(Trinidad Guardian) National Security Minister Jack Warner is contemplating bringing back the police marine branch to complement the Coast Guard in patrolling and securing the nation’s sea borders. The marine branch was closed by the NAR government during its 1986-1990 tenure. Warner said the marine branch can complement the Coast Guard in safeguarding our borders from drugs and gun smugglers into T&T.
He said both the marine branch and the Coast Guard can work hand-in-hand to achieve this objective. Warner threw out the idea yesterday while delivering the feature address at the opening of the first phase of the Felicity/Charlieville Fishing Association’s fishing project on the banks of the Cunupia River.
Warner also slammed PNM MPs Dr Keith Rowley, Colm Imbert and Fitzgerald Hinds who he claimed are bent on seeing crime increase, so the Government can look bad. He branded the trio as “clowns” and likened them to the three characters Wynken, Blynken, and Nod from the Dutch Lullaby written by poet Eugene Field (1850-1895).
He said, “They believe they can bring down the Government if the Government looks bad, but nobody taking them on.” Warner said the PNM had done nothing positive for their communities, nor have they instilled any social programmes to see the upliftment of citizens in their constituencies.
Warner praised the fishing association for coming up with a project that would see infrastructural development in the area and the creation of several job opportunities and avenues for eco-tourism. He said the Ministry of Works was supposed to start dredging in the area with new equipment on Monday.
Warner also praised the Central Division police headed by Snr Supt Deodath Doolarchan. He said the Central Division has set up several police youth clubs in the division and would be launching the Felicity Police Youth Club on August 25, which he expects the Prime Minister to attend. Warner said such soft measures can impact in the long term in crime prevention.
Speaking with the media, Warner said he has the full support of the Prime Minister in his crime-fighting initiatives. Warner said he plans on reopening these remote police posts in a bid to add some level of comfort and security to persons living, especially in rural areas.
