Drayton: Stop playing politics with crime (with CNC3 video)

Independent Senator Helen Drayton has warned the Government about its handling of the crime situation, particularly ministers’ statements, since public confidence is at risk in the crime “spike” threatening T&T’s stability. Drayton spoke during yesterday’s Senate debate on an Opposition motion which called for the Government to reaffirm commitment to the principles and practices of democracy.

She focused on the crime crisis, statements by public officials on the issue and the Flying Squad furore, and warned Government about public confidence concerning the situation. Her comments came four days after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced joint police-army patrols were being implemented to stem the spike in crime.

Drayton called for the motion to be amended to include the aspect of safety and security of citizens and for members to agree to a national security committee of Parliament to scrutinise and monitor national security measures. “It’s time to stop politicising crime, in the interest of citizens’ rights to life, liberty and security,” she said.

Independent senator supports the use of a police flying squad

“This situation with crime is far too serious, it’s a threat to the stability of the country, a threat to the emotional and mental health of citizens and a threat to democracy.” She extended condolences to families whose loved ones had died at the hands of criminals or in accidents. Also distressing, she said, were recent remarks by public officials and in some cases also, the deportment of senior public officials.

Noting recent statements by the acting Police Commissioner and Police Service Commission, Drayton said: “If the police are doing all they can and if measures implemented aren’t working, how can the Government and law enforcement agencies uphold people’s right to life and security?” Drayton said she believed strides on the problem were made over the past few years. But she said there were five significant areas in the current situation. 

She said this included the relentless level of murders daily, the age group of most of the killers and the number of them who “are in the pipeline and who are ready to target their next victim.” She also cited the lack of meaningful intervention to “shut down the pipeline.”

Noting recent statements by the acting Police Commissioner and Police Service Commission, Drayton said: “If the police are doing all they can and if measures implemented aren’t working, how can the Government and law enforcement agencies uphold people’s right to life and security?”

Drayton said she believed strides on the problem were made over the past few years. But she said there were five significant areas in the current situation. She said this included the relentless level of murders daily, the age group of most of the killers and the number of them who “are in the pipeline and who are ready to target their next victim.” She also cited the lack of meaningful intervention to “shut down the pipeline.”

“The other aspect is the serious issue in the public domain surrounding the integrity of national security governance, and it is this perhaps more than anything else that worries citizens, since citizens are relying on the hierarchy of national security to ensure performance at the operational level and ensure that such performance is in keeping with the principles of democracy,” Drayton said.

She also cited the politicising of crime as an issue. Drayton said: “Given the depressing situation, how does the average citizen assimilate these statements by senior public officials? In the wake of the murder of the National Security Minister’s gardener, we’re told the criminals believed he was an informant. At the same time, after the murder of Sgt Manwaring, the police chief pleaded with the public to give information on crime.” 

She questioned how people would give information if they felt they were in danger if they informed police. Drayton said she would, under the current crime spike, be very comfortable to know there is a police Flying Squad. “Given the terrain of T&T and the number of bodies turning up daily, a properly established Flying Squad, properly staffed and properly accounted for, is probably a very good strategy in the anti-crime fight,” she said.

She said citizens should not simply blame the government and law-enforcement agencies for the crime situation, since parents must take responsibility for raising children. But she said many parents are not equipped for this.