Securing T&T... (Crime & Crime Management)

In response to the headline - "PM says Gov't to consider granting new powers to soldiers to tackle crime" I want to ask, how is this supposed to help? The police service does not lack for numbers or manpower, it lacks motivation and management. Police Commissioner Gibbs and Deputy Commissioner Ewatski were doing exactly that, but apparently not in a manner that would allow the government to interfere with law enforcement as they liked or else they would still be here getting the job done. The issue of precepting or otherwise turning the army on the citizenry is another knee jerk reaction and a foolhardy one because, simply put, the army is not set up to function in a civilian environment; more importantly though, this idea removes the army from being a 'final' response should any overt attempt be made against the democracy or state and compromises our national security.

In my opinion this is not a sensible idea nor is it a required one and I fear that all it may do is lead to more bloodshed and an escalation on both sides.

Clearly we need to reform our law enforcement but repairs to an engine in motion requires a skilled hand not bush mechanics. There are immediate solutions that can be implemented though, and again I would like to suggest the following:

1) Break the country up into forty one autonomous precincts using the existing constituencies as boundaries.

2) Create a National Security Oversight Board made up of two Members of Parliament each from both sides of the House, and an equal number of Law enforcement professionals to 'interview' the Commissioner and his 41 Inspectors on a regular basis for status reports and progress in their respective responsibilities.

3) Appoint 41 Inspectors answerable to the Commissioner and the National Security Oversight Board with complete responsibility for outfitting, manning and setting up stations and outposts within the borders of his or her precinct and a mandate to bring crime within that constituency under control.

4) Set up (temporarily until the log jam is cleared) the following:
 - A Current Case Court (To deal with cases from 'today' go forward)
 - A Cold Case Court (to deal with cases from 'yesterday' go back)
 - A Gun and Firearms Court
 - A Drug and Narcotic Crimes Court

5) Invite ALL activists and NGO's to a frank and no holds barred discussion aimed at social intervention in the at risk communities to work together with government and protective services at implementing social redevelopment policy framework and initiatives and roll out IMMEDIATELY!

6) Create Police Service/Community teams (similar to the PTA) to work together at bridging law enforcement with the people they serve. These teams would establish links that would serve the interests of both sides and close the gaps of communication within the communities.

7) Create and protect 24 hour community 'safe zones' where people who feel themselves in danger could turn to for protection in the 'hot spots.'

8) Make zero tolerance on firearms mean zero tolerance on firearms. Build a 'holding center' in Chaguaramas for anyone found with an unlicensed firearm to be held for three months (amend legislation if required) no bail. (Effectively removes one potential shooter from the street). Immediately destroy all guns seized.

9) Incentivize and reward Law enforcement for their successes immediately and continuously.

10) Build the Police Training Academy and National Headquarters on Eastern Main Road Laventille. Move the Army base from Long Circular Road and put it in Morvant. This will create a different temperament in the communities and give the majority of people living there comfort and security against gang violence.

Of course there are much more things that can and should be done and we can discuss them all with a view to implementation. Ideas like the 2nd Chance Foundation put forward by the Jericho Project for petty criminals and juveniles, Gang intervention with a view to separation and dismantling, night school and job training for adults to make them employable, national internship programmes and other initiatives are available and should all be adopted.

We need to turn away from the arms race of 'hunt down and shoot' or 'corner and lock up' mentality that is getting us nowhere and is only making matters worse. The police service needs to be given the highest support including psychological counseling for the men and women on the front lines, extra duty bonuses, incentives for excellence and rewards for performance above the call of duty on a measurable and continuous basis. Community intervention must target the children. After school centers for those who do not have parents to go home to complete with homework supervision and sports and healthy recreation.

This is not something to drop a bomb on but something to diffuse. The sooner we start is the faster we will start reaping rewards. Funny thing is we've been suggesting these same things for years.