THE EDITOR: Have members of the TT Defence Force (the regiment) become timid? What are their real efforts in support of the TTPS in the fight against crime?

In the early 70s, during the so-called "Guerilla movement," members of our regiment, supported by the TTPS, were able to bring that situation under control in a timely manner.

They did so by setting up camps, trained and lived in areas known to be occupied by the so-called guerrillas. The same could be said of the situation with the Gun Hill area in Point Fortin in the mid 80s.

Why isn't the same being done to dismantle these gangs, who by all reports, are mainly responsible for the crime wave across our country?

I would hate to think the people tasked with guarding and defending this country, are timid and afraid of these gangs.

It's true the gangs seem to be well-armed, but so too are the protective services. The protective services have an advantage over the gangs – they are trained and this training is far superior to what gang members have.

They are better-trained in the use of weapons, they are better-trained in fighting in all areas, including confrontations in built-up and rural areas. Training which could and should be an asset used to dismantle the gangs which are causing havoc in our country.

If our protective services led by the TTDF and the TTPS were able to successfully dismantle the security issues of the 70s and 80s, why can't it be done successfully now?

A. PIERRE

Marabella

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