TT needs anti-gang laws, courts

THE EDITOR: We have reached. Yes, we in Trinidad have reached. A young man was executed today April 22, on Brian Lara Promenade in broad daylight. I am sure that no one is willing to come forward and be a witness. I knew the day would come and I see it has finally arrived. Of course all the newspapers and TV stations will talk about it but no witness will be found daring enough to come to court. How many people are on the promenade at mid-day/lunch time?

But I bet nobody see. And all are in fear. Perhaps the Government should now have cameras posted from one end of the promenade to the next. After all, only cameras are not afraid to show what they see in court. And only one police vehicle on the promenade. Perhaps three or four police posts or even a whole police station is needed on the promenade. Perhaps they may even get these police to come out of the station and do some regular patrols in the mid-day sun if it is not too comfortable in that station. Maybe we might get the Government to stop playing games and kid-gloving these gangs of gunmen, and like their counterparts in Jamaica, have some anti-gang and anti-gun laws and courts set up.

Being found to be a member of a gang should be a crime. And if police pick up 17 gang members when one person is murdered, all should be charged for murder. Finally, when are we going to form our own FBI unit to do the work — the good old police work of an Elliot Ness of untouchables era to rid the country of gangsters. We are not only in a sophisticated gun age, but video cameras are also able to tape gang members acting together. I am sure some good newspaper or TV reporter can be asked to do an undercover investigation, video camera in hand aka Rodney King style and make a name for him or herself with the assistance of police undercover agencies.

My friend in Laventille/Morvant and environs tell me there are gang members walking around day and night armed with guns for all to see. If a soldier is killed and the army intelligence unit cannot get a good vantage point in Laventille to video tape gang activity and build up a file of persons involved, then we must not be in an age of CSI and after surveillance techniques. In the end some of us must be willing to sacrifice our lives and freedom for more safety. But this must bear fruit or the nation will be lost and I will have to migrate to Charlotteville in Tobago — the safest place in the twin island state.

G FRANCIS
Port-of-Spain