A tragic end

Investigators must bring the case of the death of the 25-yearold Penal resident to a swift conclusion, culminating with the initiation of criminal proceedings against the perpetrator. The case must be based on sound evidence and justice must be allowed to take its course.

The death of Simms will make many question whether young women are being specifically targeted.

But, of course, the scourge of crime affects us all, whatever our gender. Both women and men suffer with each killing. Both have found themselves as targets.

The discovery of Simms’ body in a shallow grave in Santa Flora, not far from a penal institution, also adds further urgency to the question recently raised about whether citizens should be permitted to bear arms and to carry things like pepper spray and tasers.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar and former security officials have made this call, which has also been supported by the president general of the All Trinidad General Workers’ Trade Union, Nirvan Maharaj.

For our part, we do not think the solution is to allow more guns on the street. While there is no doubt that the current licensing programme needs to work more efficiently, the issue is the proliferation of unauthorised guns outside of the scope of regulation. Further, technology to track guns appears to have fallen behind somewhat.

Empowering people to have guns in their homes, cars and when they go out opens the door to a whole other set of problems.

There is the potential for abuse, children may be affected, the public could be caught in the crossfire and there may be a disproportionate use of force by untrained civilians.

In fact, accounts of police shootings over the years suggest that guns often sit uneasy even in the hands of legitimate and well-intentioned law enforcement officers.

The vast majority of murders are already committed using guns.

More guns could turn the country into the Wild Wild West, if it has not already attained that status.

However, a distinction can be drawn between authorising guns and allowing the use of pepper spray and tasers. In relation to the latter, we support the calls that have been made. While such items pose hazards and risks, they do not suffer from the same drawbacks as the use of firearms. Pepper spray and tasers of a certain range could be authorised to allow individuals to momentarily fend off assailants who are not armed.

But in reality, it is always inadvisable for any victim to engage physically with an attacker, especially one who is armed. If that attacker is armed with a gun, a taser will not be as useful. Yet, a gun shootout would not necessarily balance the scales in favour of escape. Where tasers and pepper spray might be useful are in fending off unarmed assailants, deterring attacks and in raising awareness of the need for security precautions.

Though it is highly unlikely there are people in this country who are unaware of the crime situation, how many people have access to training and guidelines that would allow them to minimise risk in their daily lives? People must seek out resources that are available, such as via the Internet.

Interestingly, one strategy to bolster security is the new wave of taxi services that have hit our shores. These services allow users to track drivers, picture them and to be aware of car numbers in advance.

It is hoped that citizens will be able to empower themselves in order to not become targets.

At the same time, we should not have to face this issue in the first place. We hope no stone is left unturned in this latest murder case.