(Trinidad Express) In a statement posted to the social media account of the Office of the Prime Minister just after midnight, Dr Keith Rowley acknowledged the failure of the State and security agencies in fighting off the criminal element causing death and misery across the islands. And he made an appeal for all to get involved.
The following is his statement:
The unacceptable high level of violent crime in the country has attracted the consistent attention and not inconsiderable resources of the state.
There is much more to be done in very many areas. It was my hope and genuine expectation that the ongoing national effort against violent crime, particularly murders and other violent assaults, would have seen a visible reduction in number as we go forward.
Unfortunately, even the significant efforts of the National Security agencies, have not deterred the criminal minds which operate, as though, without fear of detection and certainty of timely, dissuading punishment.
I am very disappointed in the outturn where once again in this small nation, frequent killings see us, for the second year straight, recording over 600 deaths attributed to widespread violence.
As much as the Police has done, they are required to do much more if the stated objectives are to be attained.
The Government will continue to provide full support to the Police and other agencies and encourages all stakeholders from the home to the courthouse to provide no safe harbor and comfort to the criminal element which believes that it can plan, execute and terrorize the nation with impunity.
To get the better of the widespread criminal conduct we need to do more at the state level in all areas just as we call on households of interest to get involved in doing more to increase the safety and security we all so desperately need.
If I am to make some special appeals they are to the Police that they make the criminals uncomfortable with penetrating detection methods.
To those who know and are doing or saying nothing, stop normalizing criminal conduct in your social life and to those who share the proceeds of violent criminal conduct, stop encouraging or shielding your family members and friends who are engaging in criminal conduct.
To those in authority who are responsible for dispensing justice, stop pretending that criminals are the victims who deserve only mercy when by their heartless, lawless behaviour they are to receive firm punishment as prescribed by the law as enacted in anticipation to cover the various destabilizing practices.
The Government does not believe that we as a nation cannot get the upper hand of criminal conduct which has evolved to becoming a major public health issue at this time but we will all need to do more and even do differently if we are to keep violent criminal conduct where it belongs.