The latest killings put the nation's death toll for the year at 263, which is 62 fewer than the number of murders for the same period last year. However there is no comfort in knowing that 263 citizens have died violently in eight months at the hands of killers who seem to fear no one.
What is even more disturbing about all this is that police are on record as saying many of the victims were "in the wrong place at the wrong time."
In a free country, there must be no "wrong place" and if there is it is the responsibility of the police and others responsible for fighting crime to clean up the "wrong place". I recall former acting police commissioner James Philbert chastising women for encouraging rapists and robbers by wearing sexy clothing and expensive jewelry.
The crime story is bothersome too because of the sophistication of the weapons the killers use and their audacity, coupled with the "blindness and deafness" of witnesses.
This is how the Guardian reported one incident:
"Police said the victims were all killed execution style with the victims being in the wrong place at wrong time. In the first incident in Jonestown, Arima, on Thursday night, four men were shot dead while three others were injured when two gunmen attacked a shop in the area..."
Reports of the other killings are just as frightening. "Denise Phillips, was shot in the head at point blank range in Point Lisas."
There are several common elements in the killings - most victims are young, the killers know their targets and witnesses are like the three monkeys who see no evil, hear no evil and do no evil.
And while we could argue ad nauseum that they have a civic responsibility they will say, with justification, their first responsibility is to preserve their own lives and to protect their families. It is public knowledge that killers whose allies are on trial have "executed" witnesses.
Someone has to take responsibility for this lawlessness and move effectively against the criminals who stalk our neigbourhoods. But who?
The People's Partnerhsip campaigned on an anti-crime platform. Now the responsibility falls on the government to keep its promise to the nation and rid the country of this scourge.
No one expects it to happen overnight. Citizens were relieved when the number of serious crimes was falling. Indeed it is, if you look at the figures. But you cannot make a nation feel safe with statistics alone.
No one can feel safe when people know that a criminal can walk into a crowd, kill people and just walk away. No one can feel safe when police withdraw their enthusiasm by putting personal interests ahead of their sworn duty to serve and protect the nation. No one can fell safe because a politician says everything will be allright.
The brutal reality is that crime was the number one problem under the previous administration and it remains so today. After a brief lull, the killing fields in Trinidad and Tobago are open again.
The buck has to stop somewhere.
The minister of national security and the police commissioner have a responsibility to find a way to do their jobs or quit. The Prime Minister, as head of the National Security Council, has a responsibility to demand no less.
We believed you, Prime Minister, when you said you would deal forcefully with crime; we still believe you. That is why we are asking you to take decisive action now and demand that those to whom you entrusted this responsibility do their jobs.
Every life is precious. It is no excuse to say the killings are gang-related or that people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Police have to find the killers, put them behind bars and stop the crime!
You promised us a safe country, Prime Minister. We are depending on you to deliver on that promise now!
What is even more disturbing about all this is that police are on record as saying many of the victims were "in the wrong place at the wrong time."
In a free country, there must be no "wrong place" and if there is it is the responsibility of the police and others responsible for fighting crime to clean up the "wrong place". I recall former acting police commissioner James Philbert chastising women for encouraging rapists and robbers by wearing sexy clothing and expensive jewelry.
The crime story is bothersome too because of the sophistication of the weapons the killers use and their audacity, coupled with the "blindness and deafness" of witnesses.
This is how the Guardian reported one incident:
"Police said the victims were all killed execution style with the victims being in the wrong place at wrong time. In the first incident in Jonestown, Arima, on Thursday night, four men were shot dead while three others were injured when two gunmen attacked a shop in the area..."
Reports of the other killings are just as frightening. "Denise Phillips, was shot in the head at point blank range in Point Lisas."
There are several common elements in the killings - most victims are young, the killers know their targets and witnesses are like the three monkeys who see no evil, hear no evil and do no evil.
And while we could argue ad nauseum that they have a civic responsibility they will say, with justification, their first responsibility is to preserve their own lives and to protect their families. It is public knowledge that killers whose allies are on trial have "executed" witnesses.
Someone has to take responsibility for this lawlessness and move effectively against the criminals who stalk our neigbourhoods. But who?
The People's Partnerhsip campaigned on an anti-crime platform. Now the responsibility falls on the government to keep its promise to the nation and rid the country of this scourge.
No one expects it to happen overnight. Citizens were relieved when the number of serious crimes was falling. Indeed it is, if you look at the figures. But you cannot make a nation feel safe with statistics alone.
No one can feel safe when people know that a criminal can walk into a crowd, kill people and just walk away. No one can feel safe when police withdraw their enthusiasm by putting personal interests ahead of their sworn duty to serve and protect the nation. No one can fell safe because a politician says everything will be allright.
The brutal reality is that crime was the number one problem under the previous administration and it remains so today. After a brief lull, the killing fields in Trinidad and Tobago are open again.
The buck has to stop somewhere.
The minister of national security and the police commissioner have a responsibility to find a way to do their jobs or quit. The Prime Minister, as head of the National Security Council, has a responsibility to demand no less.
We believed you, Prime Minister, when you said you would deal forcefully with crime; we still believe you. That is why we are asking you to take decisive action now and demand that those to whom you entrusted this responsibility do their jobs.
Every life is precious. It is no excuse to say the killings are gang-related or that people are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Police have to find the killers, put them behind bars and stop the crime!
You promised us a safe country, Prime Minister. We are depending on you to deliver on that promise now!
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