Many reasons for TT crime

THE EDITOR: I address you with the burning issue of Crime. Over the weekend there were a number of murders being carried out. We all agree that this must stop, but are we ever going to think “outside the box” and do all that is necessary to curb these events? As a people and a nation we are in serious jeopardy! The very basic moral fibre needs to be re-instilled in society. There are a couple of very potent points that we as individuals and as a nation must consider seriously... Firstly, there are too many ‘babies’ having babies, and they have nothing to impart to these children when they grow up. No proper values, morals and ethics are coming from the homes of these young parents, for they themselves did not stick around their homes long enough to absorb any, and may have even chastised or cursed their parents for trying to instill some values in them. There is no Church, just the home, extended family is no more, and the community is not allowed to correct the child, rather it helps in that child’s estrangement from the home. When these children enter the schools, the behaviours and attitudes are terrible for they know not how to communicate or to socialise, and the teachers (poorly trained themselves) are unable, or in most cases unwilling to discipline or assist these children for fear of the parents.

Secondly, the issue of respect comes into the picture. The youths today have no respect for authority or for themselves. Again we go back to the home and school. They are not taught how to function in the world so they cannot hold down proper jobs, so they resort to alternate lifestyles that do not conform with the values and norms of the respected and respectful persons in our society. When we go into our schools — Junior Secondary and Secondary schools, even some of our primary schools, and we watch the comportment of these students, we have to wonder who or what is the parent. Who’s buying the uniforms and where are these parents when the children are leaving the home, or returning for that matter. In my view, no Principal should allow a child to enter the school compound with something other than the specified uniform. If these same children were to apply for entry to any of the Military Services (Police, Army, Coast Guard), and be accepted, God forbid, they would have to conform to all rules given...No long hair, no plaits, no fancy crew cut...and I can go on. They must wear the uniform as is laid down. The operative word here being uniform! It is time we ensure that our children, even from the primary school level, learn to be uniform.

If a uniform is specified by a school, and the parents have a problem with the child wearing it, or even the child for that matter has a problem with the uniform, let them find a school that would accommodate their children in the manner they wish to dress. There are many private institutions, and all religions have schools now, and I don’t say this to sound bigoted, but we need to instill in our youths the basic values and morals that would ensure them a proper place in society, keeping the level of crime down and making our communities safe once again. Finally, when we look at the issue of burglaries etc....If there were no market for black-market goods, then there would be fewer or no robberies, break-ins etc...Because there continues to be no equity between the working classes of our society, there continues to be the issue of theft. Because the cost of living continues to rise and the poor gets poorer as they struggle to provide, and must pay this exorbitant VAT on basic necessities, there continue to be thefts. No thief, going into a person’s home or business to steal jewelery, videos, televisions etc is going to keep these items for himself. Someone out there is going to buy these things, giving the thief the money he needs to fulfill whatever obligation he may have before him. This is where the Government must step in and ensure that monies filter down to the low and lower income classes in society.

The murders that are being committed in the so-called depressed areas are a way for those in the lower order of the gangs to accede to supremacy. They are senseless, yes, but looking at the persons that are dying and the reasons these murders are being committed, tell us there is urgent need for societal reformation. There is need for honest community representatives, groups and leaders that will assist the people and not themselves in making a positive change. Kidnapping is an issue that only the affluent of our society can curb. The treatment that you mete out to others in society comes back to you in many different ways. Karma they call it. This is something our businessmen must take control of. Note that I am not condoning these behaviours, I am just trying to bring to light a few of the reasons we continue to experience this high level of crime, and the path we should follow to bring things in this country to a place where we can all live comfortably once more. Thank you and good day.

S HERBERT
Port-of-Spain