In the event of celebrating the resurrection of Christ, the commemoration of what should be a holy weekend took a bloody spin on the twin island of Trinidad and Tobago. In a recent statement, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the leader of the opposition, demanded the dismissal of Fitzgerald Hinds, the Minister of National Security, in response to the string of murders that occurred during the long Easter weekend. She argued that the minister had let the people down for the past two years.
She noted in a recent release, “Keith Rowley must do the right thing for our citizens and remove him from office.”
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She highlighted the Minister’s “failure” of protecting the nation from crime by stating, “In the wake of an unholy weekend of murders, home invasions, robberies, and disorder, it is abundantly clear Fitzgerald Hinds has failed as Minister of National Security and must be removed from office.”
According to Persad-Bissessar, Hinds governed over the deadliest January that she could ever recall, and at that point, she had pressed Rowley to get rid of him. Her call went unheeded.
The number of murders has increased to 164 in less than three months. She asserted that since Hinds was named security minister, 1,134 people had been murdered.
“This past weekend, which was supposed to be one of peaceful prayer and reflection by members of the Christian faith celebrating Easter, was marred by criminals brutalizing and traumatizing families in Cumuto, Mausica, Aranguez, and Cunupia.
“Under Hinds’ watch, the crime situation continues to worsen, and not a single idea, plan, policy, or program has been put forward to arrest the problem, apart from prayers.”
She claimed that due to Hinds’ incapacity, all branches of the ministry are in disarray, with the fire department lacking the tools it needs to fight fires in a harsh dry season, lifeguards still pleading for equipment and facilities, the police lacking the means to apprehend criminals, and the defense force having problems.
She claimed, “Hinds chooses to pontificate at public forums on what he feels are the reasons for the crime crisis, without any evidence or data to support his claims.”
While further adding, “This Government has shown no interest in addressing the root causes of crime and criminality including poverty, inequality and lack of opportunities for young people.”
According to Persad-Bissessar, a UNC government would place a high priority on providing all residents with a safe and secure environment.
Persad-Bissessar shared that her party has already created a strategy to lower crime rates making the nation safe once again, “We have already outlined our plans to restructure the Ministry of National Security into a Ministry of home affairs and a Ministry of Defense. We will also make it easier for law-abiding citizens to obtain tools to protect themselves, such as legal firearms.
“We have a plan, and we have a track record of getting the job done and bringing crime down, and we are ready to get to work.”
