THE EDITOR: Jerome Joseph, Shakem Charles, Anezia Lewis, Donny Dick, Carissa Ramrattan, Dave Lyons, Earl Peters, Marley Goddard, Mekeel Cox.
These are just a few of the individuals whose lives were tragically cut short by the rampant lawlessness plaguing our country. And this, dear reader, is only one week’s worth of names, not even the full list of murder victims from this year.
Crime and murders are not a recent occurrence, nor a temporary surge. It has been relentless and ongoing. Trinbagonians are being killed at an alarming rate with no end in sight, and it appears that little to no effective measures are being taken by those responsible for our security.
Are those in power unable to act, or are they simply unwilling? I shudder at the thought of the answer being the latter, yet it is a fear many of us share.
We are prisoners in our own homes! Defenceless against armed assailants who invade with impunity, showing no regard for life or limb. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish friend from foe, as innocent people are constantly scammed online or, even more alarmingly, accosted by individuals impersonating police officers.
We, as citizens, have entrusted our safety to the national security forces. Yet, while we are inundated with "safety tips" and advice on "how to stay safe," it seems that the same level of vigilance is not being applied to actually addressing and dealing with the criminal elements in our society.
We have become so accustomed to the narrative of self-preservation that, when tragedy strikes, there is a disturbing tendency to blame the victims. This must end. Law-abiding citizens have every right to enjoy their property without fear of harm, and it can never be justified for anyone to deprive them of this right.
Our basic right to live is under constant threat, and our leaders seem incapable of lifting this oppressive burden from our necks.
In any other country, under even less dire circumstances, such leadership would have already been deemed a failure and replaced. But not in sweet Trinidad and Tobago.
We must passionately, purposefully, and unequivocally demand better. If this is truly the best we can do, then I fear for the future that lies ahead.
K ADAM
Project600 Committee
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