‘We must do better in 2006’

A new year has dawned, but for many the crime situation in Trinidad and To-bago in the previous year remains a grave matter of concern. With a record 386 murders in 365 days in 2005, many have expressed hope that this year would bring a drastic decrease in criminal activity. In his wish for the new year, Port-of-Spain Mayor, Murchi-son Brown, said, “I hope that this year we see a significant reduction in all criminal matters and that we as people take a greater responsibility for ourselves and for things around us.” He said he believes that there is too much “finger pointing” at those in authority and called for persons to take more “civic” pride in their country. “This country belongs to us and it is incumbent of us to take responsibility for it,” he added. “Let us change our attitudes as it is the only way we are going to achieve developed country status by 2020,” Brown said.

Inter-Religious Organisation president Reverend Cyril Paul expressed similar sentiments. “The first thing I would like to see is that the crime menace, which is totally out of control, is brought under control,” he said. He said his wish was to see a more prompt and urgent response from the Police Service to citizens’ calls for help. Paul also hopes to see the problem of flooding and landslides brought under control and for citizens to show more courtesy towards each other. “I would love to see implemented, the good, old-fashioned manners of long ago and most definitely to see the Soca Warriors do well and move on to the final 16 in the FIFA World Cup 2006,” Paul said.

The San Juan Business Association president, Gail Merhair, is also hoping for a reduction in crime this year. She said, “It is my hope that for this new year, the levels of crime and uncertainty in the nation be reduced to an acceptable level and that we can all live in peace, safety and harmony once again,” she expressed. Merhair said she also wanted to see an improved Port of Spain port in terms of its management and physical structure, a reduction in inflation, the proclamation of the Occu-pational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the development of the social sector to deal with the problem of vagrancy.