Gangsters must know the Government is serious in the war against crime. That firm declaration comes from Subhas Panday, Minister in the Ministry of National Security, who this week became the face of the Government's tough resolve against crime. Pointing to the stiff fines and lengthy jail sentences proposed in a package of legislation, Panday stressed: "We are sending a message to the criminals that we will deal head-on with them." The proposed laws include rigid penalties for gangsters, corrupt policemen, people who harbour criminals or recruit youths into illegal activities.
Rapists, illegal firearm owners and other hardened criminals are in for long stints behind bars if the Panday-proposed legislation passes the parliamentary hurdle. Some are already beginning to refer to the planed measures as "badjohn legislation." "We are prepared to compromise and amend on the floor of Parliament," the minister said. "But crime affects all of us and we expect co-operation from the Opposition." He attributed the decline in holiday hotel occupancy in Tobago to fear of crime by prospective visitors.
"We hope everyone would be on board," he said, in reference to the parliamentary Opposition. Aspects of the bills were cherry-picked from legislations in Canada, Cayman Islands, Belize, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Asked about the likely criticism of incursions against human rights in the bills, he said the Government would confront that matter if it arises. "We are determined to win the fight against crime," he stressed. "We promised the people that...and they expect no less from us." (KA)