MP: Tax break for security cameras coming

People purchasing video cameras to enhance their security at home and in their businessplaces may get a tax break in the  coming fiscal year, says Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial. She was speaking with the T&T Guardian on Saturday. Ramdial said she has had discussions with Finance Minister Larry Howai who has taken the idea into consideration and would be setting up a team to look at the feasibility of having the tax break available in the 2013-2014 budget.

The MP said the idea came from members of the public who complained that the costs of security cameras were too expensive for ordinary householders while businessmen said professional security  systems can cost more than $25,000. She said the cameras were a good deterrent to crime but noted that people must get the proper advice when purchasing systems.

Ramdial said systems that record high resolution images with the possibility of having images stored at a remote location may be among the better options for consumers. She said she also was looking at the Human Trafficking Bill to take action against the owners of brothels operating in the constituency of Couva North.

Ramdial said she met with constituents last week who complained  that two brothels in the area were the root cause of crime in the community. She said a raid of a well-known hotel at Chase Village two weeks ago by Senior Sup Deodath Dulalchan and Insp Johnny Abraham nabbed 11 women from  Colombia who were charged with prostitution. Ramdial said she would be speaking to the Attorney General and the Minister of National Security to ensure the law is enforced.