Charles: What about crime as public health emergency?

WITH the murder toll reportedly crossing the 300 mark and with five months left to go in the year, Naparima MP Rodney Charles is demanding answers from Government on measurable results of the $3.4 million regional crime symposium.

He is also calling for tangible solutions to crime after the Prime Minister declared it a public health emergency.

In a release on Monday, Charles predicted the country was on track for 700 murders come the end of the year.

He said this showed clearly that the crime symposium in April was "a colossal waste of time, effort and taxpayer dollars."

He also reminded that it was Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher who said the country could expect a measurable reduction in murders by June.

He said these "non-achievements" come in the wake of murdered 75-year-old pensioner Lutchmin Bickram, who died the day after she was badly beaten and robbed at her home.

"Yet we are being told that home invasions are down."

Charles called on National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds to admit Government has no plans to reduce the murder rate or any of the indices reflecting Trinidad and Tobago's "appalling" crime situation.

"It is now abundantly clear that Harewood-Christopher’s appointment has not made a difference.

"This Government has lost control over criminals and the criminal elements, with increasing attacks against our elderly. Our homes are no longer sanctuaries from crime."

He said the crime plan Harewood-Christopher instituted in April has failed.

Meanwhile, he pointed out, TT is still on the Tier 2 watchlist of the US Trafficking in Persons Report, with a warning that next year, the country may fall to Tier 3.

He reminded of the PNM administration's boast of a ten-point crime plan at the start of its tenure, but said it still has not been able to reduce the murder rate and get the crime epidemic under control.

"They are good at throwing out pie in the sky ideas and expensive regional fetes but we are yet to witness any tangible benefits.

"We were supposed to have an anti-crime action plan from the regional crime symposium, but we have not seen anything to date."

Charles said instead of wasting time and money on useless regional talk shops, Hinds must come with measurable crime-fighting strategies that will improve safety and security.

"We are now being told that we will never know the true cost of the most recent regional fete (the Caricom heads of government meeting) since procurement regulations do not apply."

On Sunday Opposition MP Saddam Hosein said Finance Minister Colm Imbert had signed an order exempting goods and services supplied for the summit from the Public Procurement Act so that its cost would not be made public.

Reiterating the frequent mantra of the Opposition, Charles said Hinds should "do the honourable thing" and resign if he cannot provide or oversee tangible change in the serious crime rate.