IDA: Form unit to probe root causes of crime

INNOVATIVE Democratic Alliance (IDA) political leader Dr Denise Tsoiafatt Angus is calling for the establishment of a dedicated unit to investigate the root causes of crime in the country.

Addressing a news conference on July 30 at the party’s headquarters, Wilson Road, Scarborough, Tsoiafatt Angus argued that “true solutions require much more than cosmetic changes.”

In this regard, she slammed the recent appointment of Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland as junior Minister of National Security, saying TT’s crime scourge demanded “deep, systemic reforms.

“Many have sarcastically noted that Keith Scotland is not Scotland Yard, pointing out that this move does little to address the real issues at hand,” Tsoiafatt Angus said.

“The people of TT are not moved by such political manoeuvres. We need substantial action, not another game of musical chairs.”

She believes the solution can be found in communities.

“We need to be talking to the people on the blocks to find out why they are turning to a life of crime. And that is the work I expect this unit to be doing.”

Tsoiafatt Angus asked, “Where is the trained police unit dedicated to gathering and analysing the reason behind crime and tailoring solutions to address it? This has to be put in place urgently.

“It is an exercise in futility with the massive showing of power without any diagnostic or relevant prevention programmes. Deploying police everywhere without understanding why crime is rising is a man-made solution.

“You don’t expect the doctor just to look at you, carry you in the operating room without knowing the diagnostics or properly examining you or else it may be an unnecessary surgery or even resulting in the removal of normal body parts and the problem still exists. What we need is a dedicated unit to investigate the root cause of crime at this time in our country.”

She observed one of the biggest obstacles in the fight against crime is mistrust.

“Our citizens have lost trust in the police due to repeated betrayals, lack of protection and political manipulation. The government must begin thinking about the whole picture and not reacting to a piece of the puzzle. The call for communities to speak up is meaningless without ensuring their safety.”

She said Tobagonians have told the IDA they are tired of political administrations that offer promises on the hustings but deliver nothing afterwards.

“The communities feel manipulated, victimised and abandoned once votes are counted.”

Tsoiafatt Angus said at this time in the country’s history, the government must get to the root causes of crime.

“They youths on the blocks in Tobago tell the IDA they need jobs. They need ways to feed their families and to have a good life They feel the school system has failed them and they are left without hope after empty promises.”

She said while unemployment, inadequate education and system neglect are some of the major issues fuelling the crime epidemic. “getting into that is just part of the process.

“We must investigate why crime is rising and address the root causes comprehensively.”

Tsoiafatt Angus said government needs to embrace the opportunity to partner with communities in a meaningful way and not just expect them to be informants.

“They are way more of an asset than that.”

She said communities have told the IDA that they can do a better job of preventing crime than any government.

“Remember, criminals are not born. They are groomed by their circumstances. They all grew up in communities where the old adage of, It takes a village to raise a child, can be rekindled with the right support to communities.”