Cuffie: Scratch bombs already illegal

His statement, in reply to a letter to the editor that called for the Government to outlaw scratch bombs, made a reference to the death of Jameel Allamby, a disabled man unable to escape a blaze reportedly caused by the reckless use of fireworks.

Cuffie said that he too is troubled and angered by the torment endured by all citizens at the hands of users of scratch bombs every year, but said it is wrong to claim that successive governments have failed to effectively deal with the scourge by not outlawing it.

“To be clear, scratch bombs are already illegal in Trinidad and Tobago,” Cuffie said.

“However, complaints like yours and hundreds of other citizens, underscore the fact that laws alone are not enough to stop this scourge.

This is why as Minister with responsibility for Communications, I initiated a campaign against scratch bombs which approached the problem from the perspective of a culture of care for our neighbours, our elderly and pets.” Cuffie said a culture of care and personal responsibility is needed to ensure a safer and better Trinidad and Tobago.

“Our approach would be flawed if we excluded the duties we all have as citizens to do our part to stop the sale and use of scratch bombs.” He said law enforcement has a significant role, as he commended the TT Police Service (TTPS) for issuing a number of advisories and conducting raids to try to stem the sale and use of scratch bombs.

“However, the fire on Nelson Street (Port of Spain), reportedly caused by fireworks, which left one dead and six families homeless, highlights the fact that we all have a part to play: from the vendors to the parents to the people who buy and light scratch bombs and illegal fireworks without a thought for the serious harm they can cause.”