PNM scores low on crime

An opinion survey recently conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) shows very high dissatisfaction with the PNM government in its handling of crime. Respondents feel the UNC government fared much better than the current PNM government in combating crime.  But the PNM has scored better on the issue of fighting corruption, a NACTA release stated. The latest poll was conducted in early June to find out opinions on a number of current issues as well as to determine popular support for the political parties.

The survey was based on interviews  with 347 voters to yield a demographically representative sample of the nation’s population. The results of the poll were analysed at a 95 percent significance level and an average statistical sampling error of plus or minus five percentage points was found. The poll was co-ordinated by Vishnu Bisram, a New York-based political scientist, pollster, and newspaper columnist. Asked what is the most important problem facing the nation, almost everyone said crime, although respondents are also concerned about deteriorating race relations, drug trafficking, and economic issues such as rising unemployment and inflation. Almost all of the respondents said they do not feel a sense of personal safety even in their home or vehicle and in their community. 

Only a handful of respondents (11% — primarily Africans) expressed satisfaction with the PNM government’s handling of crime; they blame the rising crime rate on the opposition UNC for not supporting the government’s anti-crime bills. But the overwhelming majority of the respondents rate the government very poorly in battling crime.  In fact, 59% of the respondents feel the UNC did a better job than the current PNM government (23%) in dealing with the crime situation with 8% giving both governments the same rating and 10% offering no response. Respondents were also critical of the police handling of Ashmead Baksh’s kidnapping and murder. Asked if the police did all they could to save Baksh and capture the kidnappers, only 17% answered in the affirmative. Respodents said they lack faith in the police protecting them. Respondents feel the police need to be more pro-active and have an intelligence gathering unit to collect information that can be used to deter crimes such as kidnapping.

Respondents are also not very satisfied with the investigations into corruption saying that they are moving at a snail’s pace and that the Fraud Squad and Integrity Commission are only focusing on allegations of corruption relating to officials of the former UNC government. Only 29% of the respondents feel the government is serious about cracking down on corruption but more people feel the Manning government is more serious than the preceding Panday government in fighting corruption. Only 31% of respondents are satisfied with the Fraud Squad’s handling of corruption.