“Unfortunately all we have seen is a further dismantling of crucial policies that contributed, not just to crime being reduced, but the reduction of the fear of crime by citizens through the National Operations Centre (NOC), Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and the Highway Patrol just to name a few.

These units worked in tandem with each other providing the necessary checks and balances and ensuring that units were made accountable and performance measured.” Griffith also slammed government’s decision to move the NOC as a sub-unit under the Ministry of National Security under the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), saying that the decision has caused a lack of coordination among agencies and has also made it difficult to gauge the performance of units under the ministry.

“This is what the NOC was designed for. But what is needed is to acquire the feel of technology such as police vehicles equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) devices to ensure that police operate within their range of responsibility and can be evaluated to ensure that they act towards distress calls.” Asked about the fate of vehicles issued to the CCP, Griffith said the vehicles were leased by a private security company and the vehicles would now be returned to the company.

This was in contrast to an erroneous report in another media outlet that had purported to cite UNC chairman, David Lee, as announcing such a meeting to discuss the state of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation (SGRC). At the SGRC a tie in the recent Local Government Elections saw the People’s National Movement try to invoke its incumbency as a tie-breaker, a move that the UNC stoutly rejected as “thuggery” and hinted at possible legal action to refute. Yesterday both Opposition Senator Khadijah Ameen and Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan each separately confirmed to Newsday that no UNC caucus was due.

“I don’t know where that information came from,” said Ameen.

“We had never planned to caucus.” Rambachan said that by today the party would have a clearer idea of any caucus.

The meeting was held at the San Fernando City Corporation complex.

Al Rawi who is the parliamentary representation for San Fernando West, said, “You know they say cleanliness is next to godliness? Well, it is also next to the law.” He announced that there would be a “grace period” which would encourage citizens across the country to inculcate a habit of cleaning their surroundings. When that period ends, Al Rawi said, the laws will be applied and very stringently, after the clean-up campaign has begun.

Al Rawi said that the fines for unkempt lots and derelict vehicles were increased earlier this year to show the seriousness with which the country must tackle the scourge of the Zika and dengue viruses caused by the breeding of the Aedes Egypti mosquito.

Al Rawi, in appealing to citizens to take responsibility for their surroundings, said, “Drains year after year find themselves flooding over. Not because the State has failed to spend money on it, but because people have fridges and stoves and vehicles inside their drains and it didn’t come there other than by way of citizens input.” The National Clean- Up Campaign is carded to begin in the second week of January and is expected to run for at least one week. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Desdra Bascombe, said a detailed budget has not been assigned to the project as yet.

She said due to financial constraints, the model of volunteerism used for San Fernando’s clean-up campaign under Hosein while he was mayor ofthe city, would be employed.

The Mayors, Chairmen and CEOs present praised the initiative and pledged their support for its success.

Speaking with Newsday yesterday, Abraham, said that the problem of scratch bombs entering the local fireworks market is not a new one and has become a nuisance to Old Year’s Night celebrations in recent years.

“It’s become an annoyance to society because it’s an overpowered item which is illegally imported into the country and it doesn’t come with any guide or labelling for its proper use,” Abraham said.

“It’s really just a strip of cardboard wrapped around a small bit of sulphur, used in place of a wick, which doesn’t give the user any adequate time to throw it or run away after it has been lit, which often leads to the device exploding in the person’s hand. Scratch bombs are usually eight to ten times more powerful than conventional fireworks, so it’s a very loud, very explosive device and it doesn’t meet any of the international safety guidelines and I must commend Minister Cuffie for his push to eliminate these items from our local market.” Abraham added that he is satisfied with the renewed concern by members of the public against the use of illegal fireworks and called on legislators to amend existing laws regulating the import and distribution of similar items.

“The laws governing the sale and use of illegal fireworks are much similar to the laws governing the speed limit.

They need to change with the times in order to facilitate the newer, more powerful brands of fireworks that are now making their way to local markets. If we do see amendments to these laws and the introduction of newer laws, I think that the police will have greater ground in combating the use of these items.” Abraham also urged public to purchase their fireworks from reputable, licensed fireworks dealers and explained that fireworks use for Old Year’s Night celebrations should be restricted between the hours of 11 pm and 1am, adding that pet owners should secure their animals in rooms with a television or radio to drown out the sound of the explosions.

They just have to find it.

Boldon correctly predicted Japan for a medal in the 4×100 metre’s men relay prior to that Olympic event.

The team finished second and set a new Asian record.

Ato is Sports Illustrated TV analyst 2016.

Well done,TNT is very proud of you.

Keep up the hard work.

It is ‘’alleged’’ Ato is a better analyst than an athlete.

AV RAMPERSAD, PrincesTown

I could think of no better way to do so than to tell our country that there are still decent, honest, hardworking, honourable people in our land, who can be trusted to perform at the highest levels – without delays, overcharging, shortcuts, absenteeism and all the other negatives which plague us and are par for the course here in TT .

Mangalie and his company do “big” jobs. Yet, when he saw the horrible wooden installations that had previously been done by a so-called professional, Mangalie decided to show me that not all workers and companies in TT are created equal.

He came to my apartment with his crew on the appointed days, produced superlative wooden installations and left my apartment impeccably clean.

I publicly thank Mangalie for continuing to be a ray of light in our sometimes dark world, as well as for fearlessly being a proud Trini in the face of all adversity.

CHERYL H STOUTE via email

The epidemic of aggression, anger and violence consuming our society is worrying. Anger seems the dominant emotion in the country today. Its blinkering effect allows no space for reason, harmony and dialogue. It is often an involuntary response to unwanted actions, perceived to be demeaning, disrespectful or threatening. It leads to an overpowering tendency to decry opinions of people with whom we differ as na?ve and silly, and an inclination to simplify the world into either black or white, instead of acknowledging the innumerable shades of grey. Anger also energizes us to retaliate, provoking aggressive sometimes violent behaviour.

In Parliament, we observe that politicians seem to have given up even the fa?ade of dignified debate.

Screaming and shouting at each other at the slightest provocation, anything and anyone in a politician’s life is fair game. But anger is not limited to the political arena. We note the outbursts of frustrated sports personalities and the road rage of impatient drivers; we experience the glum disrespect of those involved in service industry and the acrimony and rancour of industrial relations.

The horrifying, mindless and senseless murders leave us numb! The sages argue that the rapid, unpredictable changes taking place around us at all levels – nationally and internationally – have a strong impact on the language of public discourse, where anger and animosity are fast replacing inquiry, curiosity and empathy.

We also know that people’s choices and decisions are a product of both emotions and rational thinking. How do we effectively manage anger, a normal human emotion, so that it does not so effortlessly degenerate into the wanton aggression and violence that scar our country? We need a strong antidote to counteract the threats constructed and fear generated as social mobilisation strategies to manipulate public opinion in order to legitimise the views and incite enthusiasts of this or that group.

Is it too much for our leadership, political and organisational, to choose the path of exercising courtesy and self-control even under provocation? Their caustic language and bitter exchanges appeal to the aggressive instincts in followers, ultimately leading some to violent responses. Surely, leaders can disagree without issuing threats, which may be interpreted as a call to arms? We expect them to be alert to the widespread repercussions and unintended consequences of the disorder they sow when they incite an unthinking public.

But we citizens do share in the responsibility for the current mayhem. Hopefully, infused with the spirit of the season, we transform ourselves from passive spectators to vigilant activists in the cause of peace and goodwill, emboldened by the assurance that citizen action does work.

Winston R Rudder Petit Valley

This position is an important political step into the political arena.

However, the worrying pending allegations of sexual misconduct facing Duke, could loosen a few pillars in the ramparts of his political castle. According to the Trinidad Guardian’s 2016 yearend review, there are 48,942 eligible voters in Tobago. We wait with the proverbial baited breath to see how many citizens of Roxborough/ Delaford and indeed all of Tobago, will vote for Duke and his Progressive Democratic Party.

Why am I interested in what happens in Tobago? Because Tobago is extremely important to Trinidad, always has been and with the Sandals franchise carded, Tobago will be more golden than ever. Allegations of sexual misconduct carry a life-long stigma far worse than fiscal misbehaviour.

It is of great import to win the female vote. A certain famous American billionaire seemingly had both Seepaul luck and Gopaul luck on his side as well as millions of willing males to vote him into office. A once in a lifetime large slice of political luck.

Tobago is a lot smaller. Do we dare compare?

Lynette Joseph , Diego Martin

How will this affect you the citizen? Let’s first examine manufacturers .

The cost of their material inputs will increase by 30 percent, which they will pass on to you the consumer .

You will buy less, they will reduce their overheads, meaning reducing the number of employees. For food distributors, their items will also cost 30 percent more. Can you afford a 30 percent increase in your monthly grocery bill? How will this affect housing? Windows, doors, ceilings, fridges, stoves etc will cost more .

The price of a house will definitely increase, as will your monthly mortgage payments .

What about vehicles? Thirty percent increases here too. Making construction equipment and transportation more expensive .

How about your health? The cost of all drugs will increase by 30 percent, whether CDAP or not. For people with chronic diseases, this would be a life-threatening situation .

So do you think this situation is not your concern? Are you still willing to let these politicians, especially the Opposition, screw up your lives? Are you willing to stand up and be counted? Roger Gordon Cascade

Please keep this up! As I write this letter, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, scratch bombs are being let off and they will, no doubt, continue to be let off intermittently until midnight or after.

The Attorney General and Minister Maxie Cuffie have warned against the use of scratch bombs and “illegal fireworks”. That is a welcome step – however, most people victimised by the indiscriminate use of fireworks want steps taken to restrict severely or eliminate the use of all fireworks.

In the article, it is reported that on December 14, Cuffie met with executives of FireOne Fireworks to discuss the Government’s crackdown on scratch bombs and the illegal use of fireworks. What have those issues to do with the executives of FireOne Fireworks, who claim, vociferously, that the fireworks they import are “legal” and of high standard? As far as eliminating the use of illegal fireworks, surely it makes more sense to get the police to confiscate them at the point of sale? Do they not have the power to approach those selling fireworks from every little stall and tent and require them to produce evidence that the goods were legally obtained, under the Explosives Act? Also, there is the question of the safe storage of fireworks (again referring to the Explosives Act). Can the police not move against improperly stored fireworks – legal or illegal? You only have to note the location of some of the fireworks tents and stalls, to see how easily a fire could spread from them to adjacent buildings. Can the fire services become involved in this issue? The Attorney General was quoted as saying, “the existing law is absolutely clear and the Commissioner of Police has the immediate ability to enforce it,” so let him do this, please.

Ann Whitt aker Port-of-Spain