Are COP Erla Harewood-Christopher, and PM Rowley for real?

COP Erla Harewood-Christopher

This week, the COP was proud of the fact that, with 392 murders to date, there was a 0% change in our murder rate between this year and last, as if that were something to celebrate.

Did she forget that 2022 was the bloodiest year in TTs history, with 55 more murders than the previous highest? (Previous highest was 2008 with 550 murders)

Does she expect accolades?

When one looks at the trends of 2022 and 2021, one sees the period of September to December recording 219 and 200 murders respectively.

With the bloodthirsty nature of criminals under this PNM administration, we see no indication that this will not be the case for 2023. We are well on track to surpass 600 once more.

No amount of COP Christopher’s delusional statements will change hard facts.

A few months ago Harewood-Christoper said there would be a decrease in crime by June, but today she celebrates, together with Rowley presumably, a 0% increase. Is this what Rowley celebrates in his Independence address, as light at the end of the tunnel?

Meanwhile our borders remain porous, guns are coming in manos manos, port scanners are not fully operational, we have claims by the US State Department of extra-judicial killings and our front-line police are not properly equipped with body cams to exonerate the good cops from bad ones, CCTVs remain a promise. Prisoners on Remand for years while their children are left to their own devices – fodder for future gangs, and our Coast Guard vessels are forever in Staubles Bay instead of patrolling our borders 24/7.

This unacceptable statistic is a clear reflection of the insurmountable failures of those in leadership positions, and this PNM administration whose duty is to ensure that our National Security and other crime reducing strategies are in place and functioning effectively. It is not the fault of hard working but demoralized police officers. It is the duty of the Government to provide the environment to reduce crime. You cannot have masses of unemployed youth and expect that the devil will not find work for idle hands.

It is high class doltishness and manifest third world logic to celebrate the fact that murders are committed at the same rate as our bloodiest year.

Our young men are dropping out of school. Many are in prison. Too many are unemployed.
All see despicable and inexplicable demonstrations of wealth by the undeserving few – many with close ties to the PNM. Many have given up hope for a better life. Misguided youth line up to join gangs where camaraderie, fame and quick fortune beckon.

For them it is to get rich quick or die trying.

Those who can migrate. Those who cannot appear trapped in self imposed prisons and increasingly disconnected from society.

Belatedly we propose educating migrant children which could, if properly handled, be a model for making us a truly bi-lingual CARICOM state. It can open up windows to
increased trade with South and Latin America. As usual stakeholders are not involved, teachers are in the dark, no forward planning is in place and this excellent idea seems doomed to fail in the hands of a clueless MOE.

Where is the light at the end of the tunnel Dr Rowley?