Curfew backed but concern over image

Filled with little hope and lots of scepticism, residents of areas designated as “hot spots” by the Government are ready and willing to co-operate with the imposed 9 pm to 5 am curfew. Yesterday, residents seemed to agree with the Government’s initiative of a limited state of emergency. Some questioned its effectiveness while others raised concerns about its effect on the image of T&T internationally but none voiced any disagreement with the methods. San Juan resident Roxanne Burke described the state of emergency as a good thing. “I don’t really know whether it can work or not because criminals are becoming reckless. They commit crimes in broad daylight now,” said Burke.

She felt the emergency should have been imposed on the entire country instead of hot spots. Petit Valley resident, Ronald Daniel, felt that despite the Government outlining hot spots, the limited state of emergency would in fact affect the entire country. “It will affect everybody and will inconvenience everybody but something has to be done. When it isn’t murders, it’s robberies,” he said. Daniel expressed concerns, however, that negative effects could occur. “It will hurt the economy,” he said. “And it will reflect badly on the country. It’s already spread all over the world that the country is in a state of emergency”.

While some held reservations, others breathed a sigh of relief at Government’s plan. “It took too long to happen,” said Arima resident Rupert Nicholas. “Arima was once a peaceful place but now there is a lot of crime and we welcome this plan,” he said.