The HOPE party has offered anti-crime steps, which include the proposed recruitment of professional managers to TTPS and the law to include the army as a separate arm of law enforcement.
In a July 17 statement, HOPE leader Timothy Hamel-Smith noted multiple murders, home invasions and extortion.
“The fear is that the gangs and criminals are now in charge and will soon be at our doorsteps, if not already there. The Prime Minister’s statement that a coup was being planned in the SSA has led to further anxiety.” He said the violent crime and lawlessness seen “is the manifestation of anger, resulting from the loss of hope caused by poor policy decisions,” and economic reform and security aren’t two separate agendas but are intimately connected.
Hamel-Smith added, “Government, by its virtual silence and express statements of its ministers, has abdicated the primary responsibility of the State to provide citizens with the fundamental right to life, liberty, security of the person, and enjoyment of property granted by our Constitution. But there is HOPE.”
He cited the following steps:
Criminal justice system
a. Legislation to eliminate up to 75 per cent of the trivial cases lingering in the Magistrate’s Courts to free up the courts, which handle 90 per cent of criminal matters, to deal with more important cases.
b. Upgraded law for illegal possession of firearms and improved law on self-defence, licensing of firearms and short-term amnesty.
c. 24-hour Gun Court. Prosecution of people in possession of unlicenced firearms should be as simple and straightforward as charging drivers for unlicensed motor vehicles. Video/bodycam evidence should be standard. A sentence for possession of an unlicensed firearm should be a minimum of ten years before parole eligibility.
d. Speedy trials with modern case management procedures and hearings by a single judge minus jury.
e. Enhanced prosecutorial system benefitting from a unified digital platform.
f. Introduction of rehabilitation, education, and training programmes in prisons and parole systems encouraging behaviour improvement.
g. All traffic matters assigned to a separate list handled by lay magistrates.
Stopping firearms, drugs flow
a. Lease x-ray scanners for ports, which can scan up to 150 containers per hour.
b. Work with Caricom Impacs, Interpol, and international allies to apprehend trafficking in guns and drugs in T&T waters, utilising radar/drone surveillance and intercept vessels, including shiprider agreements.
c. Decriminalisation of marijuana, accompanied by extensive, long-term drug abuse education.
Law enforcement reform
a. In addition to career advancement from within TTPS, include the ability to recruit professional managers and officers to TTPS’ upper ranks based on merit.
b. Legislation to include the army as a separate law enforcement arm.
c. A tactical police squad to investigate, arrest, and charge offenders with unlicensed firearms.
d. Access to proper electronic databases for DNA and fingerprints. Arrangements can be made for these to be compiled/safeguarded by Interpol.
HOPE suggested overhauling the education system to tailor the curriculum to satisfy vocational aspirations, introduce civics, character, and values education with a community service component, and recreational opportunities, including art, drama and music, vocal and instrumental, of which the steelpan is a vital component.