NEWS RELEASE Wining to the side is not an option The Women’s Institute for Alternative Development (WINAD) notes that the majority of families in Trinidad and Tobago have experienced the trauma of gun related crime. Not very many people have the good fortune of having relatives and friends who have remained unscathed by the epidemic. On the contrary, we exchange personal stories of threats; extortion; robbery; kidnapping; and murder. Some families are emotionally wounded multiple times as siblings fall victim; parents and children succumb; and it is also possible for one woman to lose two husbands to the gun. This scenario has been the backdrop of our existence for at least the last fifteen years. During this time, governments have fallen due to their inability to manage escalating levels of crime and violence, and Ministers of National Security have been targets of public anger as the population cry out for protection. Enormous sums of money have been expended on plans; consultancies; units; and equipment. The results continue to be inadequate. Police Commissioners are unable to get a permanent “wuk” they’re either offered a contract position or an acting appointment. Phrases such as, “lick down”; “hit”; “buss open he head”; “execution”; “assassination”; “revenge” have been included in our lexicon with nefarious implications. We use them on a daily basis because the bodies have been falling on a daily basis. The ‘shock’ and ‘horror’ expressed in some quarters over the last few days about the impunity with which persons engaged in violent crime, more specifically, gun violence therefore has been curious. It is even more curious when it is legislators; politicians; captains of industry; and leaders of all disciplines who express surprise that persons in public life or of high stature can become victims of gun violence. Judicial officers admit that fear is now a factor in the discharge of their duty and declare defiantly that they will not be deterred. Legislators call for swift action to fix the judicial system. Faith leaders call down the ‘vengeance of moko’ on the perpetrators and advise the rest of us not to surrender to the barbarity. Curiously these are the institutions that provide leadership. These institutions develop the policies that determine our quality of life. It is these institutions that have responsibility for ‘fixing’ the systems, and delivering security and safety. In terms of law enforcement the response is not unexpected neither is the response of the Minister of National Security...we will leave no stone unturned and will deliver swift results. At least the tale of these two entities remain consistent....we not ready. Since it has never demonstrated any understanding of the epidemic of gun violence in the Republic, the government responds in the only way it knows how, throw money at the problem and maybe it will go away. A more insensitive and irrational act we could not hope for. But the confusion, shock, horror and blundering tells a story. It tells a story of a Republic in which an all inclusive experience can offer a false sense of security whilst existing in parallel with an insecurity that causes people to abandon their beds and take cover on the floor of their homes because of the exchange of gun fire on a nightly basis. Another noteworthy revelation in the narrative over the last few days is the reference to ‘innocent’ lives. It seems that community activists, politicians and almost all commentators are of the view that it is only the murder of ‘innocent’ persons which should attract our attention. In building their argument as to why the government should not be selective in offering a reward for information to solve violent crime, commentators observed that many other ‘innocent’ lives had been lost and did not attract similar attention. Curiously, no similar reference was made to the importance of solving the murders of those “known to the police” or “gang members”. As we all try to navigate this new frontier of death and mayhem, our fears and frustrations are likely to blur our vision for creating a society that prioritises citizen security. We must guard against the tensions that will develop as the tribes seek to gain or maintain visibility and thus access to ‘justice’. WINAD is of the view that all hands must come on deck with the full knowledge that we are all vulnerable and have been for some time. Wining to the side is not an option. Our collective efforts must be focused on reducing...and ultimately removing those practices that nurture criminality whilst developing efficient law enforcement procedures and an equally efficient judicial system. This country has invested too much in the security sector for citizens to be as vulnerable as we are. WINAD calls for sustained citizen action to demand accountability from all office holders with a mandate to provide security. Such action must include active support for families that are unable to get reports from the police on the status of an investigation into a homicide. Similarly the government must be called to account at citizen fora where it must disclose the extent to which its intended actions are having the desired effect. Gun talk and mamaguy won’t get us to a place in which we will all be safe. Visionary leadership and systemic changes will. END
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 03:41:47 +0000
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