raphael.lall@guardian.co.tt
The Sunday Guardian spoke to citizens on the streets of Port-of-Spain yesterday about their feelings on the frightening surge in the crime rate and the perception that the Government is not addressing the problem in a meaningful way as the homicide rate has already reached 521 for the year so far.
UNC MP for Barataria/San Juan Saddam Hosein said he had filed a motion under Standing Order 17 in the House of Representatives to raise the issue of the “outrageous crime situation” and that Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George argued that the matter was not serious enough to be debated during Friday’s sitting.
Expressing displeasure with the decision, Hosein said, “While young students are hiding under their desks in schools from near rapid gunfire, persons being robbed and gunned down in broad daylight, the Government refuses to discuss the issue of crime.”
The question:
Do you feel safe? Do you agree with the Speaker’s decision in the Parliament on Friday not to allow Hosein’s motion for an urgent parliamentary debate on violent crime?
Ryan Matthews, student, Morvant:
I live in Morvant and I hear gunshots frequently in Paradise Heights. Of course, I don’t feel safe. Saddam Hosein did what he had to do. I think any motive to decrease crime should be a top priority. Regardless of what, our safety in this country is more important than anything else and those in Parliament should take the issue seriously.
Debrah Turner, self-employed, Sea Lots:
I don’t feel safe as the Government isn’t doing enough to protect citizens. There isn’t enough going on to assist ordinary people. I thought that the Speaker of the House should have allowed the UNC MP to speak on the crime issue. We really need solutions.
Clifton Simpson, trade unionist, Morvant:
I don’t feel safe from a working-class perspective. I know neighbours and family members have to go out in the morning, they’re always affected. Shootings are taking place indiscriminately in Port-of-Spain now and even innocent people can get killed. The Government is not cognisant of those realities. Certainly, the UNC MP should have been allowed to debate that motion. Mr Fitzgerald Hinds is out of touch and should resign.
Avis Fromas, retail operation, San Juan:
I don’t move about too much and what I know about the crime as I see it on the news. I know the crime rate is really bad. Since they got rid of former police commissioner Gary Griffith the crime rate has risen. We need a new leader of the Police Service. The Speaker of the House could ignore that MP because the leaders don’t care as they have their bodyguards. I am not sure they want to act on it. I think it’s all politics.
Kathleen Samuel, retired, Port-of-Spain:
I am not fearful as these are the end times. But I think much more can be done where crime is concerned. The Government could do much more. On Friday, the Government stifled the Opposition. Every issue the next side has brought to benefit the country the Speaker of the House has shot down.
Ameer Mohammed, unemployed, Port-of-Spain:
I don’t feel safe. I go to church and my safety is Jesus. The crime situation is getting worse. They should have allowed the MP to talk about crime given the seriousness of the situation. It’s obvious that the Government is not doing enough. These politicians cannot solve the crime situation. They must teach values to young people.
Gerado Jackson, technician, Marabella:
I don’t feel safe. Proper leadership is needed in the country. The problem starts from on top with the leaders. Ordinary people are looking for hope, and we are not getting this hope. The Speakers of the House should be allowing them to debate crime. We live here and know this is a real problem. You can’t go to the mall or a movie, you feel unsafe, and it’s crime all over. I think the Minister of National Security has to resign.
Gillian Jacob, nail technician, Diego Martin:
I am not feeling safe. First of all, we must understand what goes on in Parliament. There is an agenda for the day. However, some things can take precedence over other things and I think everyone is aware of the crime situation. I don’t think she meant it in the wrong way, or it’s not important. It’s just that the schedule for the day didn’t allow it. At the same time, the Government as well as the Opposition must do more to relieve the country of this terrible crime situation.