MP Calls for Urgent Action as Extortion Spreads to Pointe-a-Pierre

As the Member of Parliament for Pointe a Pierre I am disturbed, angered and truly bewildered by the prevailing silence, wilful inaction and evident lack of concern by the two Ministers of National Security as well as those in authority as acts of extortion against innocent, decent, hard-working citizens continue to spread like a wildfire throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

These island-wide acts of terror have now spread to my constituency of Pointe a Pierre as one family in Pranz Gardens is now living in perilous fear due to recent attacks and further threats of destroying their home as well as mini-mart if they do not pay over two hundred thousand dollars. In Phoenix Park, owners of another business establishment have also been issued life endangering threats.

It is beyond reason that the authorities have failed to implement a single innovative unit, new measure, new plan, or dedicated resources to rooting out extortion as members of the business community, chambers and Opposition MPs have all been pleading on behalf of fearful citizens for more than a year. How can those in authority be so non-reactive and non-proactive when extortion has been on the front pages more than once for this year?

Two Ministers of National Security, an entire National Security Council and senior members who this government gave their unwavering support to deal with crime have all retreated, abandoned and are allowing criminal elements to reign terror on community after community through their lack of action.

As I endorse the Leader of the Opposition’s call to return the Community Comfort Patrols and Stand Your Ground Laws, I call on the Commissioner of Police to take forceful, strategic and potent action as this cannot be business as usual. If there is no effective action, extortion will become a cancer without a cure doing irreparable damage to our country.

I am calling for immediate Police intervention within all communities of Pointe a Pierre to prevent any further acts of extortion and rampant criminality which continues to increase in other forms such as the murder of bank employee Giselle Peters. This cannot be business as usual.