The recent physical attack on nurses by patients at the PoS General Hospital raises an alarm bell. How prepared are the security systems, officers and staff to deal with such and other dangerously threateningly situations?At that same hospital there were recent instances where criminals entered wards looking for other alleged criminals. What was done? Nothing effective! Was anyone held, charged, etc? Was the ward or block locked down?
Did the people walk or drive out the hospital compound without the security at the exit points being notified? It shows a complete breakdown in the response system.Then, there are the sea and air ports? How are the officers and staff prepared for any attack by criminals–local and international? Do they have systems in place to deal with emergencies? We often see some officers walking around or positioned, but are they really prepared?
Further, what about our large precious estates like Petrotrin, Pt Lisas, Chaguaramas Development, etc?Also, TTEC, WASA and PTSC have large and critical areas under their jurisdiction. How ready are they for responding to threatening situations?And, let us not leave out the schools. Are the MTS officers, school safety officers and private security officers prepared to deal with confrontations? If so, why do schools experience these on a daily basis?
These are some serious questions we must ask. We the citizens must be assured somehow that our nation's assets, and most importantly, the people that work and access their services daily, will not suffer if some untoward situation were to arise. We need to feel safe.In this age of increased terrorism and criminal gangs, we as citizens must also ensure that our interests are protected.
We are always hearing about sabotage here and there, such as at a work site in south Trinidad where the highway extension is taking place; a few months ago at the National Quarries in east Trinidad; copper theft from TTEC and Petrotrin; and so on.But how were these not prevented nor detected? When people are injured and expensive items are damaged or stolen, it is you and I that pay for it.
These crimes were committed by people. Why weren't the security in place responsive? Were they afraid and turned a blind eye, or absent?I urge the powers that be to have appropriate systems in place as well as a well-trained and equipped security staff.
Shane Williams