US Advisory on T&T Stuck on Repeat – Alexander

‘T&T is dangerous because of failed politicians and a crime-fighting industry that thrives on the success of the underworld’ – Phillip Edward Alexander

By Prior Beharry

THE US State Department advisory issued this week warning its citizens about violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago seems to be stuck on repeat.

This is the view of the political leader of the Progressive Empowerment Party (PEP) Phillip Edward Alexander in a release on Saturday.

He said, “Like most thinking people when I read it I checked the date as it seemed stuck on repeat, but no, the date was current. So I checked to see what new happened to bring this about.”

Alexander asked which country does not have its danger zones and why should T&T be listed “and not our politicians for failing to right the wrongs that plants the trees that bears that troublesome fruit?”

He added, “It would seem to me that the place that should be listed as the most dangerous part of T&T is the square mile around Woodford Square.

“Our Parliament that has done nothing in the last 30 years to undo what ails us that drives those dreadful crime numbers or the Hall of Justice that symbolises a justice system that either revolves serious criminals back into society or jails minor ones for eternities without end because the system works that way.

“We the people victimise ourselves by our silence. T&T is dangerous because of failed politicians and a crime-fighting industry that thrives on the success of the underworld.”

The advisory stated, “Violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping, is common.

“Gang activity, such as narcotics trafficking, is common. A significant portion of violent crime is gang-related.”

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Alexander said, “We spend more money housing and transporting prisoners than all of them combined ever stole, begging the question as to what is the greater crime against the people.”

The political leader said the US could help by deploying battleships between the T&T and the South and Central America mainlands to interdict the contraband that passes through.

He said, “Once that is done, one of those alphabet soups of international helping hand organisations could provide us with the estimated $40 million it would take to reward police officers for bringing in the estimated 40,000 illegal guns for destruction at $1,000 a pop, giving our law enforcement a lucrative and legal side hustle that would leave our bandit class holding up bars and groceries with pen knives and slingshots.”

Alexander said he does not accept the advisories.

He said, “No I do not accept these continuous advisories while everyone sits on their hands and watches as Eden goes to hell or Rome burns or Camelot sinks or whichever analogy floats your boat, but I would accept help in fixing my country in the quick time it would take a real government to fix it, that is, if the best interest of our people is of interest to anyone at all.”