Police must crackdown on PH drivers

THE EDITOR: Please allow me to share my thoughts on a couple issues. I wish to commend the Minister of National Security as well as the Commissioner of Police and the hardworking officers of the TT Police Service for the increased police patrols throughout Trinidad. It has resulted in the population feeling much safer since the start of the crime wave over the past two years particularly the pre-Christmas season in 2003. The increased mobility of the police has reduced the number and frequency of kidnappings as well as armed robberies. However, carjackings continue unabated and Government must immediatley take steps to make counterfeit-proof driver’s permits and insurance certificates since with today’s technology, frauds look like the real thing day or night. Also, the whole system of the production and issuing of number plates needs controlling since in certain popular Japanese models of cars (particularly the silver-grey and white models), once the number plate is changed, it is impossible for the police to detect it.

The police also need to intensify their methods of detecting lawbreakers using the science of behaviour and critical observation. I wish to suggest that greater scrutiny be placed on PH drivers and their vehicles. This  practice is illegal yet it continues unabated and has been a conduit for criminals to abduct persons off the street. Too often stolen cars are being recycled into the PH trade for example, there have been actual cases of cars stolen in South and Central Trinidad later found being worked as PH with different plates in Sangre Grande and even in Tobago. A reward scheme should be given to the Police Service for the identification of registration numbers of every PH car in TT while the officers are off-duty. But before we eradicate them, an amnesty should be given following which anyone working PH would have their vehicle seized and auctioned by the state to purchase new police cars as well as have their driver’s permits suspended for one year.

We have to get serious about the problem and bite the bullet, I know some genuine vehicle operators in the rural areas will have a hard time registering their vehicles as taxis but is in the nation’s interest since crime has no face and touches all. Getting back to the whole idea of crime detection and intellegence, I would suggest that the officers involved in the apprehension and wounding of the three notorious criminals in Trincity last Friday each be given a handsome financial reward from the Minister himself since we as citizens were wondering if the police had forgotten how to shoot. Kudos to those invloved for giving me value for my tax-dollars and keep on the offensive since it is still the best defence we have. Secondly, the Highway Patrol officer  in Central who has the skill to detect a false driver’s permit found on a motorist driving on the shoulder has to be commended. Through his efforts and those at Trincity, they are demonstrating excellence in the highest way. Mr CoP, don’t let them go unrewarded.

Thus, we see in both cases of suspicious driving behaviour being used to detect crimes and offences, hence, the police should pull over and search those showing erratic or dangerous driving behaviour such as  tailgating, excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, heavy tints and excessively expensive vehicle accessories for which the driver may give rise to suspicion and ownership. Attention should also be paid to persons driving late model vehicles with banged-up bodies since most people on the roads drive cars in good physical condition I am sure more than likely that some of these banged-up cars could be the PH ones, stolen, used in a crime, with no insurance or false insurance, with no inspection certificate, carrying stolen parts and being driven in a reckless manner. It’s just a thought,  but I believe that it would go further in the crime detection drive.

ASHMEED RAMDATH
California