(Trinidad Guardian) National Security Minister Jack Warner has promised to crack down on crime and return Trinidad and Tobago to a level of normalcy, even if it means bringing back the flying squad and other measures that worked in the past. He said this yesterday in an interview at his Chaguanas West constituency office at Caroni Savannah Road, where over 300 people had gathered to seek help.
Warner said he plans to issue a full statement tomorrow, following a meeting with key officials in the various arms of his new ministry. A new crime plan will be revealed in two to three weeks time, the Minister assured. Warner said his appointment signals the “dawn of a new era” as he hopes to institute a new level of morale in the protective service and a new level of respect for the law.
Warner said he was not in support of the 21st century police initiative, and had last month berated the police for the closure of the Caroni Police Station. Warner said it was a paradox that the government was building nine police stations while others are being closed.
He said he has no intention of supporting the closure of anymore police stations but will request more patrols, especially on the weekend when there is an upsurge in road accidents. Warner also suggested that plans for the nine police stations be modified to include additional space for fire stations.
‘It can’t be business as usual’
He issued a warning to road users who break the law—especially people who consume alcohol—that they would have to pay a heavy price. “It can’t be business as usual,” Warner said. Warner said he plans to give his full support to policemen who are in support of his crime-busting initiatives, which will be announced shortly, within the next two weeks to a month.
He said he plans to visit police stations at any hour and any time and even go on police raids from time to time. He said he would go to any length to ensure that lawmen get good and fair treatment. However, he warned lawmen who break the law and use their office to terrorise the community.
The new National Security Minister said it was only last Monday that people from Five Rivers complained about being terrorised by police. He said he intends to investigate the complaint this week. Warner also plans to set up a hotline in every division to receive complaints as he seeks to root out all bad apples out of the service.
He said it was time to go back to the basics to get crime under control, even if it means bringing back the flying squad and getting more social groups as the girl guides, scouts and cadets active in all schools. He has no intention of being under the guard of heavily armed police officers like National Security ministers of the past, and he wants to interact with the police and the public to get feedback. Warner said he plans to assist the police to clean up Chaguanas West.
