PM: Don’t lose hope on crime

The Prime Minister made this statement in response to a question from Naparima MP Rodney Charles in the House of Representatives.

Dismissing Charles’ claim that citizens are daily losing hope in the ability of Government to deal with crime,Rowley countered, “the worst thing you could do is lose hope in the face of difficulty.” When Charles demanded specific deadlines when murders in the country could be reduced by a specific percentage, Rowley (who is chairman of the National Security Council) replied, “I am not going to get into any useless ole talk about that because crime is not fought like that.” He said Government is, “ approaching crime fighting as a comprehensive exercise which has to be sustained with no end date.” Rowley reminded MPs that, “for quite some time, not starting since September 7, 2015, have been grappling with unacceptable levels of of violence and criminal conduct.” The Prime Minister said the Police Service continues to be active in crime hot spots throughout the country, priority offenders are targetted, efforts to seize illegal firearms are being tightened and there is increased collaboration with communities in TT and this country’s external partners to fight crime on a transnational level.

Rowley said the Police Service is being given the resources it needs to fight crime and is being encouraged to “root out at every level” rogue officers within its ranks. Responding to a question on crime later in the sitting from Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon declared, “ Neither this minister nor the Government will be satisfied until there is a drastic reduction in our crime and criminality in TT.” Dillon said crime fighting strategies being used thus far, “have been effective.” The minister added those strategies revolve around the objectives of prediction, deterence, reduction and prosecution.

Speaking later during debate on the Gambling Bill, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the Bill spoke to the principles of civil asset forefeiture.

Al-Rawi was optimistic that Cabinet will soon approve this legislation and that it will be coming to Parliament soon.