Top Cop: Crime a runaway problem

He said kidnappings and murders continue to occur on an almost daily basis and, while the police cannot stop it, the Police Service can manage it.

Roach said he was not one of those to assure the country "that the police will bring relief to citizens shortly, because it seems that crime is a runaway problem."

He called on all citizens to "join in the fight against crime." He said based on statistics, murders and kidnappings have continued to increase rapidly over the past two years, and "the mentality of citizens is to seek revenge for almost anything."

The Deputy Commissioner noted that citizens need "to love each other more," and that is a first step to the healing process.

Roach was addressing members of the Rotary Club of Port-of-Spain Central yesterday at Singho Restaurant when he made the comments.

In his address on "Crime and its effects on Society," Roach noted that Trinidadians believe that the police, and only the police, are responsible for fighting crime.

Roach noted that every citizen is responsible for fighting crime, adding that people need to demand better policing and better response from Government.

He said 115 persons have been kidnapped for the year, with 35 held for ransom. Sixteen people had been kidnapped for ransom during the same period last year.

To date, 39 persons have been charged with kidnapping. Five victims have been rescued and two killed. Four people escaped their abductors.

According to Roach, 120 murders took place in 2000, 151 in 2001, 172 in 2002, 269 in 2003 and 261 in 2004.

To date, 193 people have been murdered for the year. The Deputy Police Commissioner called on citizens to work closely with the police despite the public’s distrust because if the situation continues, the country will be ruined and its image badly damaged internationally.