Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has accused the People’s National Movement of hypocrisy following criticism of her announcement to establish 30 joint army/police posts across the country over the next four months.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said it was clear from the PNM’s objection that it does not care about the safety of law-abiding citizens or the security of the nation.
She argued that the planned joint army-police posts are intended to strengthen security and provide greater protection for residents, particularly in communities affected by crime.
“They are against the joint army/police posts, against American security assistance, they spread hatred against the security services, and they do and say everything to allow the local drug mafia to destroy PNM strongholds with illegal drugs and violence.”
Quoting figures, the Prime Minister said the PNM “allowed 5,000 persons to be murdered and 8,000 to be raped because the party wanted the rich fake elite drug-trafficking financiers to become richer.”
She argued that constituencies traditionally represented by the PNM experience some of the country’s highest levels of violent crime yet PNM MPs and their supporters would prefer to place their stronghold constituencies and their children’s future in jeopardy rather than cooperate with the security services to bring crime down.
“PNM stronghold constituencies have the highest murder rates, the highest concentration of violent gangs, the highest unemployment rates, the worst infrastructure and the fewest opportunities. Despite this, the PNM and spokespersons for the local drug mafia do not want an increased police presence in these areas.”
The Prime Minister maintained that the establishment of the 30 joint army-police posts forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to combat crime and strengthen law enforcement presence across the country.
Of the 30 planned posts, 24 locations have already been identified across the country. They are:
- Tarouba Flyover
- Grand Bazaar Interchange
- Couva Interchange
- Williamsville Junction
- Guayaguayare (next to Indian Bay)
- Junction of Rochard Road and Penal Rock Road
- Junction of Rochard Douglas Road and Cumoto Road (next to cricket ground)
- Intersection of Southern Main Road, La Romain and South Trunk Road/Highway (adjacent to Paria Suites)
- Junction of Todd’s Road and Caparo Valley Road (near Todd’s Road recreation ground)
- Junction of Tamana Road and Cumoto Road
- Kelly Village, Caroni
- Demerara Road, Churchill Roosevelt Highway
- Area between Aranguez Main Road, Johnny King Road and Bridge Road
- Eddie Hart Grounds, Tunapuna
- A second site to be determined in Tunapuna
- Icacos Junction
- A location along Toco Main Road
- Carlsen Field
- Felicity, Chaguanas
- Lady Young Road (near the walkover)
- Acono Road, St Joseph
- Malgretoute Junction, Princes Town (opposite the WASA booster station)
- Golconda Interchange
- Torrib Road, Tabaquite