Trinidad business leaders call for new anti-crime laws to be debated
by Marcia Braveboy
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: Business leaders in Trinidad and Tobago are urging
opposition leader Basdeo Panday to debate in good faith new anti-crime
legislation presented by the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM).
However the minority political party, the United National Congress (UNC), is
attempting to persuade the masses that the proposed legislation is going to
give the Government too much power over the police force, rather than solve
crime.
The ruling PNM seeks to present a solution to curb the crime rate in Trinidad
and Tobago by bringing to parliament three bills they say are necessary for its success,
all relating to the powers and administration of the police force.
Both presidents of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce Dr.
James Lee Young and president of the Trinidad and Tobago Christian Moutette
are making demands on the UNC leader to be more considerate on the issue of
the bills. Panday, softening to the
pressures, says he is willing to facilitate discussions regarding the proposed
legislation but there must be checks and balances.
Leader of Government business in the House of Representatives Ken Valley has
left an open door for a negotiated settlement while there is still time for a
meeting of minds. Valley says the bills are a start to solving the crime
situation currently plaguing Trinidad and Tobago.
The Government is seeking to introduce the new legislation amidst constant
kidnapping and killings of entrepreneurs and their family members in Trinidad,
and at a time when corruption is reportedly rampant among police officers.
Police Constable David Merez, 42, was recently charged with possession of 4.5
kg of cocaine. Trinidad & Tobago Television (TTT) cameraman Phil Button was
repeatedly kicked and had his camera smashed to the ground by a relative of
Merez while he was being charged in court this week.
In another incident, 27 year old Noel Stanley died at the Port of Spain
General Hospital after being interrogated by police. Stanley’s family wants
the truth about his death as they believe that police beat him during
interrogation. Police officers had detained what they described as a
suspicious looking Stanley in the street for questioning and found a bag
containing marijuana after searching him.
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