MP for Chaguanas East Vandana Mohit is lamenting the level of crime in her constituency and has accused National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds of ignoring her letters about the issue.
While speaking at a UNC press conference yesterday at the party’s headquarters in Chaguanas, Mohit accused Hinds of not doing anything to address crime or make citizens feel safe.
Commenting on the country’s most recent kidnapping, the daughter of the owner of Sauce Doubles, 27-year-old Anisha Hosein, who was abducted in El Dorado on Saturday, Mohit was daunted by how innocent people, especially women in this country can easily become victims of crime.
Mohit said residents of her constituency are also fearful to leave their homes and even with burglar proofing, they no longer feel safe.
Mohit said, “Yesterday (Saturday) you would have seen a doubles vendor...a young woman who I happen to know not from the constituency of Chaguanas East and this is so disheartening to see a young woman being dragged while setting up to make an honest dollar.
“And, this is the situation faced by many persons who are leaving their homes each and every day to make an honest dollar while we have a Minister of National Security who is not doing anything to make our citizens feel safe,” Mohit said.
Mohit also accused Government of neglecting her constituency. She explained that even with burglar proofing and other security measures, residents of Chaguanas East are consumed by fear and have become targets of criminals.
“We are in a position in this country where our residents are no longer having hope in burglar proofing, because at some point during the day, you have to walk out the house, go to the supermarket. You have to pick up your child at school. You have to go to work. You have to go to the mall. You have to go to the store and you are not sure to return home,” she added.
Mohit claimed that she has written to Hinds multiple times and he has failed to address her concerns.
She said in addition to crime, Chaguanas East is riddled with potholes, inadequate drainage systems, traffic and a lack of opportunities for youth.