I find it fascinating that miracles are expected of Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, a foreigner, in the fight against crime in Trinidad and Tobago. It would appear that from top to bottom, we continue to be in denial about the root causes of crime in our nation. And instead of recognising the causes and addressing them as a measure toward resolution, we hired Dwayne Gibbs and awaited the miracle because the home-made remedies including obeah, had failed.
Can we turn the corner on crime in our country? Of course we can, but not while it continues to be politicised. For decades we went about creating a breeding ground for criminal activity, especially among the poor. In many instances, we facilitated it and now that crime has blossomed and appears to have the potential of becoming culturally imbedded, we are prepared to blame everyone but ourselves.
Errol F Hosein
via e-mail