Kamla accuses PNM of 'loafing' on crime

OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has accused the government of "loafing", being shameless by presenting no solutions to crime, and blaming citizens.

In a statement on Friday, Persad-Bissessar admitted the opposition and other stakeholders have roles to play in fighting crime. But she added, "It is the government who must lead this charge as they are in total control of state resources and the protective arms."

According to Persad-Bissessar, "It is pathetic that a government that claimed it had all the solutions to the nation’s problems is now admitting failure."

After rejecting anti-gang and bail amendment legislation as legislative measures which could help in reducing crime, Persad-Bissessar claimed, "The government has thrown its hands in the air and has resorted to begging citizens to do the job of the government and fix crime."

She said government must present "a holistic plan that includes legislative and non-legislative measures to bring crime under control." The Senate is set to continue debate on the Anti-Gang Bill 2021 when it sits from 1.30 pm at the Red House on Tuesday. When he opened debate on the bill last Tuesday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said anti-gang legislation has been working. He said in 2018, Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith indicated there were 211 criminal gangs with 2,400 members. But by 2020, Al-Rawi continued, “The CoP was able to demonstrate a drop of 211 gangs to 129, that’s a 39 per cent drop in gangs.”

Over the same period, Al-Rawi said the number of gang members fell from 2,400 to 1,014. “That’s a 58 per cent drop in gang membership.” Al-Rawi said Griffith indicated that gangs dissolved themselves because of the “constant police suppression activities” which anti-gang legislation covers. He also said in 2018, 22 gang-related murders were solved, with 22 arrests. “In 2019, 13 gang-related murders were solved with ten arrests. In 2020, five were solved with 13 arrests.” Griffith, Al-Rawi continued, has indicated that “gang leaders have been charged and are before the courts. Gangs have been disrupted.”

He added that Griffith has “just reported to the country, the lowest statistics for crimes in 20 years.” The bill's legislative predecessor, the Anti-Gang Bill 2020 failed to pass in the House of Representatives last November, when the Opposition refused to support it. Both bills require a special majority for passage in the House and the Senate.