Tag: TESSE WILSON

Why we are struggling in crime war

THE EDITOR: As a nation we are struggling to collectively and effectively tackle crime because it’s often used as a political football by some folks in the two main political parties.

It is time for us to move past the politics which tends to hinder us from seeing the pain and distress suffered by victims and their families.

As citizens we need to put aside political differences and, with a united voice, call on the authorities to perform their duties without fear or favour so that the perpetrators of crime are brought to swift justice.

The lawbreaker is responsible for his or her actions.

Crime concerns all of us. We must not turn a blind eye to any form of injustice, especially the abuse or neglect of children and the elderly.

To successfully reduce crime we need the right resources for law enforcement, proactive policing, an effective and ethical judicial system, public co-operation, prison reform and rehabilitation. Furthermore, we must also address issues relating to homes and communities as those are the places where character is shaped and moulded.

TT, let us be a God-fearing nation with respect for law and order, and also the sanctity of life.

TESSE WILSON

Marabella

‘Doh lose hope, Trinbago’

THE EDITOR: As we commemorate another year as an independent nation let us not lose heart and hope. “Doh lose hope, Trinbago.”

Let us keep the dream of a stronger TT alive. Let us continue to pray and work together to build a better nation for every creed and race.

Let us endeavour to have a country where the ID card is more important than the party card and political affiliations.

Let us strive to be a nation where our sense of national pride is not limited to the successes of our sports men and women. We should always celebrate our uniqueness as a people and be proud of our dialect, our food, our culture and rich heritage.

Let us take pride in our natural resources by keeping our beaches and rivers clean. Fellow citizens who dump rubbish in our water courses, please stop this illegal and irresponsible behaviour. Yuh cud do better.

Let us demonstrate an appreciation for local goods and services, by supporting our farmers and by extension other reputable small businesses.

We have made many strides as a nation, but we have suffered and presently we are still suffering heavy losses due to corruption and crime.

Let us continue to demand integrity from our public officials and hold them to account when necessary. The working class must not bear the economic and social burden of corruption and poor governance.

Over the years the government has asked us to tighten our belts, in the same vein many citizens are calling on the government to “pull up their socks.” Our politicians must seek to become better statesmen and women.

As a people let us try to have respectful and meaningful dialogue with elected officials and all who hold high office.

We are thankful to all our hard-working public servants. However, there is room for improvement within the public sector. Many citizens still dread going to some state offices to conduct business because customer service is sometimes very poor.

As a people we should all want a public service that is productive, professional, efficient, well paid and polite. Likewise, the public must exercise reasonable patience, show respect and be disciplined when interacting with public officers.

The private sector is an integral part of our society. We are grateful for their contributions. Nevertheless, private companies which have not adopted “people first” business philosophy should do so. This will go hand in hand with their objective to maximise profit. There are too many complaints about unfair treatment and unethical practices from persons employed within the private sector.

One hand cyah clap. For a nation to be strong it needs an industrious workforce. Our trade unions continue to persist in their demands for a fair day’s wage for us the working class. In turn we the working class must give a fair day’s work. Let us remember our national watch words: discipline, tolerance and production.

Trinbago, a few bad apples have not spoiled the whole bunch. I salute all our diligent, God-fearing, and law-abiding citizens. Let us continue to fight against all the ills plaguing our land.

We cannot bring back the old-time days, but we can practise some of the old-time ways. Let us look out for each other TT. A family that prays together stays together.

Things hard, crime real bad, but Trinbago, yuh still nice, yuh is still ah paradise in so many ways.

TESSE WILSON

Marabella

Let us stand against crime, lawlessness

THE EDITOR: Crime has touched every heart and affected many homes in TT. We have heard the names, seen the faces, the bloody images on social and mainstream media. The pain and heartache of families whose loved ones were murdered. Violent scenes in homes, schools, villages and towns.

Some of us have cried with, felt the grief, anger and frustration of, victims. Most of us do our best to take the necessary precautions. Many people live under a self-imposed curfew in certain areas in this nation.

All types of crime must be viewed as a very critical matter. The State should be proactive. It must stop reacting to surges of violent crime and address the issue of lawlessness. Law-abiding citizens want less talk of policy and plans. We are demanding implementation, enforcement of the law, more police visibility and affirmative action.

The Government must ensure that it meets its moral obligation and primary responsibility of maintaining law and order. This responsibility should be met by providing the necessary resources for law enforcement and an effective crime-reduction strategy with emphasis on deterrence, detection, conviction, effective rehabilitation, prison reform and victim assistance.

Although some criminologists have linked a life of crime to poverty, poor parenting, peer pressure and other social issues, it does not take away the personal responsibility of the perpetrator for the choices he or she has made. They are as guilty as the ones who see crime as the easy way to have a glamorous life.

We can be emphatic to a person’s unfortunate experiences. However, we must not deal with the perpetrators of violent crimes with kid gloves.

While the State must do its part by providing social resources, parents and guardians have a duty to raise children who are civic-minded. Reports of child abuse must be investigated thoroughly, and offenders prosecuted.

A study of the social and economic impact of crime must find its way on our primary and secondary school curriculum.

A collaborated and consistent effort is required not only against lawlessness, but also against our complacency and passiveness to avoid more communities being labelled a crime hotspot.

As a society we must continue the conversation about crime. Let us find ways to engender the spirit of national pride, a willingness to fight corruption on all levels, develop a culture of caring, build compassionate families, show reverence for God, create a courageous, professional and proactive police force which has the public’s confidence.

Side by side, let us stand against crime and lawlessness in our land.

TESSE WILSON

Marabella