Opposition Member of Parliament Donna Cox has called on the Government to withdraw the Anti-Gang Bill 2010 because its penalties were "too draconian." Cox was contributing to Wednesday's debate on the legislation in the House of Representatives. It was presented for debate by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. Debate on the legislation, which required a special majority vote to be approved, is expected to resume at 1.30 this afternoon. The bill gives
the police special powers to search and arrest without a warrant. It imposes $.5 million fine and 20 years' imprisonment for certain gang related-criminal offences, including attempting to recruit a member or aiding members (of gangs). Cox, a former minister of state in the National Security Ministry, said while anti-gang legislation was necessary "it must not be draconian." She said moves by the Government to dismantle the Special Anti- Crime Unit of T&T would result in about 50 gang leaders being allowed to walk free from prison. She said Sautt had been involved in the prosecution of "virtually every gang member now in custody."
She added that Sautt had a mandate to deal with gang-related crime. Cox said her fear "was that when we pass this legislation, we will be lulled into a false sense of security." She questioned whether the entire move was one of "purposeful mischief" on the part of the Government. She urged the Government "to withdraw this bill and put in more reasonable and realistic measures since this bill is seriously flawed." She insisted changes must be made for it to be effective. "Justice must be tempered with mercy," Cox said.