Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally has labelled National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ walkabout on Carnival Tuesday as a public relations stunt which he said will not help protect citizens.
Rambally, in a release on Tuesday, said unlike Hinds, citizens don’t have the luxury of being accompanied by armed soldiers.
Hinds, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher and National Security officials toured downtown Port of Spain on Tuesday.
Rambally said Hinds is unable to create policies to address escalating crime.
He said: “Over the Carnival period, Minister Hinds’ only visible anti-crime plan was holding a ‘walk’ throughout Port of Spain on Carnival Tuesday while he was accompanied by armed members of the various protective services. Perhaps Minister Hinds seized the opportunity to have his own mas band.”
He added: “Given the grim reality of the widespread violent crime that law-abiding citizens face daily, it is beyond disappointing that Hinds continues to display a complete disregard for crafting policies and launching initiatives that aim to reduce crime and intercept criminals.”
According to Rambally, 91 murders have been committed for the year, compared to 79 last year. He said seven of this year’s murders took place between Saturday and Sunday.
According to the Homicide Bureau’s figures there were 92 murders recorded as of Tuesday compared to 84 for the same period last year. Of the seven people murdered on Carnival Saturday, two were killed in Port of Spain, three in South Trinidad and two in East Trinidad.
During the walkabout, Hinds said he was satisfied with the safety and security of the country during Carnival based on the reports he received from law enforcement personnel.
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