Intersection of Crime and Politics

[citizen]

Many people predicted a spike in the violence after the General Elections following a brief respite. Indeed, it was felt that if the PNM were to lose, the mayhem would be much worse. Murders, rapes, armed robberies and kidnappings are now the order of the day once again, and it is business as usual for the criminal element in T&T.

Where is the PM? What does our esteemed Minister of National Security have to say about the escalation in crime, and what is he doing about it? Can the police stem the tide? Why is the arrest and conviction rate abysmally low? These are rhetorical questions that have been asked before. They had no answers then and they have no answers now. We have become immune to crime and accept the status quo.

While the PNM may have won the election, the real losers are the people and at this rate, there will soon be no one left to “like it so.”

[Falcon]

Who are these 'many people'?

They predicted a crime spike because IF PNM WON, they'd say they are soft on crime, they can't police the country, and they are in bed with the criminals.
They predicted a crime spike because IF PNM LOST, they'd say the outgoing government and its supporters were stepping up their waves of crime.

So when does rational thinking ever enter this discussion? Only when we examine the horns of 'many people'. :|

[Solachica]

The PM is going to Uganda.
Lenny Saith wud be acting PM.

[snowbird]

Who are these 'many people'?

They predicted a crime spike because IF PNM WON, they'd say they are soft on crime, they can't police the country, and they are in bed with the criminals.
They predicted a crime spike because IF PNM LOST, they'd say the outgoing government and its supporters were stepping up their waves of crime.

So when does rational thinking ever enter this discussion? Only when we examine the horns of 'many people'. :|

Falcon I was one of those people who felt that once the elections were over Trinidad would see an increase in crime and I'll tell you why.

I have been observing your crime stats. from over here since 2004 (when a family member became a kidnapped victim). What I noticed was that while crime continued to increase, the general population stuck to it's attitude of the two week 'hold yuh head and bawl' then went back to business as usual; to me this sent a message to the criminals that crime was accepted as 'part of the fabric of society', especially when the Minister of Security and the PM would say things like..." Crime is now at an ACCEPTABLE level "; when should crime ever be at 'an acceptable level'?

This society could call upon the criminal sector to 'stop at Carnival' because tourist are in town, and they would; 'stop for the World Series of Cricket' so that T&T does not look bad, and they did; 'stop during Election time' so that the Government would not have the added burden trying to explain away crime daily crimes reported in the media, and the criminal complied too. How was this message sent? By enacting extra police and security, only at that time. The message sent to the criminal..... respect these times, the remainder of the time, the island is yours.

My feeling was, the criminal element who seemed to be so sympathetic to the PNM would have gone on a 'rampage' had their government lost the election; and in the case of the 'petty' criminal (stealing for Xmas money, or Carnival fete and mas money etc.) would have punished the areas who voted against their government, those people would have taken the brunt of this anger.

As to the larger more organized criminal, for them it's back to business, however they probably suffered some monitory loss during their hiatus, so now they have to make up for lost time.

(my opinion)

[Maccogirl]

Gone on a rampage if PNM lost the election so what you call what they doing now?? What kind of criminals are this that go into hiding to ensure that the PNM wins a election then come out with a vengeance once the election is over seems to me like the government make a pact with them telling them once election is done and we win, is business as usual fellas just carry on, we will check you in 5 again.

[snowbird]

Gone on a rampage if PNM lost the election so what you call what they doing now?? What kind of criminals are this that go into hiding to ensure that the PNM wins a election then come out with a vengeance once the election is over seems to me like the government make a pact with them telling them once election is done and we win, is business as usual fellas just carry on, we will check you in 5 again.


Well then how do you explain the lull at the times I mentioned.
As to the current rampage, yes it is bad, but my feeling is, it would have been allot worse.

Oh my Lord listen to me, now I'm beginning to think and talk like ah Trini, using degrees of comparison to describe crime :roll:

[trinisuckz]

One has to ponder!- if the current Minister of national security and the Top COp were unsuccessful in dealing with crime over the last 2-5 years, why oh why would a govt put the same individuals back into the same positions knowing very well that they are INcapable of such a JOB ?

And they say that their govt cares??? :roll:

[snowbird]

The question I once asked is, how on earth did the Minister of Security pass the party's performance test prior to the election? I would have thought he would be the first to get the boot.

[trinisuckz]

The question I once asked is, how on earth did the Minister of Security pass the party's performance test prior to the election? I would have thought he would be the first to get the boot.

We talking about the pnm here- so it no surprise eh! you certainly dont have to be intelligent to be in this govt- you just have to be able to take orders from the top without questioning! :roll:

[Scorpio]

^^^ allyuh forgetting, this is a man who once gave National Security to Howard Chin Lee of all ppl !

[deathwinger]

PNM...we stepping up with you.

[rivers]

I just hope when the chicken come home to roost in you all houses, I hope you all will stop the celebrating

[peanut]

Rivers, the chickens are already at everyone's door steps ... except for the Gov't Ministers with their Security details, but always remember JFK had the FBI and CIA and yuh see what happen to he?

[citizen]

PM: Crime wave political
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,68858.html
Thursday, November 29 2007

Prime Minister Patrick Manning who returned yesterday from Uganda said he found it strange that there has been such a surge in the crime rate immediately after the PNM won an election.
While not elaborating, Manning appeared to be suggesting that the crime wave was politically motivated. “While I was away I was not unaware of what was taking place with respect to crime and found the timing very interesting.”
Manning said that the new Government would establish a new national security council to deal with the situation.
With reference to the opening of Parliament he said this would take place as soon as possible.
He said that his return to Trinidad had been delayed by the unavailability of flights and he said that nine days was spent travelling to and from the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government conference which he attended in Uganda.
Trinidad and Tobago is to host the next Commonwealth meeting in 2009.
__________________________________________________ ____________

Why does the PM continue to subject the citizenry of T&T to this diatribe? And more importantly, why does the citizenry put up with it?

[halo]

PM: Crime wave political
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,68858.html
Thursday, November 29 2007

Prime Minister Patrick Manning who returned yesterday from Uganda said he found it strange that there has been such a surge in the crime rate immediately after the PNM won an election.
While not elaborating, Manning appeared to be suggesting that the crime wave was politically motivated. “While I was away I was not unaware of what was taking place with respect to crime and found the timing very interesting.”
Manning said that the new Government would establish a new national security council to deal with the situation.
With reference to the opening of Parliament he said this would take place as soon as possible.
He said that his return to Trinidad had been delayed by the unavailability of flights and he said that nine days was spent travelling to and from the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government conference which he attended in Uganda.
Trinidad and Tobago is to host the next Commonwealth meeting in 2009.
__________________________________________________ ____________

Why does the PM continue to subject the citizenry of T&T to this diatribe? And more importantly, why does the citizenry put up with it?

Well the only politicians to have met with "community leaders" were those from the PNM. So if he is suggesting that the crime wave is politically motivated then he is indirectly admitting responsibility.

Or maybe is the opposition fault? :roll: