CRIME – WHY WORSE MAY BE AHEAD

DESPERADOES is the most acclaimed steelband in the world, with great performances at famed concert halls, a record 12 Panorama titles and various other honours. 

Since its birth in 1945 at Rose Hill, as one of the first-ever steelbands, Despers has been a source of boundless pride and joy to the Laventille community. 

When crime became rampant in Laventille, the authorities – instead of fixing the problem – gave Despers a new home at the site of an abandoned government building at Tragarete Road, Port of Spain. 

Next, the government built a $15 million pan theatre at Nelson Street for the renowned and versatile steelband. 

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley saw the new home as a project toward economic diversification and Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell touted it as giving tourists “a chance to immerse themselves deeply into the history of the steelpan.”  

Just then, the developed world warned citizens against visiting Port of Spain, especially at night, which is when cultural events typically take place. 

By the government’s reasoning, Despers should be relocated again to a safe venue, assuming there is such a place. 

When a war-like shooting barrage took place a few days ago near to Rose Hill R.C. School, a knee-jerk reaction was to move students to St. Dominic’s Home at Belmont. 

This is characteristic of the government’s response to the epidemic of crime, which has statistically turned our paradise nation into the most murderous small state in the world. 

Instead of determined efforts to staunch the crime factory, the authorities continue to focus solely on the wretched effects of the scourge, repeatedly implementing failed measures. 

Rose Hill, by the way, is close to the capital city, police operations and media houses. 

The much-hyped anti-gang and other crime-fighting laws – remember Faris al Rawi’s dramatics in Parliament? – have fallen flat. 

Smuggling of guns, drugs and illegal migrants (human trafficking is a crisis of its own!) remain flourishing industries in a land with only token coastal patrols and border protection. 

Surely, driftless inner-city youths are not importing the high-powered guns they use to bomb away law-abiding businessmen and harmless grannies. 

Police intelligence is an oxymoron since the lawmen can’t seem to determine how sophisticated weapons land in the hands of trigger-happy teenagers. 

There have been no measures at improving family life in hot spots, assigning specially trained teachers, offering alternative vocational instruction, providing cultural and sporting boosts to depressed communities. 

Recommendations by experts for compulsory national service have been ignored. 

The crime detection rate is in single digits, and when cases eventually get to courts, the judiciary takes forever to dispense justice. 

The Youth Training Centre is still a criminal breeding ground, while phones remain a trading commodity behind bars. 

The Selwyn Ryan Committee, which comprised respected professionals, said some soca, dancehall and hip-hop music were closely linked to “violent behaviour” and chutney promotes alcoholism. 

Since then, fetes – many bearing provocative titles – have become crime hotbeds.  

The independence of Police Service Commission has been ruined, with Cabinet getting first sight of confidential documents. 

The weak management of the police service is a joke compared to the feeble national leadership, barren of any ideas to spare the country from further bloodshed and with clueless bosses who enjoy no national respect. 

The latest burst of brilliance is to place $80 million worth of security cameras, which bandits wearing masks could shoot away with their sophisticated guns and speed off in stolen vehicles to unpatrolled dumping zones. 

Criminologist Darius Figuera calls it “merely political measures against public discontent over runaway crime.” 

On top of that, there is an absence of empathy from elected officials for a besieged nation or sensitivity for the terrified loved ones of victims. 

Rowley speaks of the national emergency only during the campaign stomp for the PNM executive election, and even then he frames the discussion in the context of partisan politics. 

There are no efforts to mobilise the nation with decisive action and creative solutions to this crime curse. 

The nation is left to bury its dead and mourn in silence. 

And yet, in the current worsening circumstances, worse may be ahead.