Plot to destabilise COP

Dookeran:

Stories by Ria Taitt Political Editor

Source: Trinidad Express

Wednesday, January 30th 2008

Congress of the People leader Winston Dookeran yesterday suggested that criticisms coming from within his own party were attempts by "the other side" to "try to destabilise us as we move to contest the local government elections". (So what he trying to say is that Gary Griffith, Gillian Lucky and Gerald Yetming are on the other side now? Duckanrun look like he losin it now.)

In a statement, Dookeran said: "We know that our success (COrPse eh win ah blasted seat and he bawling sucess? What brand ah weed you smokin hoss?) has shocked many on the other side. Those elements will no doubt try to destabilise us as we move on to contest the local government elections." (Look who talking about destabilising. Isn't this the same jack@$$ who destabilise the opposition and hand the PNM another 5 years in office?)

He also welcomed the "challenge" to the leadership from former candidate and prominent member Gary Griffith who wrote Dookeran recently criticising his leadership style. (This man welcoming a challenge for leadership but leadership of what? Ah dead corpse? Griffith have no shame, he fighting to lead ah dead party.)

On Griffith's assertions that he had set up several parallel groups which were taking instructions from him without any input from the executive, Dookeran said he did not think that "the objective of full participation by a wide cross section of the party membership" should be interpreted as setting up "parallel groups". (Ah boy Duckanrun, take ah little taste of your own medicine now.)

Where all the new politics gone by the way? The way I see it, Dookeran trying to play the blame game and blame UNC-A for the shit he in now and he trying to make comparisons to other parties and say his is the best. Looks like Duckanrun up to the same old poli-tricks he was bashing.

Idiots' (PNM's) Dilema

'Improve water supply or maintain cheap gas?'
Govt's $2b dilemma

Juhel Browne

Source: Trinidad Express

Monday, January 21st 2008

Motorists could find themselves paying more for gasoline and diesel at the pump sometime in the not too distant future but Energy Minister Conrad Enill says they are already doing so out of their taxes anyway.

In an interview yesterday, Enill said the Government was in the early stages of examining the possibility of a reduction in the $2 billion a year State subsidy on gasoline and diesel which is paid for out of the taxes it collects.

He said the Government had no choice but to deliberate the matter given the record high price of oil that was now hovering at around US$90 a barrel. (Pull up dey selectah! You now bawl oil selling at a record high price and you saying that the Government can no longer pay for the subsidy on gasoline and diesel? Conrad Enill even more stupid than he looks! If the oil selling at record high prices, it would stand to reason that the Government was making more money and would therefore be able to subsidise a whole lot more than just fuel. These people take we for idiots or something? All they will be doing is making inflation higher than it already is if they take of the subsidy on transportation fuel. I'm sure you all remembered what happened when the PNM raised the price of transportation fuel. The price of basically all consumer items, including the price of food on the whole, went up, up, up! So what it is the PNM really trying to accomplish by doing this? Make the rich richer and the poor poorer (or dead) perhaps?)

"We are conducting a preliminary examination of the issue in relation to expenditure in other areas of the economy," Enill said.

"A subsidy simply says that instead of the people getting it in increased taxes, they are getting it in reduced fuel. They are paying for it (increased fuel cost)," Enill also said.

Enill's comments followed Trade and Industry Minister Keith Rowley statement in the Parliament last Friday that the time had come for the Government to reconsider the subsidy in light of record high global oil prices as it was buying oil at the international price to keep the State-owned refinery's operating at full capacity. (Ah yes, let the poor man suffer some more. Goverment making billions when they sell oil and gas so let the poor man suffer some more.)

The fuel subsidy has been the sole protection to drivers in Trinidad and Tobago from the negative effects of any fluctuations in the international oil markets.

In Trinidad and Tobago it now costs drivers TT$3 per litre to fill up the tank of a gasoline fuelled vehicle.

In nearby Barbados, the cost of filling up the tank of a gasoline vehicle is BDS$2.30 (TT$7.21) per litre. (Yeah man you keep quoting figures. You ever notice the PNM always quotes figures that make them look good? Why not quote the price of gasoline from a nation that produces oil and gas, eh Enill?)

Enill said the record high oil prices are forcing the Government to make some hard choices regarding the use of subsidies and gave the example of the ambitious restructuring plans for WASA which is projected to cost a total of US$2 billion (TT$12.5 billion).

Prime Minister Patrick Manning had said that his administration "had no option" but to review water rates given the $1 billion annual subsidy the State pays for the supply of water.

"The gas subsidy is now at $2 billion. The government now finds itself having to answer a particular question," Enill said.

"Is the $2 billion a year better provided to water supply for everybody or for cheap gas and continuing the situation where people can travel at a very low cost." (Well considering the fact that the high-density-PNM-supporter zone of Lavantille doesn't pay for water, lights, telephone or rent for that matter. The more logical choice would be to increase water rates, since this would have little or no effect on the PNM heartland.)

He said, however, said the issue was really one of economic policy that was being discussed within the Finance Ministry and he was only speaking from the standpoint of the energy side of the equation.

"Right now, we have an increase in oil prices and, therefore, the increase in oil prices is going to find itself in the finished product.

So the question is not about increases in prices, the question is about the use of the subsidy it is not about price increase. Prices are increasing, so the subsidy is increasing," Enill also said.

Well it seems that the PNM wants the already ready high rate of inflation to rise further and cause poor people in this country to suffer more than they already are. Now the poor PNMites don't have a problem with this because they are accustomed to living in sordid squalor and they have programmes such as CEPEP, URP and the PNM Smart-man Card, which they benefit from. And if these aren't sufficient, there is always some unsuspecting, working class citizen, ready and available to rob due to the lack of T&T having a working Police Service.

Manning gets private guards

So let me get this straight. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj of the UNC-A hires private security for residents of Macaulay who have been hit by an upsurge of crime in recent times and statements coming out of the PNM call it vigilantism. If that is vigilantism then why the hell did Patrick Manning, the "great" leader of the PNM, hire private security for himself? Is he promoting vigilantism in this country? Or is it OK for him to have private security but not OK for poor people to have security?

From his action in hiring private security, Manning has showed us two things.

1. He has no faith in the protective services of Trinidad and Tobago, who are in charge of protecting the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
2. He only cares about the safety of himself and his family and no one else.

When last was the Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, held up at gun-point? When last was their an attempted kidnapping on any one of his immediate family?
Another thing, why is it not called vigilantism when the rich people from places like West Moorings, Valsayn, Goodwood Park and Lange Park hire private security? Is it because they are rich that it's not vigilantism? So I guess this means that poor people shouldn't be given protection then, according to what's being spewed by the PNM.
I say it's high time we get rid of this nasty regime going by the name of the PNM. They don't care about poor people and they only business with filling their pockets.
When you read the article below you will also notice that sources could not even state whether there was a tendering process or not. More corruption again!

Source: T&T Newsday

By NALINEE SEELAL Thursday, January 17 2008

SEVENTY-FIVE specially trained, armed guards who were previously assigned to the Office of the Attorney General, Legal Affairs and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), have been posted to provide security at the Prime Minister’s official residence, Diplomatic Centre, Whitehall and as personal security detail for Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

The security company which employs the guards is Executive Security Services Limited and the cost is borne by the Office of the Prime Minsiter.

The lowest ranking officer in this security company takes home a monthly salary of between $10,000 and $12,000, while the highest rank receives a salary of $25,000 monthly. (They shoulda hire me. Or wait, I forgot, I don't have a PNM party card and my hair is too straight.)

These highly paid officers, some of whom are retired policemen and former MTS guards, have virtually replaced Police Special Branch which previously carried out these duties. (Kickbacks to somebody friend or family who decided to open a security firm.)

The officers are under the direct control of former Special Branch Head, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Mervyn Guiseppi, who previously headed a special security unit set up in 2002 to provide special security for the offices of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the DPP.

These guards are trained in policing, anti-terrorist activities and VIP security.

Sources told Newsday that shortly before Prime Minister Manning moved into the official residence at St Ann’s last December, the officers of the Executive Security Services Limited were told they were being reassigned, some to the Office of the Prime Minister, others to the official residence of the Prime Minister, another batch to the Diplomatic Centre and others to the personal security detail of the Prime Minister. By the time the Prime Minister moved into the official residence in late December, the officers were already on duty.

Newsday learned that a security firm from San Fernando East called Innovative Security Technologies Limited is now responsible for security at the office of the Attorney General, Legal Affairs and the Office of the DPP. (More kickbacks.)

Police sources said yesterday that the role of Special Branch in terms of providing security for the Prime Minister has been decreased and will decrease even further.

Disclosure of special private security around the Prime Minister, comes at a time when there has been criticism of the formation of crime watch community groups assisted by private armed guards. (Just what I was saying.)

Yesterday, Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj who has started using armed guards to patrol and fight crime in his Tabaquite constituency said: “The Prime Minister is concerned only about the personal security of himself and his family and is not concerned about the security of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to have police presence in their communities.

He said that the Government should let the people know about these new security measures. “The fact is that all previous Prime Ministers had the services of the police, army and Special Branch and all of these agencies and manpower were resourced by the State and the taxpayers and the people for greater accountability.”

Sources yesterday could not state whether a tendering process took place before Executive Security secured this contract and what is the value of this contract. (Like I was saying above, they can't even say if there was a tendering process or not. More PNM styled corruption!)

PNM raising water rates after elections!

WATER RISING

PM warns of rate increase and drought possibility

Ria Taitt Political Editor

Source: Trinidad Express

Sunday, January 13th 2008

The nation should brace itself for an increase in water rates and possibly for drought.

This is the word from Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Speaking at a "thank you" meeting at Constantine Park, Tunapuna, on Friday night, Manning stated that his Government, burdened with a huge annual subsidy to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) amounting to $919.5 million, had no option but to "review the water rates" in order to put "an ambitious (restructuring) programme in place".

The Prime Minister gave no indication of the quantum of the proposed increase. But he provided statistics to show that Trinidad and Tobago had "a very, very low water rate". In Germany, the consumer paid US$1.91 per cubic metre of water, in Belgium $1.64, in Finland 69 cents, in France $1.23, in Ireland 63 cents, in Denmark $1.64 and in Trinidad and Tobago-46 cents, he said.

Sources said the Regulated Industries Commission had recommended an increase in water rates about one year ago. But, the sources said, because there had just been an increase in electricity rates only shortly before, the timing was considered inopportune by Government, especially with elections on the horizon. The Government is therefore only now implementing the decision.

The Prime Minister explained that WASA's restructuring programme was estimated to cost some US$2 billion. He added that it was being driven not just by the objective of providing everyone with a water supply 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but was deemed essential because climate changes suggested that Trinidad and Tobago barely missed being hit by a drought in 2008 and could suffer this natural disaster in 2009 and 2010.

"In the run-up to the elections we were fearful that the drought could face us in 2008. It looks like we might have escaped that because the rains continue to fall and the reservoirs are spilling over," he noted.

But the PM stressed Government expected the difficult water situation to continue because of the persistent shift in the rainfall from the catchment areas in the East to the West and was therefore using this year of grace to prepare.

"Even if we are out of the woods in 2008, God alone knows what would happen in 2009 and 2010, he said.

In anticipation of this, he said, Government was concentrating on getting more water from ground sources and from desalination, thereby reducing the country's dependence on surface (rain) water.

He said Government was hoping to increase the production of desalinated water from 27 million gallons to 109 million gallons a day and from ground sources from 70 million gallons a day to 90 million gallons a day.

"If we are able to build the five desalination plants and improve the pipeline system, then Trinidad and Tobago would be able to withstand a drought for three years," Manning said.

To those who recommend that Government should use the windfall profits from the oil sector, to finance WASA's shortfall and its restructuring programme, Manning said: "However many of you may argue that there is a petroleum dividend, however we can argue that we can use money from the energy sector to fund it (the shortfall) and we will do some of that, it is clear that we will have to review the water rates."

UNC Deputy Political Leader Wade Mark said the Opposition was against any increase in water rates especially since Government gave no indication of this plan when it sought a mandate from the people.

"For the Prime Minister to pull from his backpocket such a proposal at a time when the ordinary man is reeling under high prices for basic commodities such as food, when the minimum wage is just $9 a hour, when poverty rates are 30 per cent- never mind the bogus figure of 17 per cent given by the Government-when there is widespread hunger, mendicancy, worsening income inequity, was insensitive, high-handed and heartless," Mark claimed.

The PM stressed that his Government would be concentrating on "customer satisfaction" in this term of office. In this regard, he said, Government would be reviewing the allocation process for housing. "It cannot be that you go to a Member of Parliament and get a house," he said. He added that Government would have to revert to the lottery system, but it would not be done on a private basis. In order to make the system more transparent, there would be a "public display of the lottery system", he said. He did say, however the practice of reserving housing for "special and emergency cases" would be maintained. But he appealed for patience saying: "If you want a house and have not gotten one, don't believe the Member of Parliament is wicked. It is a straight case of demand and supply. And we give you the assurance that the supply would improve". According to sources there are over 110,000 applications for houses to the Housing Development Corporation.

Manning also announced that he had planned to restructure the Prime Minister's office to establish a monitoring and evaluating unit so that all government departments and ministries can be effectively supervised. "If things go off the track, the Prime Minister must know," the PM said. Manning, who said that if a Prime Minister makes an error in selecting his team, he errs in his responsibility, contended that the evidence suggested that he "may have gotten it right".

He concluded by saying that this was the time for members of the Government to work the hardest and that the job was not as glamourous as many thought. "Many of the new members ask me when do I find time to sleep. I say my school principal use to say only pigs sleep for more than six hours...And indeed many ministers are telling you that they are getting by on just four hours sleep a night," he said. Manning, who had earlier presented the members of his Government, said his one regret was that Attorney General Bridgid Annisette-George was unavoidably absent from the meeting. Annisette-George fainted on Friday while addressing the graduation of pupils at St Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain.

Well once again we see true PNM style politricks. Why didn't Manning tell the people he was going to increase water rates if his party was returned to Government? The people of this country should have known what they were getting themselves into when they put their X by the balisier. Although it doesn't really take any sort of rocket science to know that a vote for the PNM is a vote for poverty, high food prices and rampant crime, this piece of information may just have been what those idiot PNMites needed in order to wake up and realise that the PNM is no good for this country.

New unit, vehicles to deal with crime

Source: Trinidad Express
Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com

Monday, January 7th 2008

The Police Service intends to implement a new unit to deal with the spiralling crime rate this year.

Sources say members of the protective services will soon be equipped with a new fleet of vehicles which will come with state-of-the-art global positioning systems and computers.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul, during his weekly press briefings, has vowed to wage war on criminals and has assured citizens that matters implicating police officers will being "thoroughly investigated".

Last Monday, Paul lamented, that "the approach to address this (crime) major societal problem in Trinidad and Tobago has been a single focused one. The Police Service and ultimately the Ministry of National Security is blamed for the state of crime in our country..."

Paul further went on to say "Of all the institutions that are responsible for socially conditioning our young people to be good and productive adults, it seems from this inappropriate analysis, that the Police Service is the culprit....this kind of narrow analysis will not offer the right solutions to our crime problem..."

On January 23, following the slaying of WPC Elizabeth Sutherland, her husband Ivan, daughter Anika and family friend Kevin Surrette, Paul promised an all out war against the criminal elements.

With a promise to bring the attackers to justice, Paul said he considered the murders "personal" and planned "to match the criminals aggressiveness."

Paul further noted his officers would no longer be treating with criminals "with kid's gloves on."

Less than two weeks after declaring war on criminals, Paul was called upon to answer an allegation made by former Caroni Central Member of Parliament Ganga Singh who stated there was a "death squad" in the Police Service. The allegation came after police shot dead four men in Central Trinidad.

Paul dismissed the claim, but noted his officers will continue to treat with criminals the same aggressiveness they met.

Then there is the issue of statistics which is presented at the majority of press conferences held by at Police Administration Headquarters. Several of these figures are flashed to the media and members of the public to show the progress on certain crimes being on a decrease. But as fast as these statistics came showing a decrease, criminals were again busy showing that numbers do lie.

How many times have we heard Trevor Paul talk about new vehicles and new police units to suppress crime? Since last year Trevor Paul has been "waging war" against criminals and yet we have close to 400 murders in 2007 among other serious crimes. How stupid does Trevor Paul think the citizens are? It's like been there and done that with him. Recycle the same ideas every year and just give it a new name. Since the PNM came into power and appointed Howard Chin Lee and then replace him with Martin Joseph they've gone from A to Z with names for different crime plans. Trevor Paul is a total waste as Commissioner of Police. Every year crime gets worse and no one is being held accountable. What is this Vision 2020 really about? More crime, more corruption and more suffering for the citizens? Less accountability, less transparency and less value for money? Well if that is what Vision 2020 is all about under the PNM then I want no part of it. Time to get rid of the PNM and this PNM-like Commissioner of Police!

Jack Warner: Joseph should resign

Source: Trinidad Express 060108

A letter of resignation ought to have accompanied National Security Minister Martin Joseph's admission of failure on crime, UNC Deputy Leader Jack Warner stated yesterday.

"Any Minister who admits to the magnitude of such a failure should have done the honourable thing and resigned," Warner said. But, he added, in the PNM, nobody was held accountable for anything which is "why it is very easy for people to get away with murder under the PNM and why people are rewarded for being non-achievers (under the PNM)".

Told that supporters of Joseph were saying that he was "man" enough to be honest and admit to failure, Warner quipped: "And it takes an even bigger man to resign. His colleagues who are all little boys would of course revel in the fact that he, unlike them, has admitted to failure and has admitted to the limits of his capabilities. Because I tell you the traffic on the roads, the flooding etc, all these things are reasons for us as a nation to be angry," Warner said.

But, the Chaguanas West MP stated that the Prime Minister was the most culpable of all, because he insulted the country when he reappointed Joseph as Minister of National Security. "If any indictment were to fall on anyone, it is (on) the Prime Minister," Warner said, adding that the PM had a duty to ensure during this term of office that "he does not impose on the country the evils of the past".

Warner was also highly critical of the Police Commissioner: "You know what sickens me to the core? In advanced countries where crime is a problem, on the first day of the year, you see images where the police, the government, the security forces are in battle gear fighting crime. You see it in Toronto, in New York, in London. The Commissioner of Police with his men in the hot spots in battle gear. So I would have thought that my Commissioner of Police on New Year's morning would have been with his men in East Port of Spain, in Laventille and Morvant. But no, my Commissioner of Police was dancing away in the night, while seven people were killed. What are you saying to the country which is infested with crime, while you dancing the night away, kissing his wife...while people are being murdered. And that man is given a one-year extension."

He added that the Commissioner was following the PM whose only image to the country on Christmas Day was to recommend the drinking of a bottle of Louis XIV which sells at US$1,000 a bottle to deal with the common cold.

Warner also wanted to know if anyone held "those guys who have come from England" (Scotland Yard detectives) to account. "Has anyone asked them to account for their stewardship? They know the beaches of Maracas and Las Cuevas in the last few years better than I know in the last 30 years? Has he ever asked Stephen Mastrofski to account for the kind of obscene salary he has been receiving for the past three years? How do you judge his success? What are the results?"

In April 2007 Joseph revealed in Parliament that $80.8 million was paid to Mastrofski and Partners over eight years to transform the Police Service.

Warner said the Government was trying "to steal a march" on the Opposition by bringing this motion on crime. "They were also trying to give the illusion of collective responsibility, of consultation and of trying to find a solution. No way we are going to fall for that. Absolutely not! If they want to bring a motion, let them put in it in words, in song or even in sign language, for themselves...Let them go to their Minister of Education, let her word it for them," he said.

Warner held out no hope for Joseph's new crime plan. Noting that this country had had more crime plans than any other nation, he said Canada with a population of 40 million, had 116 murders in 2006.

"So there are lessons to be learnt from Canada, but if you dancing the night away, you have no lessons to learn," he said.

Couldn't have said it better Jack. There is no accountability within the PNM, only corruption and nepotism. It's obvious that Manning doesn't care about this country, otherwise he would not have re-appointed the totally incompetent Martin Joseph as Minister of National Security. If Martin had any cajones he would have sent in his resignation but instead all he does is hold another press conference and talk a pack of garbage for the semi-literate PNM fanatics to gobble up whole-heartedly. Time to get rid of the PNM.

Martin Joseph - WE HAVE FAILED

Now before I get into the article let me just say that this man they call Martin Joseph has a certain knack for stating the obvious. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out Martin. You have been failing now for the past 4 years as Minister of National Security that I believe you have now earned the title "MINISTER OF NATIONAL IN-security". All this time it took you to figure out that you were incompetent costed us around 1000 lives, but I guess it's OK as long as your family is safe and sound right?

Source: Trinidad Express

Joseph admits defeat: to take crime motion to Parliament

Ria Taitt Political Editor

Friday, January 4th 2008

in the hot seat: Martin Joseph yesterday.

Minister of National Security Martin Joseph yesterday admitted that Government's initiatives to arrest gang-related crime have failed.

Faced with public distress over the record number of murders for 2007, Joseph said Government is going to the Parliament on Monday with new measures aimed at "ensuring the safety and security and well-being of everyone in Trinidad and Tobago". (How many times have we heard that before?) He added that Government planned "to debate the issue of crime fully and comprehensively".

Joseph's admission came in the context of Government's failure to achieve the projected 10 per cent reduction in homicides for 2007. Contrary to expectations, statistics provided by the police reported a record murder toll of 388, (notice how they don't even want to admit that the true figure for 2007 is 395!) "the highest number of murders recorded to date" for any one year, Joseph stated. This represents a 5 per cent increase, or 17 more murders over 2006, he said.

The Minister was addressing a news conference at the Ministry of National Security, Abercromby Street, Port of Spain. At first the Minister stated that he would take two questions, but he eventually took five questions. (Is fraid he fraid d media so?)

Joseph said some of the measures Government had put in place to deal specifically with gang-related violence were the Homicides Prevention Working Group, the Homicides Bureau of Investigation, the Repeat Offenders Programme and the Inter-Agency Task Force which was used "as a crime suppression mechanism."

"Clearly it did not work and as a result those measures are being reviewed. And I can assure you that come Monday Government would be in a position to indicate what new measures and what changes are going to be made (to the old measures), to ensure that we do not have a repeat of what occurred in 2007," he said.

Joseph said that the bulk of the homicides in 2007-"I don't have the statistics in front of me"-were gang-rated. (What kind of idiot Minister would come to a press conference dealing specifically with his incompetence and not have the facts or the statistics with him? That is such a lame excuse and would not even be tolerated in a developed country. I guess he has up till 2020 to clean up his act. Any volunteers to be murder victims?)

Joseph's statements come one day after Prime Minister Patrick Manning said he was confident that Government would win the war on crime because it was moving to "completely eradicate" the drug trade (What this next one smoking?), the major source of crime.

Asked whether much of the gang-related violence was fuelled by the fight for government contracts, Joseph said: "I have heard that and the extent to which information has come to our attention that could point to known persons who are involved (in crime), actions are taken. Because we hear that (allegation), but we do not have the evidence to show that persons who are in receipt of government contracts are in fact persons who are directly involved in criminal activities." (More incompetence!)

Joseph said he reported to the Cabinet yesterday morning on the year end situation "which is of great concern to me and undoubtedly of tremendous concern to everyone in the country." (Yuh think?) He added that "Cabinet spent a substantial amount of time discussing the matter". At next Monday's sitting, "Government intends to provide the Parliament and by extension the public with a full understanding of all the measures that are being put in place to address crime; the challenges which we are facing and how we propose the treat with these challenges," Joseph stated.

The Government motion on crime was unexpected since a Supplemental Order paper had already been issued on Government Business, which listed only one motion-one on Tertiary Education. Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh confirmed yesterday there was nothing on the original or Supplemental Order Paper to indicate that Government was planning to debate crime since the only motion listed was one to commend Government on "its far-reaching and visionary Tertiary Education programme". (If the figure didn't go above 386 for 2007, the PNM would have never even bothered with debating crime. Thanks to the media for reporting and doing the research on this one. I think the media has a lot to do with the way people think in this country and if the media had not been highlighting the out of control crime situation in the last month of 2007, I don't believe the PNM Government would have even bothered to take any action. It's only because they are now looking bad that they decide to do something about. What they fail to realise is that 1 murder for the year is too much, it's only when it gets blown totally out of control and people start getting killed like it's going out of style, then the PNM Government decides that crime is a serious issue.) The Opposition, which meets in caucus at Rienzi today, is more than likely going to file a motion on crime.

Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj had tried at the first sitting in December to discuss the issue of crime as an urgent matter of public importance, but it was disallowed. (See my above explanation.)

Asked about the meeting between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and the "community leaders" at Crowne Plaza two years ago, Joseph said he was not privy to any information coming out of that meeting. Told that many of the community leaders had died, Joseph said unfortunately he was not in a position to respond to the specifics relating to some of these individuals but "what I can assure you is that come Monday, we would be in a position to indicate what the Government intends to do. "We will review the measures that we have put in place and the extent to which those measures have not worked and the extent to which we can expect new initiatives being put in place to treat with the unacceptable level (of crime)," he said.

It's obvious he wouldn't have given any explanation for the Crowne Plaza meeting of crime bosses and gang leaders because it would just make him and the PNM look more stupid that they already are.

Look at how much the people of T&T have to suffer before any hint of action is taken. Is this what the PNM and Vision 2020 is all about? If this is so then I think it's time we get rid of this PNM immediately!

VISION 2020?

BAD OMEN

Criminals usher in 2008 by killing 8, wounding 3

Darryl Heeralal dheeralal@trinidadexpress.com

Wednesday, January 2nd 2008

shot at home: Undertakers carry out Richardson's body. He was shot dead by two gunmen who broke down his front door. -Photos: Micheal Bruce

Source: Trinidad Express

GUNMEN have again shot down hopes of a less violent and homicidal 2008, having killed four people and wounding three on New Year's Day yesterday.

The killings of 2007 continued into January 1, with a total eight murders between Old and New Year's Days, in addition to the discovery of the decomposing body of a woman yesterday, who police believe was raped and killed.

Three of the four murders recorded for 2008 were gang related and one man was killed during an argument over a girl.

On Old Year's Day, two of the homicides were gang related. One man was killed for refusing to pay a debt and a witness in a murder case was shot dead.

Of those shot and injured were a 12-year-old boy hit by a stray bullet, a woman whose boyfriend was murdered and a Laventille man.

Aaron Forde was shot around 12.15 a.m. outside his Maraval home. (Story below)

The first to be killed for the year was Damien Charles, 26, who was shot dead around 12.40 a.m. at Production Avenue, Sea Lots.

Police said Charles was a criminal and his murder is believed to have been caused by a fallout over a State-run project in Production Avenue.

His killing was said to be linked to that of Brian Ramnath, who was also killed at Production Avenue four days ago.

Police said a contract was given to a Pioneer Drive resident and criminals from Production Avenue opposed to the move decided to settle the score with murder.

Second on the killers' list was Shervon Lambkin, who was killed in his bed around 3.10 a.m.

Gunmen broke down the bedroom door to Lambkin's Thompson Trace, Never Dirty, Morvant, home and shot him twice.

Police said Lambkin was a known member of a gang in the area and his killing was linked to criminal activity.

Two hours later, Junior Phillip, 18, was shot five times, twice in the head, after a tiff with a man he bumped into while dancing with his girlfriend at a pub.

Marina Smith, 21, Phillip's girlfriend, was shot in the right thigh.

Phillip, nicknamed Luda, who lived at Flemming Street, Longdenville, and Smith went to bring in the new year at the Mystic Pub in Chaguanas.

The killing took place around 5.15 a.m. outside the pub.

Around 8 a.m., a Gasparillo man going to look for a hoe handle in the bush found the decomposing body of a woman of Indian descent. The woman's top was off and her pair of pants were pulled down to below her knees.

Her body was found in a ditch off Holder Trace, which is off Bhagwandeen Trace, Caratal Road, Gasparillo.

Police believe she was raped and killed. Investigators are seeking help to identify her.

At Trou Macaque, Laventille, Andre Richardson, 27, died after a shotgun blast to his head.

He was killed in his apartment in the plannings at around 11.45 a.m.

Two gunmen, one with a pistol and the other with a shotgun, kicked in the front door and murdered Richardson.

Before they killed Richardson, the gunmen beat and robbed an off-duty soldier.

Investigators, including Insps Sahadeo Singh and Michael Modeste, said Richardson was involved in criminal activities. Last year, his brother, Ayo Richardson, was also murdered.

Then around 2 p.m., Akeem Samuel was shot in the head and belly while at his Evans Trace, Block 22, Trou Macaque, home. He was listed in critical condition at the Port of Spain General Hospital last night.

Police believe the same gunmen who murdered Richardson may be the ones who shot Samuel.

On Old Year's Day, the first to be murdered was Mark Wellington, 30, a witness in a murder case.

He died at hospital after being shot.

Then around 8.30 p.m., Sherwin Akres, 28, was killed outside his Petunia Avenue, Morvant, home.

The PH driver was shot several times.

Investigators, including Cpl Vidal, PC Shawn Hoyte and the Homicide Bureau, believe his death was linked to a $10,000 debt he was owing.

Around 11 p.m., Neil Armstrong, 22, was shot dead outside his Tumpuna Villas, Malabar home.

His body was found in a drain.

Armstrong had several pending firearm and robbery related charges and police believe his murder was linked to his involvement in crime.

At Mt D'or, Champs Fleurs, murder suspect Steve Williams, 47, was shot dead around 11.45 p.m.

Williams was shot multiple times while liming at the corners of Oliver Trace and Mt D'or Road and died on arrival at hospital.

Williams's brother, Robert Williams, was shot dead on December 19.

Williams, who was a suspect in a double murder at a bar in Curepe, was questioned by police but released because of a lack of prosecutable evidence.

Their killings, before midnight on Old Year's night, saw the 2007 murder toll ending at a record 395.

DCP Gilbert Reyes had, earlier on Old Year's Day, challenged the media's tally of killings for the year, saying it was then 383. He said the figures may have been inaccurate because some members of the media were including killings which went to inquests or were manslaughter matters. However, an Express count, excluding these kinds of matters, still showed the toll to be 395. (See Pages 6, 7, 9, 10 & 11)

Anyone with information on any of the murders can call 555, Crime Stoppers at 800-8477, the Homicide Bureau at 625-2877, 640-1738, 652-0495 or the nearest police station.

8 murders in 24 hours, a good night's work for the criminals wouldn't you say? It's a new year but it's the same old story. Is this what we have to look forward to in 2020? For that matter, how many of us will still be alive to see the year 2020, if murders continue unabated as they are going right now? Looks like the criminal element in this country is fearless of the law and of the officers of the law. Where did we go wrong? Could it be that the law enforcement agencies of Trinidad & Tobago are seen as just another arm of the PNM Government? Could it be that PNM Prime Minister, Patrick Manning's Crowne Plaza dealings are coming back to haunt US, THE CITIZENS?

Are we really heading for developed nation status in the year 2020?

Which leader of any developed nation would appoint his wife a Senator and Minister in Government? Which developed nation would allow its Prime Minister to do this?

Which developed nation would stand by as its Prime Minister has dinner and makes deals with known gang leaders in a posh hotel, paid for by state resources?

Which developed nation would stand by as its Chief Justice is persecuted for doing his job?

Which developed nation would stand by as a tainted Chief Magistrate is allowed to retain his position and salary?

Which Government in any developed nation would allow a known terrorist to make threats to the public on a religious occasion?

Which developed nation would stand idly by while Ministers, who are currently in office, are allowed to use state resources from on-going projects for their own benefit while the on-going projects come to a complete halt?

Are we really heading for developed nation status in the year 2020 when we are breaking records for the number of murders in a calender year?

You be the judge!

Dead Heat

The headlines on today's Trinidad Express Newspaper. You might think it were a horse race of some sort that caught today's headlines, but in fact it's actually the murder count they are speaking of. It's no longer a dead heat any more as there have been at least 3 more murders since this article was printed. See directly below for the article.

DEAD HEAT

Source: Trinidad Express

Murders same as 2005

Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com

Monday, December 31st 2007

The country's homicide figure is now on par with the record 2005 toll, following the shooting deaths of three men at the weekend,

The murders of businessman Derrick Gilbert, vendor Brian Ramnath and Kevon Andrews have now pushed the toll to 386 for the year, so far.

This means the figure is now-once again-the highest in Trinidad and Tobago's history, having surpassed last year's total by 15.

At several weekly press conferences held during the year, acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations Gilbert Reyes said the upsurge in murders was gang related. Murders resulting from domestic situations were also blamed.

However, in March, both Reyes and Minister of National Security Martin Joseph were quick to point out that murders were on a decline, having dropped by 41 per cent.

Both Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul and Reyes said measures will be taken to safeguard the public and the criminals will be bought to justice.

For this month, with less than 24 hours left in the year, 40 murders have been recorded, 13 more than December's figure for 2006.

In the first killing at the weekend, around 7:25 p.m. on Saturday, Gilbert, 40, the owner of Conquerat Transport Services, was sitting on a chair in his yard chatting with two of his employees when a man walked up behind him and shot him. He died on the spot. Speaking with the Express yesterday at Gilbert's Chandy Lane, El Socorro, home his eight -year -old son Dishon said: "My daddy was a nice guy. He stood up strong for us and all I want to say is that I love him."

Gilbert, a father three, was described by his aunt-in-law Ann-Marie Stephen as "a hard worker."

"I was in my living room looking at the news when I heard three loud noises. I told my husband the noises sounding like gunshots and soon after I got a call telling me Derrick get shoot.

"I rushed out the house and into Derrick's yard. He was slouched in a chair with blood in his eyes," Stephen said.

Gilbert had been shot three times in the head.

Stephen said relatives were baffled as to the reason behind Gilbert's death, she said, prior to the murder, Gilbert confided to his mother, "things were tough at the port and he was getting a lot of fightdown."

Adding Gilbert's children - two boys, ages eight and 13, and his 16-year-old daughter were now fatherless, Stephen said: "Our family is small but strongly knitted, he (Gilbert) was a very nice guy, good father, friend, husband and businessman."

Also visiting relatives yesterday was karate expert Prof Don Jacobs.

Investigators said they had not established a motive for Gilbert's killing.

Four hours later, residents of Production Drive, Sea Lots, heard gunshots and when they investigated saw the body of Brian Ramnath lying at the foot of some stairs.

Ramnath, 37, also called "Ramsey", became a father for the fourth time last Wednesday.

His daughter Kehenna said Ramnath was shot in his yard after he parked his car. "We (relatives) heard the shots and ran outside cause we knew he had come home. When we ran downstairs we saw him on the steps bleeding,"

She said relatives were told by eyewitnesses that a man ran from behind a tree and shot Ramnath.

Kehenna said her father's death might have been an act of jealously.

And around 4.30 a.m. yesterday,Kevon Andrews was shot dead while walking with his girlfriend.

Andrews, 20, of Laventille Road, Laventille, was walking along Block 22, Laventille, when three masked men approached them and shot Andrews. His girlfriend was robbed of a cell phone and jewelry.

The men then ran off.

No motive has yet been established for Andrews's killing.

As you can probably tell from the above article, crime has gotten out of control since the November 5th elections which saw a PNM victory once again at the polls. Now I'm not saying that it wasn't out of control before, what I am saying is that it was under control for the small window that would be considered the run up to the general elections of 2007. Crime was kept at bay long enough to guarantee the incumbent PNM that they wouldn't have to suffer an election defeat due to high levels of murders and other extremely violent crimes. What bothers me is the fact that the PNM is able to control the criminals of T&T for their own political gain but are unable to control the criminals so as to save innocent lives of T&T citizens. What also bothers me was the fact that the PNM had arranged a dinner meeting at a very posh hotel in P.O.S to discuss crime with so called "community leaders" who are in fact known gang leaders in East P.O.S. When are the citizens going to wake up and realise that the PNM doesn't care about their safety and well-being?

I think a couple quotes may be in order for this piece.

Poor Math

I don't know where the minister and Mr. Reyes studied math; in my score card they get an "F". How can they claim murders dropped 41% when the rate increased from last year? Who knows how many more may die before 2008. I am not proud to say that we have a per capita rate of 0.03% which is higher than New York city with a population of over 8 million. I hope these two gentlemen have a happy new year. Trini. from Malaysia.

Remarkable

Outlaws would confront face to face, pip-squeaks shoot in the back. Police have blimps and helicopters to admire sceneries. Government indicates that crime is 41% down and the headline is promoting a record to be broken soon for murders. Give us some stats for the past 5 years: monies budgeted for each of those years, number of murders, rapes and deaths by motor accidents and the number of case solved annually.