Wednesday, August 8 2012

THE EDITOR: In light of all the negative headlines made against the Government in the past two weeks, it is easy to say that whatever the People’s Partnership does they would always receive the usual criticisms from the Opposition.

Some fail to open their eyes and view the entire situation and much rather swallow what is fed to them. Are we forgetting everything the People’s Partnership has done thus far and are continuing to curb crime in Trinidad and Tobago or are we just being plain ignorant of the truth?

What we fail to recognise is that crime is an ongoing process and tact is necessary when it comes to implementing new strategies in the fight against crime, more so what we fail to see is the holistic approach that the Government is adapting.

It is safe to say that this Government has been proactive in its approaches towards reducing crime levels in TT, for example, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Stephen Williams, has praised the South Western Police Division for their success in the 20 percent reduction in crime levels within its districts.

They have clearly realised that in addition to managing the administrations that are responsible for securing citizens’ rights that the home, the family and the school also require intervention. It isn’t only about the criminals already out there but the potential ones that we may be harbouring in our very homes, schools and communities.

The People’s Partnership has left no stone unturned in directing their attention towards the youth, getting them off the streets and in schools.

Here is a reminder of the few things the Government has done to guide our young ones on the right path:

1. Re-opening of Biche High School 11 years after its completion.

2. Opening of St Barbara’s Spiritual Baptiste Primary School in Maloney after 14 years.

3. Opening of the Marabella South Secondary School.

4. The completion of Aranjuez North Secondary School’s new $130.3 million state of the art building after a four-year wait.

5. Free travel on PTSC buses for children in school uniform.

6. The Ministry of Gender Youth and Child Develop-

ment signed agreement with the Ministry of Health to establish construction projects such as Transition Homes for Children leaving Orphanages, Safe Houses for persons in Domestic Violence Situations and Interdis-

ciplinary Child Development Centres in communities.

7. $10 million allocation for each MP for immediate infrastructure work and social development needs in their constituencies.

8. Launched the National Youth Mentorship Progr-

amme.

9. COSTAATT commenced operations in January 2012 in Sangre Grande with an enrolment of 800 students — serving communities in the Arima, Wallerfield, Valencia, Guaico, Cumuto, Toco, Matelot, Manzanilla and Biche.

10. The Government has launched a $300 million initiative, involving 20,000 jobs for persons in “hot-spot” areas, as part of its anti-crime master plan. This massive job-creation programme, entitled “Reclaiming our Youth: Embracing Our Future”.

It is extremely disappointing to read that Government is doing a poor job and what is being done for our best interest is under constant scrutiny. The people of TT need to wake up! Crime is everybody’s business.

The Government is doing their job. Are we?



Jenna Thomas

St Joseph