The National Security Minister was speaking in an Opposition on the "Dismantling of National Security Systems".
Sandy said made the point that many of the previous government's crime initiatives and strategies had failed, adding that the People's National Movement (PNM) does not have the moral authority to debate crime, given their track record in dealing with issue.
He used statistics to back up his claim. He said with respect to homicides, the number of murders so far this year, although high at 34, is still lower than it was in 2011 when 39 people were killed in the same period. He pointed out in 2010 it was even higher at 41, when the Manning PNM administration was in office.
"At the end of that fiscal year 2002, serious crimes stood at 16,610 with a detection rate of 23.5%. By fiscal year 2009, serious crimes had risen to 20,621, with a detection rate of 14.9%. That represents a 24% increase in serious crimes or an 8 percentage point or 36% decrease in the rate of detection," the minister stated.
Sandy said the country never had any benefit from the $50 million blimp.
"There were some guide ropes alongside the blimp and I am watching men running with that. Men running with those guide ropes to get that blimp airborne. About 20 men required to get that blimp airborne. It cannot become airborne in an emergency, and if the weather is bad, well waste of time," he said.
The Minister said between 2004 and 2006, it cost taxpayers $33 million to maintain and repair the airships, and $1.4 million to operate the blimp monthly. At the same time, he said, serious crime continued to escalate from 16,000 in 2004, to 22,000 in 2009.
"Saddled with this piece of equipment and having regard to the cost factor and its limited success, it was felt that we ought to get rid of it. Nobody wanted it. Nobody wanted to buy the blimp. As a consequence, it had to be sold to its original owner. They were the only people who wanted it," he said.
"At the end of that fiscal year 2002, serious crimes stood at 16,610 with a detection rate of 23.5%. By fiscal year 2009, serious crimes had risen to 20,621, with a detection rate of 14.9%. That represents a 24% increase in serious crimes or an 8 percentage point or 36% decrease in the rate of detection," the minister stated.
Sandy said the country never had any benefit from the $50 million blimp.
"There were some guide ropes alongside the blimp and I am watching men running with that. Men running with those guide ropes to get that blimp airborne. About 20 men required to get that blimp airborne. It cannot become airborne in an emergency, and if the weather is bad, well waste of time," he said.
The Minister said between 2004 and 2006, it cost taxpayers $33 million to maintain and repair the airships, and $1.4 million to operate the blimp monthly. At the same time, he said, serious crime continued to escalate from 16,000 in 2004, to 22,000 in 2009.
"Saddled with this piece of equipment and having regard to the cost factor and its limited success, it was felt that we ought to get rid of it. Nobody wanted it. Nobody wanted to buy the blimp. As a consequence, it had to be sold to its original owner. They were the only people who wanted it," he said.
Former Minister in the National Security Ministry Donna Cox, disputed that. And she said having 'gioven away' the blimp for $50,000 the government is now getting a 'dolly house plane' to replace the airship.
Cox told Parliament the government is leasing a Zenith CH 750 Air-Scout for a 12-week period for US140,000 although the cost of the plane is only US$19,480.
She also claimed that there was no tendering for the plane and stated that Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Ewatski was involved in the deal, backing up her charges with what she said was private emails.
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