can effectively treat with the problem. If you have an improper diagnosis in terms of the levels of gangs in TT then proposed solutions will not work,” said Wallace.

Director of the Ensafe (Institution for Health, Safety and Counselling Training) and New Vision Learning Centre on Coffee Street in San Fernando Hassim Ali made this announcement on the weekend during a ceremony to hand over food supplies, clothing and pharmaceutical items to be shipped to Dominica.

Ali said the school would offer scholarships to ten students valued $56,000. He said the scholarships would be offered to students in the field of phlebotomy, Nebosh and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSE C) classes. Nebosh is a UK-based independent examination board delivering vocational qualifications in health, safety and environmental practice and management.

Ali said tuition would also cover uniforms, books and extra fees. He said two students would receive the phlebotomy scholarship, three would be selected for the Nebosh course and five would be offered private tuition in different subject areas in CSE C.

Ali said his offer is an open invitation to the Prime Minister and other agencies to meet with him to discuss and finalise details of the proposals.

“It is an open invitation to the Prime Minister to come meet with me as we are willing to open our doors to these students. We are here to help,” Ali said.

Last week Tuesday, Category 5 Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica leaving hundreds homeless. At least 17 people were killed while 20 others are still missing and feared dead. Many areas of the island have also been cut off due to damage to roads and other infrastructure.

“It is heart-breaking to know what these people are going through, but they are our neighbours and if you can help your neighbour you should act upon it. If your neighbour roof was blown off I am sure you would want to help, the Dominican nationals are our Caribbean neighbours,” Ali said.

He added that citizens need to open their hearts and remember that giving is divine.

The Ensafe Institution is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago while the New Vision in Learning is recognized by the Education Ministry. Ali said students took money from their pockets to purchase cases of water, tinned food items, clothing and more that would be sent to Dominica.

Saith was among a trio of distinguished nationals including veteran calypsonian McCartha “Calypso Rose” Lewis and HIV/ AIDS researcher Professor Courtenay Bartholomew to receive the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), at the Republic Day National Awards ceremony at NAPA in Port of Spain.

He said such a grade for good governance is now much harder than in his day, when petrodollars gushed. Calypso Rose, who is currently out of the country, will receive her medal at a future date while Prof Bartholomew’s daughter collected the award on his behalf.

Saith served as Senate Leader for ten years and minister with the portfolios of energy, planning, public administration and trade, in the Patrick Manning government. Reflecting on his ministerial tenure, Saith said, “you simply do what you have to do”, when in office. Saith said he was surprised on learning that he was to receive the nation’s highest award.

Asked about governance in TT, he said it is hard now because there is a lot of stress on people.

He said so far, the Government under Prime Minister Keith Rowley has managed well, as their job is not easy in the current economic environment.

Asked if he had any Budget advice for Finance Minister Colm Imbert, Saith replied, “No Budget advice. That’s for others to do now. But I’m available if anybody wants advice. But it’s a new team in town. They have to buckle down and take the responsibility.” Rating the Government’s performance at seven out of 10, he said, “This is not an easy time. I’ve been in government when they had money, but they (the current government) don’t have much now.” Saith said what is needed now, is prudent management of the economy where Government can get value for money, which has always been a problem.

Earlier, a highlight of the award presentation came when all present rose to give a standing ovation to Yuklan Sancaro who collected the Hummingbird Medal (Bronze), awarded for gallantry posthumously to her son, David Sancaro who was murdered for seeking to intervene and save a woman from being abused by her estranged lover.

President Anthony Carmona and his wife Reema, as well as Prime Minister Rowley, embraced Mrs Sancaro who wept as she received the award from the President. Rowley’s wife Sharon and Chief Justice Ivor Archie also hugged the still grieving woman.

The audience all rose in tribute to Sancaro’s son.

Sancaro later told reporters she was glad to be present at the function. “It was very, very hard for me to come here. I lost my 17-year-old child. The President just said he feels for me. He knew David because David was from Fyzabad. The President told me that my son’s death really hurt the whole country,” Sancaro said.

A man is at present before the courts charged for the son’s murder.

Kathryn Shepherd of the Pointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust welcomed her award as, “very good for the environment.” Veteran calypsonian Robert ‘Lord’ Nelson said he felt loved and wonderful and saw the award as a sign of, “going forward.” Asked about Calypso Rose’s absence, Nelson said she was in New York recording her music and, “doing her thing.” “Last week I was in Brooklyn with Rose. We did the Labour Day thing. We had a good time, we ‘mash up’ the place, as usual.

By next week I’ll be going to Sweden.” On modern soca, Nelson said, “As time changes, the music changes. It’s not really in a form that I could get into or understand.

I had my time (which) makes what is happening now.” Saying he was very happy, he praised God and asked blessings on TT.

Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez said he felt “very special” over his award. “I really didn’t expect it. It’s a good feeling and I hope it’s encouraging to the young generation coming up. This award is dedicated to my family – my mum, my dad, my wife, my daughter.” He also said this award belongs to TT, in whose name he works.

Alvarez couldn’t give details of how news of his award was leaked to social media ahead of the formal disclose by President’s House, but said it must have happened amid all the excitement of family members over this, “special moment.” Alvarez denied that he personally had broken protocol in this matter, but said that for any family member doing so, he apologised on their behalf.

Asked if it was his wife Fay-Ann Lyons-Alvarez, Alvarez said, “It probably was. I can’t remember. I think it was.” He said that on-stage President Carmona had congratulated him and said he is looking forward to upgrading the colour of Alvarez’s award to gold.

It is anti-republican and needs to be made republican. Here are seven reasons why: 1. Anti-development. Port of Spain houses an amalgam of large corporate business interests which have little interest in genuine national development. One of the elements of this amalgam is an ingrained merchant class, whose chief interest is importation; and is antagonistic to any attempts to develop our local production base, in food, medicine, culture, housing, and planning generally. Its culture is a sign; mas has become anti-French, anti-African, anti-Minshallian: imported jingle and beads.

2. Large mainstream media corporations “push the head” of Washington politics. They tow the line, verse, chapter and gospel, of the mainstream media in the West. They hold very little opinion independent of this western ideology; one which is imperialistic and CIA-driven, demonising attempts at self-assertion and independence globally.

They are antagonistic towards altered world views; their editorials fill the current void with platitudes and self-serving sermons.

3. The Parliament, the Red House at the centre, houses an antiquated form of colonial government, based on race and across-the-aisle banter, chicanery, adverserialism, and verbal violence. It takes no ethical position on global issues; unless it is approved by western media, leaders, senates and parliaments.

It is its own world, detached from the local, the everyday needs of the lands, peoples and communities of the nation.

It taxes and receives astounding incomes from gas and oil produced elsewhere in the republic; but does not provide commensurate goods, services and leadership.

It plotted, in 2000, a failed Natural Gas Master Plan, which would have, but for our activist communities, opened us up to a nasty species of globalisation: the trade of our vital economic, social and ecological assets for dubious financial returns.

4. The Judiciary is inflexible.

It lacks reach. It is hamstrung by backlog. It has not developed a vigilant system of justice on the ground. In the absence of live, direct and reachable justice on the ground, people take the law into their own hands. It is bogged down by paper; by inefficiency; by formalities which belong to the colonial past. It has failed to reform and alter our ruinous prison system.

5. The Red House is a symbol of colonial rule. It houses a colonial Parliament. It is a symbol of State bureaucracy; with petty clerks often engaging in petty monetary exchange to perform simple tasks. A symbol of political and administrative procrastination.

And a symbol of bloodshed; it is the site (Conquerabia) of a genocide of First Peoples. It was built on the blood and sacred bones of a vilified and slaughtered people.

6. Jam-packed. Port of Spain has drawn communities from far and wide to settle around it. The valleys of Diego Martin, Maraval, St Ann’s, the hills of Morvant and Laventille, the districts of San Juan and Barataria are the most disadvantaged in the republic.

Extremely high population densities lead to alienation and poor living conditions. This is horrible; hustle, unemployment, violence, psychological stress takes a severe toll on children, women, the indigent and the elderly. The traffic outside its gates is insupportable.

7. The dump outside Port of Spain emits pollution 24 hours a day into homes in Sea Lots, the Laventille and Morvant hills, and the city itself. Where there should be flourishing fish, floral, biotic kingdoms there is pollution, contamination, dead dog and, therefore, corbeaux galore.

This dump is an emblem of decay, rot, pollution and the larger malaise afoot. Port of Spain is a besmirched swamp; it is caught in “half-tide” between the colonial master and the masses.

A nation aspiring to republicanism cannot afford an unfree, anti-republican, colonial centre as its headquarters. Port of Spain is a symbol of colonial stoogism, colonial order, colonial centralisation, colonial bureaucracy, colonial government, colonial classism and racism. It has not ever, from 16th century to the present, not represented foreign rule, colonial authority. How can Port of Spain become free, become republican? By decentring power. By radically diversifying our system of government. By creating strong and vigilant constituency government and leadership. By moving Parliament out of Port of Spain, to a central location.

By decentralising justice. And services. And police. By taking down the carbuncle of colonial rule and bureaucracy, the Red House, and returning the land on which it is located to the First Peoples to erect a permanent quarter there; an example, symbol and reminder of pre-Colombian civilization: the path forward, with its ecologic and cosmo l o g i c visions and practices.

Last week, Sancho’s former Trinidad and Tobago teammate and the club’s coach Stern John made his competitive comeback, at the age of 40.

The decision to use John as a player/coach has been criticised by players and fans of local football, especially as the legendary TT striker is also an assistant to national men’s team coach Dennis Lawrence.

Central FC are currently seventh in the 10-team points standings with 10 points from as many games, and they suffered a resounding 6-0 beating by North East Stars in their last game on Friday at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.

John was accused by members of the North East Stars team of alleged belittling comments about their skills, as well as their prospects of gaining selection on the national squad.

Sancho, during an interview yesterday, called the issue of John’s return to the competitive arena, as well as his barbs towards the North East players, as a “non story.” He pointed out, “We have a limited squad. It’s well documented.

We have six injuries in the squad.

“He’s fit enough to play and he has the ability still to play.

So he could play.

“I have no problem with that.

He was registered from before anyway. It’s not the first time this has happened.” Sancho continued, “As I’ve said before, the real story is why is this situation occurring, in terms of the League. And I don’t see like anyone wants to address this situation. I don’t know if people are afraid to say that the clubs were promised subventions from the start of the season by the Ministry of Sport. And we’re all in this situation now because of broken promises. So I don’t know what else (people) expect the clubs to do.” Sancho, the former Minister of Sport, admitted that the financial plight have left a number of players disenchanted.

“It’s not much you can do,” he acknowledged.

“You just have to hang on.

And that is what we’ve been doing. We’ve been trying to make sure we can continue.

We have a service to over 300 footballers.

“What would happen if this League crashes? What you think will happen with the crime rate? That is my problem.

This is not about me. This is about young men and football in this country. That is the bigger picture.” Are the club owners trying to mobilise support from within the League to address the subvention issue, as to whether or not it will resume and what alternative measures will be taken? Sancho replied, “The owners have to stop thinking about who want to win the League.

The survival of the League is the most important thing. We haven’t gotten subventions since April.

“That is not fair. That is the number one challenge. Nobody is saying that the League should be hand-and-foot on the Government, but you have to look at what this League brings to this country. This thing has realistic implications.

“I don’t know if it’s a political thing and I don’t care. My main concern is the sportsmen and sportswomen who are struggling to put books in their children’s bags. In terms of the League, we’ll have to re-function.

Central would change our module and be competitive, that’s for sure.”

During celebrations at Jaffa at the Oval, Port of Spain, one member of the association Ladi Franklin said the association needs to look at building a stronger and more highly effective association.

“My advice is we need to look at things that are important if we are going to attain this objective.

We definitely need to continue to have strong leadership.

We also need to be looking at problem solving approaches.” She said it can no longer be the same business as usual for organisations and associations like theirs.

“The world in which we live in now is rapidly changing, however it is becoming a world that is highly unpredictable, tumultuous and these days we are seeing some fierce some events here in the Caribbean as well as Nigeria. We are facing our share of economic, social and environmental challenges in magnitudes we have never seen before with greater integration and globalisation. What this means is that the world is now a global village and what happens in one country of community affects all of us.” She said this meant that the Nigerian Women Association cannot operate by just simply praying and hoping times will change.

“We must rise up and ask what can we do, what role can we play, no matter how small in the present scheme of things in the world.” Franklin said Nigerian women are known for their entrepreneurial spirit and it would not be hard for them to see opportunities within the current challenges.

“There is one thing that characterises the African woman’s history and it is stepping up to social responsibility with creativity and commitment in times of great stress. We are strong and there are lots we can do no matter the challenges we face. This means our actions must become contextual, intentional, purposeful and aimed at providing solutions in pursuit of the greater good for betterment of our families, communities, our nations.” She described the association as a unique one as it was made up of a rich collection of traditions, cultures, societies and experiences.

“It is also located in a wonderful country like TT and that is worth celebrating as well. We have come to love this country that has welcomed us, embraced us and provided us with an enabling environment where we are thriving and in turn we are able to add value to lives that we come into contact with.”

Earthquakes in Mexico, Philippines and China

Drought in Somalia; South Sudan; Nigeria

Hurricanes in British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean

Dengue outbreaks in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Landslide and mudslides in Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone

Bombings in France and Spain

Trucks used as weapons of murder in Stockholm and Germany and fires in India and UK All of which have devastated many communities and profoundly affected large numbers of people.

Yet, in many instances the psychological and mental health responses within disaster preparedness strategies are inadequate.

When sudden and unexpected tragedies occur, the immediate humanitarian reaction is to focus on the physical needs of those affected.

While that is important, it must not be forgotten that disasters also significantly impact psychological well-being, and therefore mental health requires equal attention.

The shock and disbelief that such a devastating situation has occurred, and the hopes and wishes that it would somehow just be an unpleasant nightmare that will eventually disappear; the feelings of powerlessness, the guilt and frustration of not being able to prevent the situation or help others; and the enduring fears that something equally disastrous could happen again, and in some circumstances the intuitive need to apportion blame, and show hostility towards others, are just some of the feelings that often emerge.

In addition to which, on any given day there are many people struggling with emotional and mental health challenges such as depression, bipolar disorder or addiction.

The World Health Organisation estimates that “one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives”. So, when disasters strike it is not only the trauma of the situation that they will have to contend with.

Anyone who has been in close proximity to a disaster will tell you that often the shock of the situation shakes you to the core and makes you aware of their own vulnerability.

It also presents a greater perspective on coping abilities and resilience, and provides an opportunity for a truer display of humanity and community comradery.

In the wake of a disaster it is great to see that despite negative/ positive emotions and cognitions, people will mobilise themselves and come together to deal with whatever crisis has befallen their community.

That new engagements and interactions will be made, thereby strengthening and fostering community cohesion. But at the heart of it all, is a reminder that there are individuals and families struggling to come to terms with their individual losses of loved ones, possessions, memories, home and community support networks.

There will be groups and organisations suddenly working outside of their area of expertise, navigating and fitting into changing environments, and that the members of those groups are also individuals experiencing their losses and emotional discomforts. The wider community – locally, nationally and internationally will also be affected in some shape or form, whether it is because they have relatives, friends, or kindred connections.

Disasters can have far-reaching effects, and while there are so many unknowns that suddenly emerge when tragedy strikes, making it difficult to prepare for every eventuality, in the immediate aftermath of any tragedy there will always be panic and chaos. But, mental and emotional well-being and community healing should not to be left to chance, instead, a well thought-out, co-ordinated psychological response ought to be one of the facets of effective disaster preparedness.

Dr Yansie Rolston FRSA is a UKbased disability and mental health specialist advisor. She is a social strategist and trainer who works internationally at various levels of government, business and civil society.

Contact her at yr@efficacyeva.com

Last week, during a 20-minute midday trek to purchase lunch, my concern ran on all of the professionals who endure work outside during hot spells and heavy rain.

In that same instance, I witnessed the unfortunate incident of a disgruntled motorist abusing a traffic warden and my heart sank because I know these individuals work hard to maintain order and safety on the streets.

I am looking forward to the amendments for the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act so that these officers can be given the credit and the weight for their manual labour and tireless efforts.

SALLY BAKSH via e-mail

Obviously, sexting is one way of heightening an impending sexual interlude, or keeping partners connected and intimate while they are apart. This works well of course when sent at an appropriate time and to the right cell phone, and it has been advised that sexting be specifically reserved for mature adults in a committed relationship.

Most likely mature adults are more likely to better handle the backlash if an explicit photo of themselves or text message gets exposed or leaked.

Nevertheless, as a responsible sex educator, who recognises that this way to engage in ‘naughty communications’ is practiced by many people, committed or not, and as one who also recognises that this activity is not going to stop anytime soon, I have researched some suggested ‘DOs’ and ‘DON’Ts’ about using your mobile phone to send sexy text messages or photographs.

Before I go to those, however, I MUST stress the following: While civil and internet laws have been slow to catch up with what’s happening with technology in the 21st century, and especially so in our developing nation, sexting that involves those who are underage can lead to child pornography charges, or sexual harassment of a minor, so keep all sexts between consenting adults.

Some countries have revenge porn laws that prevent the publication of sexual images without consent of the person/s in the image. While there are many possible legal avenues for prosecution of people who knowingly breach the confidence of those sending sexual messages, in practice, sexually explicit images can be widely circulated without the consent of the originator.

(Side bar: I’m curious … Whatever happened to regular phone sex – don’t people do this anymore? At least with phone sex, there is less possibility of finding oneself in a compromised situation.)

Olivia Baniuszewicz co-author (along with Debra Goldstein) of Flirtexting: How to Text Your Way into His Heart, offers these rules for sending successful sexy messages to your spouse or partner: Stick to these guidelines and you are less likely to find yourself embarrassed or compromised.

Onika Henry is a Sex Educator and Sex Coach who consults and designs presentations, workshops, training and psycho-educational counselling, to address sexual health concerns. She can be contacted at 381-3049 or email onikahenry@gmail.com

DOs

DO sext your partner if you are naturally shy or find it challenging to verbalise what you like sexually. This is one way of making it easier.
Explore the casual environment of a text to reveal your sexual fantasies.

DO sext to keep in touch. If you away or travel often for business, keep the spark alive and remain intimate with your significant other when you’re apart. When you’re about to go to sleep and you miss your partner, text that you’re all alone in bed and ask for a suggestion for something to do. He or she will gladly take it from there.

DO send a sext to your significant other while you are out to dinner with friends. There’s a certain thrill and sexual excitement about exchanging sexy and covert messages in public.

DO remember that less is more. There are ways to be suggestive, and sensual without revealing all. It’s sexier to not take it all off for a camera phone. Instead, send sensual, suggestive photo texts. For example, you might take a picture of your bed and write “Room for two” or take a picture of your lips and text “They miss you.”

DON’Ts

Here are Baniuszewicz’s cautions about texting:

DON’T sext if you just met someone. If you just started dating a new person, or you don’t or can’t completely trust someone, don’t send a sext. You’re taking the risk of having your photo leaked or forwarded, of turning off the person on the receiving end, or having the photo get into the wrong hands.

DON’T ever include your face in a naked photo text. This protects you from embarrassment if the photo ends up being seen by someone other than the intended receiver.

DON’T take sexting requests too seriously and don’t allow yourself to be bullied or coerced into sending them. It’s fine to have a little fun teasing your partner. If he or she’s begging for you to send a picture of yourself, take a picture of your lingerie catalog or some other sexy magazine picture and write “Not mine, but I’m still thinking of you.”

DON’T forget to delete any sexts or photos after viewing them. This is especially important if there are any children in your home who might get a hold of your phone (children are more tech-savvy than you think!)

I have observed as the discussions have turned vitriolic at times, with supporters of the PM accusing opponents of being “racists,” simply on the grounds of disagreement. And in a nation politically divided along ethnic lines, we’re asked “not to see race as a factor.” While Irma and Maria created havoc, it could not have come at a more opportune time for members of the power structure in TT , providing them with a distraction from the “fake oil” and the Tobago ferry. So it is only fair that we as citizens express concerns of a hidden agenda of the PM in welcoming citizens of ravaged Dominica.

Recognising that politics is simply about power–getting it and holding on to it–inviting citizens of a commonwealth nation to T&T allows them voting rights after one year of being residents. So the PM just might be assuming that citizens of the nation are idiots.

I listen to the conversations and monitor the discussions, like most, and have heard the analogies about being our brothers’ keeper. Yet this nation saw one of our senior citizens die on the lawns of the nation’s hospital with not so much as a squeak from the PM. We have had citizens from Guyana turned away from “Mt Hopeless” simply on the grounds that they were “foreigners.” While helping others in need is a noble pursuit, inviting them to our homes is not such a brilliant idea. I, for one, am not accepting anyone into my home; not even family members are welcome.

One cannot help but suspect a hidden agenda with the PM, as we have never heard it suggested that Haitians should be welcome here, even after their earthquake. So save us the BS Mr PM.

Rudy Chato Paul, Sr D’Abadie