Reviewing Crime for 2005 [Trinidad & Tobago]

“It is the right and duty of the wise ones to purify the strong by teaching them their duties and to strengthen the weak by teaching them their rights.” [Subrahmanya C. Bharati – Indian Poet, Journalist and Activist 1882 – 1921].

Before I begin today’s column, I would like to pay special tribute to the late Leela Ramdass who worked for several years at the TNT News Centre Ltd. She passed away on January 3rd. Leela was always very friendly and ready to make conversation. In fact the last time I spoke with her a few days before her death, we were commenting on how dangerous this country has become and I told her that the cream she recommended for my “buss” head [when I was attacked by three bandits] could not be used on my skin. Leela always had a big smile and was always helpful. Very few things shock me these days, but her death was one of them. I will miss you Leela. May your soul rest in peace. I dedicate this poem to Leela. It was written by William Byrd.

Death is nothing but a moment's restUntil the Second Coming of the LordWhen He shall gather to Him of the bestTo take them to the place of their reward.I've felt the power of Jesus in my soulShining like a golden sun within,Melting my hard heart to make me whole,Burning out the remnants of my sin.I've felt Him work within me, so I knowThe glory that will come when I awake.I'll sleep just like a child who'll homeward go,And in my dreams of love great pleasure take.So do not mourn my death, and do not grieve.The Lord will come for me: This I believe.

Leela was quite right about the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. It has gotten completely out of hand and the government seems clueless on how to deal with it. 2005 was a deadly year for this country. Not only did we witness record levels of murders and kidnappings, but other crimes have been on the rise as well. In fact, many citizens no longer report crimes because they do not have confidence that the protective services will be able to do anything about their situation. I am guilty of this as well. There have been times that my life was put in danger, but I did not seek the comfort of the police. I sought comfort in those who I have confidence in to correct my dilemma. That is a common fact. It speaks volumes for the kind of society we now find ourselves living in.

I begin the review of 2005 on crime with a quote from Police Commissioner Trevor Paul. In an interview on December 31, 2004, the Commissioner stated, “the Police would do its best to address crime in 2005.” This of course was after a record of 260 murders and 229 kidnappings in 2004. Well, things got much worse in 2005. We recorded 387 murders, 78% of which or 302 remains unsolved. There were 240 kidnappings in 2005, with 58 held for ransom.
On March 16, 2005, Martin Joseph, the Minister of National Security said that government intends to spend $5.7 million over a 12 month period to transform the police service. The strategic approach included:

Crime Control Seminars
Strengthened Crime Analysis
Better Crime Data
More Effective Police Prosecution
Generating More Public Support and a
Special Homicide Task Force.

As of June 6, the country recorded increases in gang related murder over the corresponding period of the previous year [up from 6 to 31]; Drug Related murders [up from 4 to 8]; Domestic Violence murders [up from 4 to 12]; and Others [up from 2 to 19]. On this same day, Attorney General John Jeromie in Parliament announced an “All Out War” on criminals stating that government was bringing a package of emergency legislation to tackle the escalating crime. They included:

The Bail [Amendment] Bill 2005
The Summary Courts Amendment Bill
The Criminal Procedure [Amendment] Bill
The Administration of Justice [Miscellaneous Provisions] Bill
The Police Service Bill
The Police complaints Authority Bill and
The Corporal Punishment [Offenders Not Over 18][Amendment] Bill.

Even in face of all these grand plans, crime remained the dominant issue for 2005. It got worse and we ended the year with crime statistics many thought imaginable for Trinidad and Tobago. Not to be out done, the government purchased a Skyship for $26 million which included an additional $14 million in censors and surveillance equipment which coincidentally did not work. That “Blimp” had no effect on crime, yet by year’s end, the government leased another, larger but older version of the “Blimp” for three months- just in time for Carnival 2006. Not to be left behind are the million dollar “Eyes in the Sky” which had no surveillance equipment installed in them.

Although in December, the government and the opposition cooperated in passing the Bail [Amendment] Bill, we can expect more of the same for 2006 as far as crime is concerned.

2005 was not without corruption in the police service. $350 000 of marked ransom money was allegedly found in a senior policeman’s desk draw. It had been alleged that he threatened not to go down alone and the matter was dropped. A major war between the local Portuguese and Syrian communities led to the biggest drug bust in our nation’s history on August 22, worth over $700 million. Included in the find were an Uzi machine gun, four handguns, two assault rifles, and 247 rounds of assorted ammunition. A multi- million dollar fire in Barataria was also allegedly connected to this feud.

During the year, the United States, United Kingdom, Australian, and Canadian governments issued travel advisories to their citizens who had intentions of traveling to Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. State Department’s Consular Sheet on Trinidad and Tobago stated, “Incidents of violent crime are rising steadily on both islands. Visitors should exercise caution and good judgment, as in any large urban area, when visiting Trinidad and Tobago. The U.S. Embassy advises visitors to exercise caution when traveling from Trinidad's Piarco Airport, especially after dark, because of incidents involving armed robbers trailing arriving passengers from the airport and then accosting them outside the gates of their residences.”

“Areas to avoid in Trinidad include Laventille, South Belmont, scenic rest stops, the Savannah (crossing the park), and downtown Port of Spain (after dark). Violent crimes, including assault, kidnapping for ransom and murder, have involved foreign residents and tourists, including U.S. citizens. Two U.S. citizens were kidnapped during the first half of 2005. One American is still missing and the other American was released with a gun shot to the leg.”

It continues, “In Tobago, the media have reported an increase in the incidence of violent crimes, including murder, rape, and home robberies. In July 2005, a 14 year-old American female was murdered in her apartment in the seaside village of Charlotteville. In January, a German national was shot dead at his home and in April, a British national was shot during a robbery at home.”

The Australian government in its advisory stated, “Violent crimes including assault, kidnapping, and murder continue to increase. Armed robbery is common, particularly in Port of Spain and urban areas. Daylight attacks, including the use of firearms, have occurred at tourist sites, including Fort George in Port of Spain, and in car parks of supermarkets and shopping malls.”
2005 would be best known for the four bombings that occurred in and around the capital city of Port of Spain. All four bombings occurred approximately the same time during successive months [July 11, August 10, September 10, and October 10]. 14 people were injured in the first bombing, 2 critically.

Martin Joseph earned his award as worst government minister of the year for his entrance via helicopter at the site of the first bombing on Frederick Street, corrupting whatever evidence that was left from the bombing. That was real smart on his part. Downtown Port of Spain was thrown into panic and there was a significant drop in business up until the Christmas season.

The spiraling crime wave resulted in the “Death March” on October 22 when thousands of citizens from all across the country converged on the streets of Port of Spain to demonstrate their frustration against the ineffectiveness of the government and the lack of will on the part of politicians to cooperate in the fight against crime. Many described the march as a success although it was boycotted by the ruling party.
Trinidad and Tobago may never be the same again, but one thing is for sure. Early indications dictate that it will be more of the same for 2006. In light of all the wild spending on hi tech equipment, police officers are still made to function and perform their duties under the most strenuous of conditions, with rotting floor boards and leaking roofs. It is time that we the people proclaim that enough is enough, and if the government continues to fail in its responsibilities to protect the interests of all citizens, action must be taken to remove them from the office, placing a more competent group of people to tackling the challenges facing us in this modern world.

In a year of heightened kidnapping, one noticed that certain victims received special treatment from the protective services whilst others were made to fend for themselves. Many families of kidnap victims have complained about this disparity in mobilization and investigation. For some people, the regiment, and the police team up to search the forests whilst for others, they do not have enough vehicles to mount a credible search. That is democracy for you!

For a country that aspires for greatness, there still exist instances of torture. Do not be fooled- kidnap victims are always tortured and in the case of women- raped. Due to the stigma that is attached to such a heinous crime, it often goes unreported. At any rate, my heart goes out to all victims of crime and hopes that by the far stretch of the imagination, some miracle takes place in 2006 and crime is brought to an acceptable level. We as citizens of a God fearing nation deserve no less.

According to Rush Limbaugh [American Commentator b. 1951],”There’s a simple way to solve the crime problem: obey the law; punish those who do not.”