The two most immediate developments—basically responses—to Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s silence on the crime situation came within 24 hours of his guarded stance on the matter.
That is, an expected flurry of raids on crime spots, the routine response to crime spikes. And in turn, release of a video purportedly showing “T&T nationals” among Islamic State (ISIS) operations, another story by itself. Rowley responded after Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar called him out on his silence on the spiralling situation—the second time she’s had to do so.
Rowley had remained mum as the murder rate rose after elections, but ordered action when Richard and Grace Wheeler were slaughtered in their Tobago home, the week Rowley visited Tobago.
After further mayhem—not only affecting members of the army and prison services whom the public views as protective units— when Rowley spoke Wednesday, his cryptic comments rather than being seen as discretionary remarks pending action, was cold comfort to those not in the know—locally and internationally—seeking assurance from the top.
The lack of detail is characteristic of PNM’s detached styling. Communication Minister Maxie Cuffie on Thursday referred questions on crime to the Police Commissioner—those in charge of fighting crime.
But while not landing in news might be “good news” to PNM politicians who’d have witnessed the PP’s daily headlining, and searing scrutiny, flipping off the public by being coy or cryptic and handing out well-worn rhetoric about “not buckling” in the face of crime, can hardly provide comfort.
Particularly after the Wheelers’ murder and threats/bullying of US retirees Barbara and Stanley Post, preparing to flee T&T. This, after the T&T Association of Retired Persons complained about the elderly being endangered here.
Expectations were raised when the campaigning PNM correctly pinpointed crime among T&T’s main problems, making certain pronouncements. Prison Officers’ Association head Cerron Richards may have voiced the view of many putting Government on the spot when he noted that, as Opposition, the PNM had “all the answers” but is now charged with managing T&T.
At PNM’s retreat earlier this year to prep candidates for platform speaking, Rowley said the public would want to know what the PNM will do in government after election and questions PNMites would have to answer is “what will the coming of a PNM Government mean” for improvement in the quality of life for all, and how it will change what is there now.”
Rowley added the first area a new government would have to respond to, is crime and security, which all PNM polls had found the majority of citizens were concerned about. It wasn’t revealed to the media how PNMites would answer queries on crime.
Nor did PNM’s manifesto detail its Joint Border Protection Agency—which Finance Minister Colm Imbert said is now being prepared—its Optimal Security Apparatus, Police Management Agency or Police Inspectorate.
Hot spot raids apart, expectation will remain heavy on Government to deal, beyond detachment, and ensure agencies go beyond dragnetting some and get to the root of the newest crime features—beheadings, prison problems, continuation of payback assassinations and spinoff effects among protective services. All heightening the sense that the balance of power lies on certain sides—whether behind bars or not.
It also remains to unfold how continuous job losses will impact on crime.
T&T Chamber chairman Robert Trestrail says the Chamber remains very concerned about T&T’s number one problem. “It’s impacting on the business community, how people view T&T. National security received the biggest Budget allocation. We need to ensure those given the responsibility to take action do the necessary. Crime isn’t a respecter of anything,” he said.
Persad-Bissessar’s comments on the situation were among the few the Opposition has made on national issues since it’s been headlining more for UNC internal elections, campaigning for which intensifies when challenger Roodal Moonilal launches his bid next week.
However, the electorate pronounced on the UNC on September 7. The PNM, on which they gave a different opinion, cannot take that compliment lightly and would be foolhardy to believe blind faith exists. Rowley’s predecessor can confirm, that’s a thing of the past.
