No bail for kidnappers

CRIME COMMITTEE chairman Kenneth Gordon has called for the crime of  kidnapping to be made a capital offence by denying bail to anyone charged with the offence more than once. Gordon made this call at the recent Charter ceremony of the Rotary Club of Southwest Tobago. He said despite the “Political games which force us to fight crime with one hand tied behind our backs,”  those in power need to redouble crime fighting efforts to rescue those who had “fallen through the cracks.” Gordon recommended a package of measures to send an “unmistakable message” to criminals about Government’s dedication towards fighting crime and boost the confidence of the citizens.

These include introduction of a system of accountability and reward in the Police Service within the limitations that currently exist; increasing of monitoring and surveillance procedures on vehicles, known drug dealers and those with records of violence; a two-week amnesty period followed by an aggressive campaign to deal with users unlicensed; provision of resources  for the courts to deal expeditiously with gun crimes; refuse bail on the third occasion for a crime of violence; and imposition of selected curfews in seriously threatened communities. “Firm resolve is required to carry the fight to the criminals and put them on the defensive and put them on the run. The time has come when we must leave the political directorate in no doubt that we expect them to take the necessary measures to do so,” Gordon declared.