The government has no plans to declare a state of emergency in reaction to the rise in crime, particularly killings in Trinidad and Tobago, according to National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds. He also rejected requests that he come up with a crime plan, stating that was not his responsibility.
To address the spike in house invasions and killings, there have been repeated calls in recent days for the declaration of a state of emergency.
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However, addressing the media at the official opening of the Committee for the Repatriation of Nationals from Overseas’ headquarters, Hinds mentioned that an SOE was put in place in the year 2011.
He continued by saying that it was later discovered that Dwayne Gibbs, the police commissioner at the time, was not aware that dealing with crime and criminality, which was his primary responsibility, would have required declaring a state of emergency.
Hinds noted, “That would not happen with us. We are far more astute and far more respectful of our roles and responsibilities. So, to ask me whether I would establish or cause to be established a state of emergency is a little bit far-flung and outside of my remit. “We would take our timing from law enforcement on matters of that nature.”
The National Security Minister answered inquiries concerning his creation of a crime strategy as well.
He asserted that no criminal strategy is produced or created by a government ministry.
“That is a matter for the police commissioner, that is a matter for the Defence Force that supports the police in dealing with these issues. I’ve always said I know exactly what my responsibilities as a minister of Government are, and it does not include me creating any crime plan.”
“So, when I hear, particularly some, purported to know better even in the Parliament calling on me to create a crime plan, I wonder,” Hinds noted.
The Minister noted that if he had a strategy to counteract the crime plan, he would have arrested everyone who was saying “a lot of nonsense,” starting with members of the opposition. “I’m aware that the police have plans and strategies along with the Defence Force, which they are operating.”
“My job is to provide them with the policy directions of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, through the Government, and to ensure that they understand these policies particularly clearly.
Hinds added, “In addition, my job involves providing all of the resources that they need in order to carry out their respective mandates, and that we do in accordance with our budgetary allocations and certainly in accordance with what the Government of Trinidad and Tobago could afford at any particular point in time.”
https://a157f70e20b8aed270bab6542a1854bd.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html Additionally, the National Security Minister rejected calls for a gun amnesty. “I think not, for me personally. But again, that wouldn’t be my individual call. I’m just one member of the Government, and again, these kinds of things are usually done on the advice of the police commissioner.”
