MINISTER of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds said police were "stepping up their efforts" against extortionists, although saying new technology could hinder the detection of extortion offences. Newsday approached him on August 14 at an event at Beetham Gardens Community Centre, after claims by two Opposition MPs – St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen and Pointe-a-Pierre MP David Lee – of rampant extortion in their constituencies.
On August 13, broadcaster Ian Alleyne claimed certain individuals shot dead by the police in St Augustine had been extorting from local businesses.
Newsday asked Hinds about the Opposition's calls for new laws and police units against extortion.
"Extortion is a very difficult issue, because given technology as simple as a phone the criminal doesn't have to be present.
"So when a contractor for example is operating a business they (extortionists) don't have to be present. It could simply be a phone call, an e-mail or a letter."
He said extortionists had ways of reaching people, instilling the fear of death in them.
"There are already officers in the police service who are very astute, who understand the nature and circumstances around that crime and have been dealing with it. That is the information available to me.
"But from the reports you are alluding to it appears to be getting more widespread.
"But the police have been responding to threats and extortion for decades. It is not new. It might be – from the newspaper reports – on the rise and, therefore, I am aware the police are stepping up their game to deal with it, using all of the resources – manpower, technology and laws available to them. I know that."
Newsday asked if there was a role for the police and his ministry in light of three youngsters who recently absconded from a children's home amid claims of mistreatment occurring there.
He said the Office of Prime Minister had instituted a children's register to try to keep tabs on children so they do not "fall through the cracks", as had happened to an Arima school girl some years ago who had not been missed by family nor school as she often stayed away at length from both places.
Pressed, Hinds said he did not have enough facts to comment on the details of the case of the three boys.
"But in the generality we have laws. We have a whole regime of laws dealing with children. And we have developed a whole juvenile justice system – we have the Family Court and the Children's Court." He said TT has laws governing the way children are managed, enforced by the police and other agencies.
"We have the Children's Authority. These homes are to be licensed, registered.
"So there are systems in place, but like everywhere else in the world odd things happen and investigations must ensue, the facts determined and then action, correction and prevention take place. But in the particular case, I do not have sufficient facts to comment on it."
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