Mixed views to businessman's rejection of arms race with criminals

THERE were mixed views in response to businessman Derek Chin's objection to calls from the Estate Police Association (EPA) for security guards involved in cash-in transit (CIT) operations to be armed with high-powered weapons to protect themselves against criminals with such firepower.

At a news news conference at the EPA's headquarters in Marabella on August 22, president Deryck Richardson made this call while referring to the murder of security guard Hasely Augustine, 46, of Telecom Security Services Ltd

Augustine and three colleagues were depositing cash at an RBC ATM at DS Plaza at Chin Chin Road in Cunupia at around 11.30 am on August 17 when five gunmen, some with high-powered weapons, ambushed them. Augustine struggled with one of the men, who shot him. The men escaped.

On August 23, Chin, the owner of Telecom Security, downplayed that call.

Reiterating the association's call for private security guards and estate police officers to be allowed to carry more than 25 rounds of ammunition, Richardson said the EPA has written to Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher to discuss this.

He hoped to discuss with her mandatory protocols to let private security guards and estate police officers doing CIT activities use automatic weapons to protect themselves against better-armed criminals. He said estate police officers and security guards are only armed with pistols, revolvers and shotguns.

Chin viewed the EPA's comments as creating a situation where there could be an arms race between criminals and law enforcement agencies.

He suggested implementation of the death penalty and addressing social issues contributing to crime as other strategies which could be pursued instead.

On August 23, Richardson slammed Chin's comments.

"This is reprehensible."

On August 22, Richardson claimed Augustine may have been wearing a defective vest on August 17

He reiterated the EPA's concerns about companies not providing security officers with proper bulletproof vests and poorly armoured vehicles to do their jobs.

Former CoP Gary Griffith said, "I think he (Chin) has some valid points."

But Griffith reminded Chin that the death penalty "is part of our law."

He said, "It is just because of the circumstances it makes it difficult for it to ever be implemented."

Griffith added, "Many persons are arrested and then charged. They remain incarcerated for over five years. They will then use the Pratt and Morgan (judgement) as an avenue to justify life imprisonment rather than the death penalty."

Research globally, he continued, "has not proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the death penalty has proven to be a deterrent for criminal elements not to commit murder."

Griffith, who is also National Transformation Alliance (NTA) political leader, agreed with Chin that it is not a case of continuing to fight fire with fire or escalate the firearm capability of law enforcement agencies.

He said, "The Government has proven to be totally incompetent in dealing with illegal firearms."

Griffith recalled that while he was CoP, out of 4,500 people who were issued legal firearms, half were law enforcement officials.

"Not one of these people have been arrested as it pertains to bribery or corruption for acquiring firearms during my period, since I left as CoP."

He reiterated his claims that Government is paying more attention to people being legally issued firearms instead of illegal firearms entering TT.

Griffith claimed, "The Government continues to influence the police to turn in the wrong direction."

He reiterated that illegal firearms "have contributed to 100 per cent of murders committed by firearms in the last year."

Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce president Kiran Singh was not surprised by the EPA's call.

But he said, "While it is necessary for guards to be armed, we must be mindful of the responsibility that is placed in the hands of anyone carrying these weapons."

Singh added there have been incidents of murder/suicides with legal firearms and a lack of training in the use of these guns.

He agreed with Chin about implementing the death penalty.

"Laws need to be more strictly enforced. The death penalty, the harshest weapon we have against criminals must be enforced forthwith."

Singh said there must be some level of expediency and urgency in treating with all criminal matters, especially the ones involving death sentencing.

"High powered weapons will not solve the problem of robberies and murders as any weapons expert will readily admit that when faced with multiple arm wielding bandits, you don't stand a chance of survival."

In a statement, Confederation of Regional Business Chambers coordinator Jai Leladarsingh described Chin's comments as a possible roadmap for the uncertain years ahead.

"We were all a part of some extraordinary policies that brought on the country a train wreck of failures that led us to where we are now."

Leladarsingh suggested inclusive governance as the best starting point to deal with issues like crime.

"Such a step will serve to press the reset button and over time build trust."

He added, "The murder levels just tell us that those who are entrusted to protect us have failed us."