San Fernando West MP Faris Al-Rawi has disclosed that police officers handling the recent home invasion of his in-laws conveyed a disheartening truth, that eight out of ten times detained criminals go free because of the unwillingness of witnesses to testify in court.
Speaking to reporters after the opening of the $140 million San Fernando Parkade at Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando on Tuesday, the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government focused his attention on spiralling crime.
Saying the prevention of the entry of arms and ammunition was a pivotal step toward combatting crime effectively, Al-Rawi said the criminals who robbed his in-laws were caught because of CCTV cameras.
“We are seeing detection. As you know my in-laws were victims of crime. People came into their home and held them at gunpoint. The police recovered the items and persons were identified. When I was talking to the police they told me eight out of ten times they would find the criminals but people don’t want to testify,” he revealed.
Asked to clarify whether he was saying 1,600 out of the 2,000 robberies and home invasions that occurred were detected in T&T, Al-Rawi said the figures he provided were not reflective of the entire populace.
He said they came from police investigating his in-law’s robbery and came from that area in Westmoorings. He also refuted any notion that his personal affiliations played a role in the matter. Instead, he attributed the successful resolution to the presence of multiple CCTV cameras in the area, which facilitated rapid identification and license plate tracking.
Drawing attention to the broader issue, Al-Rawi championed the deployment of CCTV cameras, witness protection, and anonymity measures. He criticised the Opposition’s unwavering resistance to parliamentary tools designed to tackle cybercrime, facilitate whistleblowing, and protect witnesses.
“You know that Bail Amendment that we sought where if you have one past charge for the firearm you should prove why you should get bail. That was not accepted. These are tools that make a difference,” Al-Rawi said.
The former Attorney General also commended the Ministry of National Security’s ambitious deployment of CCTV systems and reforms within the municipal police force.
He stressed the need for a responsive court system to ensure timely justice.
“We now go to court virtually. We have fewer matters clogging the courts like vehicle and road traffic and marijuana matters. We have improved in some aspects,” he added.
On the issue of local government reform, Al Rawi noted that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was leading efforts. While some aspects were pending Cabinet consideration, Al-Rawi expressed determination to press forward with reform despite Opposition resistance. He also disclosed the readiness of the PNM party for the upcoming elections in the Lengua/Indian Walk district.
He also stressed the importance of effective management and hiring as essential components of the local government reform initiative.