No let-up in crime situation

"Manning also said Government was as concerned about crime as the citizens of this country. If the solutions were easy, we would have solved the problem a long time ago,” he said, adding that it was not too late. “What we can commit ourselves to is this: If we try A and A does not work, we will try B; and if B doesn’t work, we would try C. We will try, and we will try, and we will try until we solve that (crime) problem in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago."

The year 2010 has picked up where 2009 left off: 30 murders in 20 days.

The search for a Commissioner of Police kick-starts like an old car that will probably chug along as the murder rate gallops. Jerrold Maule was shot 18 times, because he dared to change and live a decent, honest life. Innocent children such as Tecia Henry are once again killed and maimed in the heat and hate of criminal gang warfare. Brent Jerome, hard-working farmer and father of three, was fatally shot for no apparent reason. As if to demonstrate open defiance and insult Martin Joseph, criminals got out of the blocks like they were running a 100 meters dash. Mr Joseph recently boasted that he had kept his promise to keep the murder rate for 2009 lower than 2008. Each year, his empty promises are repeated.

No one really bothers to call for his removal anymore, because PM Manning has made it plain that he will not move him. (Understandably so, for if under-performance was a reason for dismissal from Cabinet, Mr Manning himself might have had to resign). The Freedom Chambers network administrator has done a projection that is frightening. The graph below shows the steady rise in crime and its accelerated upwards trend since the PNM assumed office.

Blood is going to continue to flow like water, as young and old alike are gunned down like manicous. The bland attitude and approach of the Government to the No 1 problem facing us means that there is no hope for a safer T&T in 2010. This graph shows a country where the lawless and lawlessness seem set to prevail. T&T badly needs a rescue mission—and soon.

By Anand Ramlogan