Boorish, sexist, callous and unsympathetic responses to complaints sum up the way the public generally feels treated when they approach our state institutions. A few examples might show how widespread it is. At a recent community crime meeting in Warrenville hosted by the TTPS, residents from Cunupia and Warrenville spoke …
Read More »Dear Editor: Here’s why communities protest police killings more than murders
“[…] Police officers represent the state and are entrusted with the responsibility to protect and serve the community. When a citizen is killed by the police, it can be perceived as an abuse of power, eroding trust between the authorities and the public. “Protests can serve as a way for …
Read More »Daly Bread: Is T&T’s National Security Council part of the solution, or the problem?
The Roman Emperor, Nero, is said to have fiddled while Rome burned. His alleged conduct passed into common parlance to mean “not dealing with a difficult or dangerous situation but instead doing useless things or pretending nothing is wrong”. In our current situation, fiddling with runaway violent crime includes the …
Read More »End of an era: How Police FC and Hood parted ways, after change at top and discord from bottom
For the first time in 11 years, coach Richard Hood played no role in Police FC’s match day plans over the past week as the Lawmen came from behind to hold Point Fortin Civic 1-1 at the Police Barracks in St James, before thumping San Juan Jabloteh 5-2 on Sunday …
Read More »Noble: Gazing in the mirror—will T&T move forward in faith, or face danse macabre?
All nations tell stories about themselves. These narratives tell us where we came from, who we are and where we want to go. Consequently, they change as the storytellers provide contesting viewpoints. The thread is twisted by grief, sentimentality, pride, or shame. Bare facts form only part of the saga …
Read More »Noble: Mayaro is reaping the bitter fruit of T&T’s “success”
“[…] The crime situation is very terrible. Being a parent, I do not believe in condoning wrong things. It’s really sad that these things happening in Mayaro now. Mayaro is coming like a little Laventille…” Mayaro resident. Express, 24 January 2023. The resident was referencing the slaying of three youths …
Read More »Dear Editor: Police work is a “wicked problem”; Dr Rowley should change tack to address crime
“[…] Dr Keith Rowley, police work is what is known as a “wicked problem”. Rittel & Webber (1973) identified the following characteristics of a wicked problem: “[…] The problem has no end point where you can say it is ‘solved’; solutions are not true or false, but better or worse; …
Read More »Daly Bread: Indifference to killing and distress—without realism, honesty and empathy, “talks” will get us nowhere
Put plainly and simply, it is not possible to maintain the socio-economic status quo and at the same time expect to reduce violent crime. That is one reason why the announcement by the Prime Minister that there will be “talks” on crime is not impressive. This announcement was made in …
Read More »Dear Editor: ‘Monkey business’ from politicians and police could turn anyone to crime!
“[…] I want to suggest that the ‘monkeypox’ virus, which seems to have us agog at the moment, originated in Parliament—for decades home to political baboons and chimps in our country. “Whatever the host, whether the strain is/has been PNM, UNC, COP, NAR or ONR, the infected behave the same …
Read More »Foster’s 12 questions: Why’d Venture flag ‘legitimate repayments’? Was loan declared to IC?
“[…] If, as stated in the Express on Monday 23rd May 2022, you ceased being a businessman upon becoming an MP and a minister in August 2020, why were you personally involved in business, business payments and business loans in January 2021? “[…] If this was a legitimate loan, as …
Read More »Daly Bread: Waiting to exhale; what T&T can learn from the UK’s ‘Partygate’
Like the rest of the world, much of Trinidad and Tobago has been holding its breath waiting to resume social interaction—unrestricted by Covid-19 and the public health regulations piled upon us. The North Coast Jazz event at Blanchisseuse this weekend, which culminates in a J’Ouvert, will no doubt openly reveal …
Read More »Daly Bread: Nowhere to turn as Govt and TTPS fail to act meaningfully against violent crime
While in a heightened state of mourning for lost and abused children and murdered women, we had another week of ole talk in a continuing demonstration of the inability of Government and the poorly managed Police Service to take meaningful action against violent crime. Even as Minister of National Security …
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