‘Take back our streets’

In a strongly worded statement yesterday, Chamber president Richie Sookai noted that once again “one of our nation’s treasured daughters has been lost to a very heinous and ugly crime.” “What is happening here? Why is our society reacting with apathy and nonchalance to these fatal occurrences? The time has come for all of us to take back our streets, to take back our communities,” he stated.

He pointed out that for over 30 years, many communities had become trapped in a “cycle of reaction: marches, candlelight vigils and vociferous comments at meetings between the police and various communities.” “In Trinidad and Tobago there’s been a stalemate between the Government and opposition on such important issues as the death penalty, mandatory minimum sentences, gun control and police misconduct,” Sookhai stated, adding that neither side had advanced a “proven, longrange strategy for reducing homicides -- the leading cause of death for persons involved in the narcotics trade and gang activities nearly two decades.” “Now is the time to stop pointing fingers, take a deep introspective look and advance immediate solutions to mitigate these horrible crimes,” he stated before noting that there were three areas which needed to be addressed- Police Service Reform; Judicial Reform and Constitutional Reform He said the laws governing the Police Service had to change and this included the removal of the rogue elements within the service.

“Also, the time has come to acquire a new kind of talent to combat the unique types of crime that exist in the 21st Century, for example cyber-crimes and identity theft. Matters concerning the Police Service Commission have to be addressed and more powers and responsibility will have to be given to the Police Service Executive Team,” he stated.

He said the Judiciary had a lot of work to do to improve its image and expedite cases as well as settling disputes in a much speedier manner which may entail building and “using more courthouses, eliminating the preliminary enquiry system and sending more disputes to be resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution, like Mediation.” “Perhaps the country will have to hire more judges and certified mediators.

Perhaps matters such as night courts, small claims courts, and more community mediation centres will have to be given serious consideration and be ushered into reality within the shortest possible time,’ he stated.

And regarding constitutional reform, he said more had be done to frame a new constitution that would uphold the rule of law, “allow better interactions among citizens who live in this pluralistic society, and the flexibility to create platforms for enhanced human rights and timely justice.” “Our nation is in crisis and there is no room for antagonistic politics.

It is critical for all of us to begin a National Dialogue for Constitutional Reform, and call on our Members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle to find the will to work together and collaborate for this purpose. Their failure to do so will demonstrate to us that our leaders are putting the country’s future at risk,” he stated.