Rising to the occasion

While many will be frolicking at the beach or flying kites at the Queen’s Park Savannah, officers will be out in full force, according to police officials who spoke at the weekly police press briefing at Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain on Wednesday.

Officers have planned extensive anti-crime operations in all nine divisions across the nation.

These include road-blocks, stop and search, DUI and speed exercises.

Tobago Divisional Head Snr Supt Joanne Archie advised people visiting the sister isle to obey the law and avoid spending the weekend in a cell.

“We will be out in our numbers to ensure all who use the roads — be it pedestrian or motorist — do so in a safe environment,” Archie said. “We are asking visitors and residents not to throw caution to the wind. We will be there not to give people a hard time, but to ensure they are safe during the holiday period on the island.” Assistant Commissioner of Police Irwin Hackshaw added that police will be making checks on camps across the nation and there will be patrols on the beach. He said there will be a heightened police presence in all communities and advised the public to apply all precautions, ensure their valuables are secured and when possible, to travel in groups.

We urge all to exercise care on the road and to engage in responsible practices. The long weekend will see much merriment and persons should avoid drinking and driving and be mindful of the speed limit.

Persons at home, too, must take care. It is important to be vigilant against hazards like bush fires and to ensure children are adequately supervised.

We have duties to ourselves and to our families and wider communities.

We must comply with measures that are in place to contain us in any excesses.

For example, swimmers should obey the instructions of lifeguards, which includes respecting the placement of red warning flags along the shore.

They should also avoid alcohol consumption if swimming and make themselves aware of high and rip tides and of the potential for currents. All children on beaches should be properly accounted for.

It is important to also implore the State to fulfil its obligation to all agencies. Not only must individuals be safe, but the officers who are deployed to protect and serve must also be given adequate resources to do their job.

The State has an over-arching role of ensuring that it conducts quality audits to ensure that taxpayers money is being used effectively. Not only does this mean making sure budget allocations are large enough and are deployed in a timely fashion.

It also means taking a longterm look at how measures are working and seeking out higher standards. Constantly.

Finally, we turn to the message at the heart of this Easter season. For Christians, Easter is a moment when the figure of Jesus Christ is commemorated.

Believers hold that Christ, after being crucified, rose and ascended into heaven to save mankind.

The message is one of hope and of transcendence; of the need to remember the bigger picture in all things and to appreciate life. We invite all, non-believers and believers alike, to rise to the occasion, take time over the holiday to reflect on the state of the nation and to think of ways in which we can act to improve this country for the good of all.