?"Good day, Mr Raphael, I salute you on your continued run of balanced commentaries which to my mind should be necessary reading for all.
"With regard to your support of the Defence Force playing a part in the attempts to stem the tide of violence in schools, I wish to suggest that you consider, if agreeable, using your column to influence those in authority to look at the possibility of developing a 'boot-camp' model for those misled and misguided youths, supported by psychologists and social workers, and their families. "This has been used for many years in certain jurisdictions in the USA with a fairly high degree of success. I remember seeing some clips on a talk show some years ago, perhaps on Oprah.
"One has to remember that these children are, at most times, not substantially at fault for their errant behaviour, but are products of a society and environment over which they have no control. "Out of past personal experience, they would rather do right than wrong. "Of course this is not the only solution and other initiatives must also be launched with the help of the many other organisations in Trinidad who feel no pride whatsoever in seeing their charges heading the wrong way. "I wish to offer you my humble congratulations and respect in your continued presentation to the national community (of) such well-thought(out) and fair-minded commentaries.
Sincerely
David Bovell"
"Hi, Clevon. Before you get upset over my objection, allow me to introduce myself–your cousin Esm� Raphael, the sister of Rawle Raphael. "I would like to suggest that you soften your tone a little with regard to your third item in today's Guardian (June 23): 'I am absolutely opposed to the selection of a foreigner to head the Police Service.' "The Police Service here in T&T has two major problems which require good skills:
"1. The management of the Police Service (managerial skills).
"2. The crime (a real crimebuster who has no ties with T&T).
"My suggestion is:
"1. Have two commissioners with direct responsibilities as I mentioned in (1 & 2). It would take at least two years to fix the management problems. I do not know what it will take to fix the crime.
"2. Send those police officers who have two and three years vacation on leave. That is a ridiculous state of affairs. If I can do without an employee for six months then I do not need you.
"Clevon, these are my initial thoughts. I am always of the opinion that we should always make a suggestion for the solution.
"Have a great day! God bless.
Esm�"
The above are two of the comments generated from last week's column, which topic I return to this week with a great deal of disappointment and anger. But I would like to offer brief responses to the above missives. First, I don't agree with the idea of a boot-camp system in this country unless careful steps are taken to ensure that such an institution would deliver the desired results. There are several types of boot camps or versions of such and while there is no guarantee that any can work here, any move in this direction must be carefully thought out, taking into consideration our cultural landscape and all what that represents. We are all painfully aware of the senseless killings ravaging our homeland and that a very large percentage of these homicides involve young people either as the victims or perpetrators.
But we are caught between the proverbial devil and the deep blue sea in trying to restore our country once more into the safe haven it used to be. Secondly, I remain vehemently opposed to the appointment of any foreigner as Commissioner of Police unless that person comes with water-tight guarantees that he or she would get the job done–a drastic reduction in the number of homicides. T&T has wasted more than $60 million, and counting, on hiring sundry foreign security personnel over the last eight years, with nothing substantial to show for that large expenditure in terms of cost versus benefits. The large amount of citizens who want to see a foreigner installed as the CoP is indicative of the frustration we all suffer with the unbridled reign of the criminals, who are taking out whoever they want without let or hindrance. I am very much angry over the unseemly difficulty in appointing a Commissioner of Police when the murderous criminals are very productive in the prosecution of their nefarious activities.
While the powers that be and the citizens squabble over whether there should be a foreign or a local top cop, we continue to be at the mercy of these people who have no time for exercises in time-wasting. They are getting on with their jobs in a most efficient and deadly manner. But we have to blame the last administration for putting us in the mess we have found ourselves, all because of one man's love for "foreign" over his own nationals. No doubt he has been laughing keif keif keh keh over the current imbroglio. I am appealing to the PP regime to please hurry and rectify this situation as early as possible, even if it means amending the legislation to ensure a satisfactory conclusion. Time is not our side.