Government has stepped up vigilance at sea ports, increased surveillance at airports, and is now targeting money-laundering and white-collar crime in its war on crime.
By Gail AlexanderLegislative support for the effort will also be introduced in Parliament again.
In a televised address to the nation last evening, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said, ?We are determined to make the police stronger than the criminals.?
He outlined various anti-crime measures to stem the rising wave of crime. He also announced a review and expansion of 15 social sector programmes.
Emphasis in these programmes would be placed on ensuring they were ?truly national in scope,? had proper management arrangements and included a consistent monitoring mechanisms, he said.
Manning?s address followed through on a promise he made three weeks ago to address the nation about the crime situation, following defeat of the police reform bills in Parliament.
He said the Government had a Plan B.
?We know you are very concerned about the unacceptable levels of murders and other criminal activity in the country and quite rightly need to know what the Government is doing about it,? he said.
Outlining anti-crime measures, Manning said that by July 1, some 28 ports were certified as ISPS-compliant, which meant that security systems were either in place or would shortly be in place.
?We have also stepped up surveillance at our airports, both in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition, the Customs department has begun conducting rigorous container examinations at our ports to stem the flow of drugs and guns.
?All these measures will be supported by sustained field operations by various elements of the protective services.?
Manning said that the Government had unsuccessfully attempted to pass the police reform bills to improve the Police Service.
?Consequently, we are going to introduce legislation into Parliament, wherever we can, to provide the legislative support in this war ? two pieces being a bill to provide for no bail for kidnapping and legislation to strengthen our forensic capability.?
Manning added: ?We are accelerating the implementation of cutting edge technology combined with improved intelligence to deal with kidnappers. I say no more.?
The Government had presented a similar no-bail bill last year. But due to lack of Opposition support, it was passed in a watered-down form, without the no-bail clause.
Manning said National Security Minister Martin Joseph had been instructed to revise his budget to provide further critical resources to assist new Police Commissioner Trevor Paul.
He said Paul was now paying special attention to certain hot spots which required constant attention.
Another aspect of criminal activity engaging the attention of specialists, he said, was money-laundering and white-collar crime.
?Criminals are no less criminals because they are powerful persons in the community. We shall not bend. We shall not compromise in this quest to pursue the corrupt until this menace in public life is eradicated.?
Manning reiterated anti-crime measures he had previously announced. These included acquisition of a high- tech radar system, fully operational by year-end, plus interdiction equipment including fast interceptor patrol boats.
He said some youths had lost hope and were despairing since they did not possess the required skills to become sustainably employed.
Noting a number of social sector programmes to train youths, he said Government would select 15 of these programmes to review and expand.
A placement service would be established to ensure all programmes provided job opportunities, he said.
He said the Education Minister would address the nation comprehensively on the education system when Parliament reconvened in September.
Manning added: ?We know with the implementation of short-term and long-term measures including technology, legislation, education, training and empowerment and enhanced police capability, we shall succeed.
?We are convinced we are on the right track and we will return T&T to acceptable levels of safety, peace and security.?
?An analysis reveals that major crimes are related to the following:
1. The drug trade
2. The confidence of the criminals that they are better organised than the police
3. Unemployment and hopelessness among the youth
the inadequacy of the education system, as it was, to properly prepare young people for the challenges of life.?
? Prime Minister Patrick Manning in an address to the nation last evening.
