Rowley, during a radio interview, said he heard calls coming from persons about bringing back the death penalty.
“The death penalty has never gone anywhere.
The death penalty was, is and remains the law of the land,” Rowley said. Recalling that the People’s National Movement (PNM) has advocated for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to replace the Privy Council as this country’s final appellate court, Rowley said, “For the Privy Council to be replaced, that has to be an agreement by the Opposition to vote to change the law. The Opposition has made it quite clear that they will not be doing that.” He further recalled that the former People’s Partnership (PP) government, “attempted to move away in part on the criminal side and not the civil side and that was found not to be possible.” Rowley reiterated, “So as long as the Opposition refuses to agree to support a change in the law the Privy Council remains the final court of appeal.” He explained the Privy Council has, “laid down certain conditions under which the death penalty can be carried out for those few persons who are found guilty and subject to the penalty.”
Williams was speaking at the launch of the C-Safe Anti-Crime Mobile App at the VIP Lounge, Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain yesterday VIP Lounge yesterday.
The application, Williams said, represents a change in times from traditional policing initiatives to a more innovative, community-based approach to crime prevention, where information on criminal activities can be shared between users and the police. The app was launched in partnership with the Powerful Ladies Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (PLOTT).
“Policing in Trinidad and Tobago cannot rest solely on the Police Service,” Williams said. “Every citizen has a part to play in making their homes and their communities safe and secure.” The app allows members of the public to anonymously share, with police, information on illegal activities.
Darrin Carmichael, consultant with Community Defence Services Limited, the app’s developer, was optimistic that the app would prove beneficial in creating safer communities.
“It’s free to download and easy to access on your smart phone or tablet devices.” Carmichael explained that while the app is currently available from the mobile app store for android and Apple smart phone devices, e-mail and short-messaging service (SMS) notifications were also available to users.
Pundit Artma Maharaj and members of the Churkoo Village Mandir, of Manahambre Road, Princes Town, were granted the injunction by Justice James Aboud at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain against Samaroo Ragoonanan, who has claimed to be the owner of an empty lot of land which the temple used as a carpark. In his affidavit evidence, Maharaj stated that Ragoonanan attempted to block the temple carpark by placing boulders and steel rods to prevent members of the mandir from parking. He said the mandir has been using the parcel of land, located next door, as its carpark for over 80 years and claimed that Ragoonanan suddenly appeared and was attempting to deny them access.
Several affidavits were filed by members of the executive of the Mandir in which they detailed their long history of their occupation and use of the car park. They indicated that it was used to support the mandir in hosting religious functions, cultural events, and community activities. They indicated that Ragoonanan recently started disrupting their religious services and was threatening, intimidating and harassing members. Guests at a recent wedding were allegedly threatened with violence and the videographer, Reuben Pariag, gave evidence that Ragoonanan blocked the path of the wedding car. Members of the mandir complained that Ragoonanan recently started bringing other persons with him in an attempt to further intimidate and threaten worshippers and they were forced to seek the intervention of officers of the Ste Madeline Police Station.
The court granted two injunctions against Ragoonanan denying him access to the mandir’s car park and restraining him from blocking or otherwise obstructing access to same. The court further ordered him and his servants and/or agents to cease from threatening, intimidating or harassing the mandir’s members.
His actions landed him in court and yesterday San Fernando Senior Magistrate Margaret Alert bonded him in the sum of $10,000 to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the next two years.
Villafana, first appeared in court a few months ago and pleaded not guilty to the charge of marijuana possession.
When the case was called in the Fourth Court yesterday, he changed his plea to guilty.
Court prosecutor Sgt Parasan Ramsumair told the court that on May 26, at about 1.20pm while at Ramsaran Street, San Fernando, police searched Villafana and found 14 plastic packets of marijuana in his possession. The drug weighed 10.6 grammes. WPC Noel of the Marabella Police Station laid the charge.
Attorney Frank Gittens, who represented Villafana, told the court that last year December, his client’s home was destroyed by fire.
The attorney added that Villafana has four younger siblings and assured the magistrate that his client will have “no more run-ins with the law.” Addressing Villafana directly, Alert enquired why he had the marijuana.
He responded that he lost everything in the fire and was “looking to make some money”.
Alert placed him on the bond, and if he defaults, Villafana will serve seven months with hard labour in pri
Police prosecutor Sgt Parasan Ramsumair read that on Wednesday, police officers were on mobile patrol at Pointe-a- Pierre Road in San Fernando when they observed Lall smoking a cigarette of unusual length in an empty lot of land.
Upon further observations, police discovered that he was smoking the illegal narcotic and PC Lange charged him for the offence.
Unrepresented by an attorney yesterday, Lall admitted that he was indeed smoking marijuana.
His reason, Lall said, was because he was having “relationship problems with his girlfriend” and decided to use it to ease his “stress”.
Alert fined him $500 to be paid within 30 days or, in default of payment, he is to serve two months in prison
The Oropouche East MP noted that the murder rate and other crimes are out of control, unemployment is at its highest, the economy has virtually collapsed and there is a foreign exchange crisis among other issues.
“… And yet he has taken time away from his desk to sit at a desk in the malls to sign books,” Moonilal said.
“I find that to be insensitive, if not plainly reckless and disrespectful to the country. When you should be managing the affairs of State, you are conducting private business.” Moonilal made the comments yesterday at his constituency office at Debe Junction in Debe when he distributed hampers to constituents as part of sharing in the joy of Christmas.
“I am sure if the Prime Minister decided to sign his book on evenings or the weekends, there will be a stampede to get into the malls to get his book. But he ought not to be doing it in this way.” Moonilal recalled that under the People’s Partnership administration, the then Opposition (now ruling party) “quarrelled” about then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar taking time out to distribute toys to children during the Christmas season.
“When we were in office, everyone wanted to know where we got money to do this and that. One will also be interested to know where they got money to publish the book. Publishing a book costs a significant amount of funds and who paid to publish this book?” Moonilal questioned.
Earlier addressing the recipients of the hampers, Moonilal asked them to pray for their country “for things to go good in the new year” and for all to be safe, among other things.
He noted that the hampers, donated by the business community free-of-charge, were tokens of appreciation.
Speaking later at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair, Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Stuart Young stated, “There is legislation in place to deal with fireworks and explosives and that legislation should be enforced.” Young explained that the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) deals with the noise component of fireworks while the sale and licensing of fireworks is monitored by the Police Service.
Young was certain that both the EMA and the police are aware, “of the impending prevalence of fireworks’ use at periods such as Christmas time.” He added, “I would hope they would enforce the law.” The minister disclosed, “The Government is looking at the reform of the legislation. We are looking at change in policy et cetera and that is something you will hear about in the coming months.” During debate on the Finance Bill 2016 in the Senate, Independent Senator Dr Dhanyshar Mahabir suggested the imposition of a 25 percent nuisance tax on fireworks and regulations which will see fireworks only used between 11.30 pm and 12.30 am.
Martinez said the clean-up would involve tackling the “scourge of homelessness” and the removal of derelict vehicles and will be a massive operation.
“As a new Council, we are embracing the opportunity to collaborate and partner with the various agencies and stakeholders, and our citizens, to develop and implement key strategies and initiatives with clear objectives to deal with issues,” Martinez said.
“Focus and emphasis is also being placed on the removal of derelict vehicles, clearing of vacant and empty lots. We shall continue with all sanitation works which includes the cleaning of underground drains in the city. We are moving aggressively to address our challenges with sustainable solutions.”
One affected traveller told Newsday Tobago that passengers without vehicles were allowed to disembark, while all other passengers were forced to remain on the ferry due to a broken port ramp,
The passenger who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the ferry left Trinidad at 7am, arriving at the Scarborough Port by 11am, however, it was only when they arrived at the Scarborough Port, they were informed of the situation,
“That just should not have been the case, apparently they knew of the situation before hand but we as the drivers were left in the dark. It was only when we got there they told us what was happening. That was really not good enough, there was definitely a broken communication link and it affected only the drivers because we were inconvenienced greatly,” the woman said,
When contacted, Chief Executive Officer of the Port Authority, Leon Grant told Newsday Tobago they discovered the problem of the broken ramp on Wednesday evening and have been working assiduously on getting it fixed since then,
He confirmed that the passengers with vehicles were able to disembark at approximately 4.30pm, as the situation had been rectified,
This caused a delay in the sailing as the vessel was expected to depart Tobago at 4pm,
nor the board of Petrotrin was authorised to make any such offer.” He added, “That would include any offer of zero going forward.” Young said Finance Minister Colm Imbert has advised the Cabinet that Petrotrin and the OWTU have matters currently before the Industrial Court over a breakdown in negotiations between 2011 to 2014 and part of 2015.
“We understand that the Industrial Court is supposed to give its decision early in 2017.” After indicating that Government will await the conclusion of these matters and abide by the Court’s decision, Young said it made no sense for Petrotrin to begin any new wage negotiations with the OWTU until these matters are resolved because, “ you not able to place a dollar value on it.” Indicating that Government has Petrotrin, “under a microscope,” Young said Imbert has also advised Cabinet the company has certain financial arrangements that will become due in 2018 which could run into to billions. He said some of those arrangements involve bonds and Government will work with stakeholders to ensure that the rest of TT is not placed in financial circumstances that are deterimental to them, “based on small subsets and groups.” Young also said Imbert chairs a Cabinet sub committee which deals with various terms and conditions that can be offered to State entities and statutory bodies in the country, “including Petrotrin.”
