You have all the power, Mr Minister

THE EDITOR: In an admission of failure, the Hon Minister of National Security has begged the Opposition to support bills to be brought to parliament. This is astonishing! In case the Honourable Minister has forgotten, our political system is patterned after the Westminster model where the party in government has all the power, and those in opposition can only prod and scrutinise with the ultimate aim of replacing those in government. The Honourable Minister implies that his ministry has tried everything to reduce crime without success, and he suggests that the country’s only hope is the passing of these bills.

I reject this view. What has the Minister done to enforce the death penalty? Has anything been done to introduce technology in crime prevention and detection? We have been hearing about breathalysers for decades, why are they not being used? The Minister’s predecessor went to the UK ostensibly to source surveillance cameras where are they? Why are we not using DNA identification systems and on-line databases? What is being done to prevent cases from being thrown out because the prosecution is not ready? Do we need new legislation to prosecute those who use obscene language, litter, or drive PH cars? How are all these guns and drugs entering the country? Do we need to pass new laws to get the Coast Guard to do their work, or to install a radar system, which has been in the country for nearly two years?

The callous way in which criminal elements treat law abiding citizens leads me to believe that our systems for socialising our young people are hopelessly defective, and the entire Government should be exploring ways of improving these systems. For example, why is it taking so long to reform the school curriculum to integrate moral principles in each lesson? Have we improved teaching in the schools to ensure that children experience success?  Why is there no control over the violent and murderous TV shows presented to the population? Is no one able to formulate a programme of parental education, which can reach the homes of those most at risk? I believe that this public request for Opposition support is just a cop out, a smoke screen to mask the serious limitations of the Minister in dealing with crime.

It is an insult to the intelligence of all independent and critical thinkers in this land, and an embarrassment to the government. This admission of inadequacy plunges the nation into even greater depths of fear. My dear Minister, you have achieved your desire, you are in control, the power and resources of the State are at your disposal. Now the nation expects you to take effective action and not hide behind the skirts of Opposition.

DAVID SUBRAN
Chaguanas