New anti crime measures in Trinidad and Tobago amidst failed crime bills
by Marcia Braveboy
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: National Security
Minister Martin Joseph is expected to address the nation this week to
introduce a series of crime measures the Government is seeking to implement to
help curb the crime situation and surge in kidnappings in Trinidad and Tobago.
This latest plan comes amidst the failure of the crime bills the People’s
National Movement (PNM) Government led by Prime Minister Patrick Manning
sought to pass some weeks ago in parliament, but met strong opposition from
the United National Congress (UNC) opposition leader Basdeo Panday and his
members. The bills failed despite advertised promotions in the mass media and
support from key elements within the business community to let the bills pass.
Opposition leader Basdeo Panday raised the concern of checks and balances. He
said that the result of this decision would bring about a police state that
will allow too much power to the PNM regime.
However up to Sunday it was reported that
133 persons have been murdered so far during 2004 and two recent kidnap
victims are still held by their kidnappers.
The Government has expressed the hope that the new crime measures will produce
the desired results in relation to the crime situation in Trinidad.
The measures expected to go into effect by next Friday, include a possible
saturated police presence in high crime areas around the clock, a helicopter
patrol, and continuous raids and searches for illegal drugs, arms and
ammunition.
While it is believed that some of these
measures may meet public resistance, the authorities believe that such
measures will help to reduce the influence of the criminal elements in the
country.
These changes are to be implemented at a
time when the present Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs is about to
retire; Deputy Commissioner Trevor Paul is expected to assume the role of
Acting Commissioner next Wednesday while Snaggs will be celebrating his 60th
birthday on Thursday of that week.
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