Criminals more unified than police

Crime has infiltrated every facet in the society and the criminal network is more coordinated than law enforcement agencies, says president of the Christian Council of TT Reverend Gail Meridin.

She made the comments yesterday while delivering the sermon at the Auxiliary Fire Service World Volunteer Firefighters’ Day Annual Church Service held at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Port of Spain. She commented on the theme of the commemoration Serving Together in Unity and spoke about the unity that exists in the criminal world.

She said crime has become so widespread and the criminal elements work together and have a chain of command. She added the criminal network is a force to be reckoned with.

“This is no small fish work.”

She said in contrast the pockets of crime fighting agents seemed scattered and lacked effectiveness because of a lack of teamwork.

She told the gathering yesterday to be a fire-fighter is dangerous enough but to volunteer to do it is something special. She noted her father was a voluntary fire-fighter in the 1960s.

She said fire-fighting is not a one man job but it takes a team to put out a fire and to work effectively. She told the attendees they can only develop when they know how to work as a team. She encouraged them to stand behind their leaders and lift their hands instead of complaining that they are weak. She said every time a leader is pulled down and they have to be replaced the new person has to start all over.

She said firefighters have to always be prepared and equipped for an emergency. She said she was thankful to stand before great and selfless servants who put their lives at risk for other.

“I salute you.”