Hope for crime reduction?

We seem to be witnessing an awakened spirit of diligence and dynamism in the crime fighting arena. We can only wish longevity to the combat mode being currently displayed. Each one of the top guns emits a considerable quantity of confidence, which we hope has deep roots.

Despite the fact that 2004 already seems to be competing with 2003 for the murder rate record in TT, latest crime-reduction efforts by Mr Manning and his Government appear to signal a bit of hope for better days ahead. Within recent years, crime has been the most troubling single issue to all sectors of the national community. Every class, creed and race has been affected, and even traumatised, in several ways. The Government, being the chief custodian of the nation’s affairs, has understandably had to face a barrage of sustained, ever-increasing chastisement from the business community, the media, the common man and even the clergy.

I don’t think that there has ever been a time when any Government in the line of fire has not shown some degree of concern for the seriousness of crime. However, the evidence of an attitude of denial and arrogance, as well as indifference, ineptitude and incompetence, did feature quite prominently at times. We understand that crime, from the level of international terrorism down, is a hideous, stubborn monster, creating havoc on a global scale. Its challenge is enormous and many respected leaders have virtually or actually described it as insurmountable. The cause factors are so wide, varied and complex that sometimes they seem to lend credence to the position of the pessimist.

Nevertheless, as this column has pointed out previously, this is what leadership is all about — confronting challenges (irrespective of the magnitude) and finding the necessary solution. It’s simple, leadership that’s overwhelmed by a challenge, especially for a protracted duration, is ineffective leadership. Leaders are not given their portfolio because somebody feels that they (the leaders) are experts at finding excuses, or are excellent at pulling PR stunts. Leaders, particularly in this day and age, are elected or selected to provide leadership that’s pregnant with the substance of creativity, competence, dynamism, fervour and fortitude. Every follower is concerned about the matrix, mode and method of his/her leadership. This is particularly so in times of threatening or actual crisis. It continues to baffle me as to why so many times leadership chooses to be passive rather than proactive; reluctant rather than revolutionary.

It’s true, sometimes we are not progressive enough because we are not aggressive enough. I must say though, that the most recent mood and mode of our Government in its crime-fighting thrusts have, in some noticeable ways, portrayed the character of the more positive elements listed above. We seem to be witnessing an awakened spirit of diligence and dynamism which we all do hope continues to expand and excel. We can only wish longevity to the combat mode being currently displayed by Prime Minister Manning, his Minister of National Security, Senator Martin Joseph, our brand new Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs and head of the Special Anti-Crime Unit, Brigadier Peter Joseph.

Each one of these top guns emits a considerable quantity of confidence, which we hope has deep roots. The initial tension/anxieties which were apparent among Snaggs’ men over the “alternative Police Force” of Brigadier Joseph, have taken on a softer tone. Some say that the significant pay hike received by the police will provide a morale boost for the officers. The Prime Minister has added something extra to his personal effort in the fight. His walkabouts in “depressed communities” during the past week or so, have from all appearances, been largely appreciated by the residents in the localities involved. This gesture, although it may not directly affect crime, does bring some measure of hope to the recipients of the high-level visit.

There are those who feel that the recent allocation of approximately $30 million to the crime reduction effort signals an understanding that it takes money to win the war. One example is that the criminals have the money to acquire the most sophisticated weaponry, and this is one of the reasons they have been able to outfox the police. But with the injection of additional resources, we can upgrade our crime fighting devices as required for effectiveness. Attempts to increase and enhance the air, land and sea patrols, also brings some reason for optimism.

All in all, we reckon that no one group can be held entirely responsible for crime in any society. Although the reins of authority are in the hands of the Government, which has been commissioned to guide, guard and govern, the onus is on each of us to do our part in maintaining a peaceful, God-fearing society. As the church, we wish to express our support as allies in this crucial war. We trust that every initiative in the fight will reap substantial results, as we continue to pray, and make our valuable contributions otherwise.