DAC slams Tobago crime plans

“This Executive Council does not know their job and responsibility,” Charles declared.

“They could fix (take care of the needs of) the police in Tobago; they don’t have to wait on anybody in Trinidad. Weak! Fix it,” he added. Charles was alluding to “deficiencies” in the Tobago Police Division including the long proposed refurbishment/reconstruction of several police stations, the manpower shortage, defective vehicles and communication shortcomings, which he stressed must be corrected.

Charles, the political leader of the DAC, contended that: “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago does not care one hoot about what happens to tourists in Tobago. They building hotels in Port-of-Spain yet Government breaking up tourism in Tobago.”

Charles was severely critical of both the THA and Government during his contribution to a motion dealing with crime in Tobago tabled by Chief Secretary Orville London at Thursday’s sitting of the Assembly.

“I am deeply concerned and I do not think what is presented here and asked of us will solve the problem of crime and the concerns expressed by the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Tourism (Neil Wilson),” Charles told the House.

“Is that (motion) going to solve the problem? Is this going to deal with the problem? How will this protect the businesswoman who was robbed? How is this going to stop the 11 murders (recorded in the island last year),” he continued.

Charles claimed the Assembly “knowingly or unknowingly might be responsible for what (crime) we are having here.”

With respect to the Crime Committee proposed in the motion Charles queried: “when the Committee finishes its work, send the recommendations to who? We are wasting time and fooling people.”