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  • 2 years ago
T&T celebrated 62 years of Independence

The Prime Minister warned the TTPS that there is no prize for second place in the fight against crime

and TTUTA raised concerns ahead of the reopening of schools
Transcript
00:00Good evening and welcome to the past seven days on six.
00:21I am Renessa Cutting.
00:23As what made the news this past week, TNT celebrated 62 years of independence.
00:29The Prime Minister warned the TDPS that there is no prize for second place in the fight
00:34against crime and Tutor raised concerns ahead of the reopening of schools.
00:40As per usual, if it was happening, it was on six.
00:43Let's get right into it.
00:46As the country celebrated Independence Day, the Prime Minister advised the judiciary that
00:52the population is waiting on the day when criminals in this country will face the consequences
00:57of their actions.
00:58Dr. Rowley also reminded the TDPS that there is no prize for second place, even as he thanked
01:05the police for their service.
01:08On this Independence Day, Prime Minister and head of the National Security Council, Dr.
01:13Keith Christopher Rowley is calling on the third arm of the state, along with the primary
01:19entity tasked with protecting the nation, to ensure that they both fulfill their mandates.
01:26I want to say today to the Commissioner of Police that you and your officers, all almost
01:3310,000 of you, are to relentlessly pursue criminal conduct, especially violent criminal
01:40conduct, because there is no prize for second place.
01:44I want to say to the Chief Justice in your presence that the population is awaiting the
01:50day when the criminals will feel fearful to approach the court and be found guilty
01:57of criminal conduct.
02:00Dr. Rowley says while there is much to be celebrated as an independent nation, the reality
02:05is a majority of the citizenry is very concerned about crime.
02:11The Prime Minister believes, in theory, the TDPS has what it takes to better protect and
02:16serve the people of this country.
02:19If you look at the international yardstick, you would find that Trinidad and Tobago does
02:27have numerically a satisfactory amount of police officers on the payroll.
02:36However, what we have to work at is ensuring that those bodies are multiplied by police
02:45hours of work and the immeasurable effort of enthusiasm.
02:55Once that enthusiasm is there, once the integrity of officers is there, then we are sure that
03:03the number of officers in relation to the size of the population would eventually get
03:10the better of the criminal element.
03:13The Prime Minister acknowledged that those with criminal mindsets are also many in number.
03:19He believes a cultural shift is needed.
03:22There are too many people who believe that when they get to the court, they can appeal
03:29to the empathy of the human race who sees them as unfortunates for whom you must hold
03:37out the easiest concerns and to say how unfortunate they are for having fallen into criminal life.
03:47That is not the reality.
03:48The reality is that many of these people are taking a deliberate decision to participate
03:55in dangerous, violent criminal conduct because they are not afraid of the consequences because
04:02all too often they do not see the consequences of their actions and in fact, if they do see
04:08it, they don't see it in a timely manner.
04:11Despite the challenges, however, the Prime Minister thanked the members of the TTPS for
04:16their service, resilience and sacrifice.
04:19To the police service of Trinidad and Tobago, the first responders, the rampart against
04:25criminal conduct, our hope against violent crime and murders in Trinidad and Tobago and
04:31asking you to ensure that you succeed in your duties because if you fail, Trinidad
04:38and Tobago cannot succeed in the face of violent criminal conduct.
04:42Raise a toast to the Trinidad and Tobago police service, all the men, all the women, all the
04:48family, happy 62nd independence.
04:55The TTPS reported a significant decrease in serious crimes on a whole, despite an increase
05:01in the homicide rate.
05:03At the TTPS Independence Day Toast, Commissioner Laherwood-Christopher thanked her officers
05:09for their continued service and vowed to one day win the battle against crime.
05:16It is our resolve to reduce criminality and restore law and order in our beloved twin
05:22island state in the shortest possible time.
05:27In that regard and on this occasion, I again give to the national community the undertaking
05:35that the Trinidad and Tobago police service is fully invested in this battle.
05:40There is more of us than there is of them and we will not stop until we succeed and
05:46we are determined to succeed.
05:49A message of strength and perseverance from the top cop this Independence Day, as despite
05:55its ongoing efforts, the TTPS is reporting an increase in the homicide rate.
06:01Unfortunately, all that work has been eclipsed by one index, the national homicide rate,
06:09which to date has increased by 7% when compared to the same period in 2023.
06:17This increase being experienced primarily in three divisions, Port of Spain, Eastern
06:24and Tobago.
06:26The top cop laments what she calls a new dynamic in homicides, that of multiple fatalities
06:32in one incident.
06:34Although we have succeeded in reducing the number of incidents, we have had more deaths
06:40and that's because in their desperation, the perpetrators are utilizing more lethal,
06:47high-powered weapons in a more cavalier manner, committing multiple, double homicides, triple,
06:55quadruple and even quintuple homicides in a singular event.
07:02This is not the result that we are happy about and this is not the outcome we have worked
07:08for.
07:09We are, however, undaunted.
07:12Still the top cop says the police have been successful at reducing serious crimes on a
07:18whole among other wins.
07:20I am grateful to report that our crime-fighting efforts to date in 2024 have yielded a 16%
07:30reduction in serious crimes compared to the same period in 2023.
07:36Homicide rates are lower in five of the police divisions when compared to last year.
07:42We have seized just over 400 firearms.
07:47The Commissioner is reminding the public that crime-fighting is everyone's business.
07:52Our problem is the criminal minds that are emerging in our society and just as crime
08:00impacts the whole society, addressing the criminal mind is an issue for the whole of
08:06society and there's a role for the whole of society in solving and reducing crime.
08:15Every time I make that statement, I feel obligated to reiterate that the TTPS acknowledges that
08:23it has the principal role for law enforcement and we are not abdicating that responsibility.
08:30The Commissioner says the TTPS continues its social work through its walkabouts, community
08:35meetings, police youth clubs and the like.
08:39The TTPS also recently launched its customer service programme.
08:44With over 400 murders recorded for the year, opposition leader Kamala Basasa called on the
08:51Prime Minister to forget the court of arms and instead focus on the boats of arms and
08:56ammunition coming into the country.
08:59Tallying the murder statistics over the past nine years, Basasa said close to 4,500 people
09:06have lost their lives.
09:09One person is murdered every 14 hours, about every 14 hours.
09:15So when you left home to come up here, to sit here, by the time you get home, one more
09:20person murdered on average.
09:24Fifty murders are the monthly average.
09:26One person is reported missing every 12 hours.
09:31Brutal home invasions are beaten and tortured every day.
09:36Robberies, rapes, wounding and shootings have besieged the nation.
09:41Kidnappings for ransom have restarted.
09:44Extortion of business people by criminal gangs is out of control, leading to murders.
09:51The trauma of a nation in statistics.
09:54But according to the opposition leader, the numbers tell but part of the story, with the
09:59main theme being incompetence.
10:01They interfered again to intercept the merit list to kick out Griffith.
10:06So first they interfered and bypassed three to win.
10:11And then they came and interfered again, going up to President House and grabbing the list
10:16from the lady hand to kick out Griffith.
10:20Then they handpicked McDonnell Jacob.
10:24When they kick out Griffith, McDonnell Jacob.
10:272022, 613 murders.
10:30After that they chose Commissioner of Police Earler.
10:342023, 577 murders.
10:38Eight months into 24, over 400.
10:42We have had almost 4,500 murders under this government since it came into office.
10:49Faisal Bassasa is accusing the government of attempting to distract the public from
10:53the pressing issues.
10:54Mr Rowley, rather than being obsessed with creating distractions by changing the code
11:01of arms, as a government you would better serve the people by focusing on the boats
11:08of arms and ammunitions coming into our ports every day.
11:12Focus on those arms, the boats with the arms and ammunition, the illegal drugs coming into
11:19our country.
11:20You would better serve us.
11:22The opposition leader was speaking at the UNC's cottage meeting in Chaguanas.
11:28We are at a quick break.
11:29We'll have more news when we return.
11:39Welcome back.
11:40As she delivered the toast to the nation on the occasion of our 62nd Independence Anniversary,
11:46President Christine Kang lured Trinamagonians to remember that come what may, TNT will always prevail.
11:53To help with freedom, peace, I believe for peace and may God bless our nation.
12:02The words of our national anthem resonated throughout the Napa Auditorium today, as that
12:08of state and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate 62 years of Trinidad and Tobago's
12:14independence.
12:1662 years ago at midnight on the 30th of August, the Union Jack was lowered and the flag of
12:23Trinidad and Tobago was raised for the first time.
12:27Through storm and sunshine, through calm and tempest, it has remained raised ever since,
12:35red, white, and black, flying high and proud, a symbol of a people joined together on a
12:43journey into a brighter future.
12:46Key to our identity, President Kang Lu believes, is an inclination to greatness and an ability
12:52to overcome all obstacles.
12:54Doubtless, there were times over the last 62 years when others, when even we ourselves,
13:02if we are honest, must have wondered about our country's ability to stay afloat on seas
13:09that sometimes became rough.
13:12But if the last 62 years have taught the world anything, it is never to doubt the capacity
13:19of Trinidad and Tobago to rise above its challenges and to triumph over adversity.
13:26President Kang Lu lauded the men and women of this country for continuing to fly the
13:31flag high.
13:33Just when the world started wondering how come our athletes weren't among the medalists
13:38at the Paris Olympics, Jereme Richards silences the critics yesterday by winning bronze in
13:44the 400 meters in Rome.
13:47And just when unsteady hearts began to question, echoing the words that one of our Calypsonians
13:54sang 10 years ago, where pan reach?
13:58The steel pan is formally made our national instrument less than a year after the General
14:04Assembly of the United Nations declares a world day in its honor.
14:12The president says on the occasion of our 62nd independence anniversary, we should all
14:17celebrate how far we have come as a nation and how much further we will go.
14:22Join me in raising a toast as we celebrate the independent state of Trinidad and Tobago
14:29to Trinidad and Tobago.
14:35And.
14:47Hundreds came out to witness the 62nd Independence Anniversary Parade, much to the delight of
14:53our service men and women.
14:55Here are the highlights.
14:57Happy Independence Day!
15:02The energy was high at the Queen's Park Savannah today, as all service men and women wowed
15:07spectators with their crisp, clean displays.
15:15Vehicles.
15:20And even aircraft.
15:23Young children in particular were very impressed, many of them having witnessed the parade in
15:28person for the very first time.
15:31What did you think of the parade today?
15:33Parade?
15:34It was nice.
15:35What was your favorite part?
15:37My favorite part was the march and the horse.
15:39The parade was good.
15:40I did enjoy the music.
15:42I did like the cars and the fire trucks.
15:45It was also the first time for the president of the Fathers Association to attend a parade
15:51for the Fathers Association, who shared the following advice.
15:55And this is my first, first, first.
15:57I've never been to any.
15:58I've never been on the inside, the outside.
16:00I've always looked at it as a boy on television.
16:02So it was really special for me to be able to be here and experience it for the first
16:05time and actually feel that, I mean, that level of patriotism that comes out from the
16:10citizenry.
16:11So definitely, to be independent, to be free is something that we take for granted.
16:16And I think we in Trinidad and Tobago need to consider the joys of independence.
16:21For those who have lived through much of our journey of independence, the importance of
16:25the occasion cannot be overstated.
16:28Based on my childhood going up to now, I have seen immense changes.
16:32I am happy about the changes.
16:34Of course, there are some things that you would not be happy about.
16:36But in the main, I'm totally enthused and, you know, happy about the changes that I would
16:43have seen.
16:44I like, however, today particularly, I saw a lot of young people.
16:49And I saw when certain dignitaries came in, the young people stood up.
16:54And I was mentioning to him how important that was to show respect for office.
16:58So I was happy about those things.
17:00And we need some more of that.
17:02I feel proud.
17:03I feel proud to be a Trinidadian, Trinbegonian actually.
17:06I love coming to this.
17:07I look forward to this every year.
17:09What do you love most about being Trinbegonian?
17:12What do you think defines a Trinbegonian?
17:14Mixed here.
17:16Love, peace, harmony.
17:18Mixed here cultures.
17:20Mixed here races.
17:24Just happiness.
17:25And as we look forward to the future, Health Minister Terence Dearsing is reminding the
17:30country that it's not about the destination.
17:34Nation building is a journey, not a destination.
17:37And after 62 years, as Her Excellency said, we have come a long way.
17:43There have been challenges.
17:45But to echo what Her Excellency said, we have always found a way to rise above our challenges.
17:51As we move forward, all these children that I interacted here with, this is for them.
17:57Today is for them, to show them the next 62 years is rich in possibilities.
18:03Happy Independence, TNT.
18:06This is the past seven days on six.
18:16Thanks for staying with us.
18:18The new academic year starts for primary and secondary schools tomorrow.
18:22The Ministry of Education said all schools will reopen.
18:25But the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association, Martin Lumbkin,
18:30was uncertain as to how seamless that process would be.
18:35One of the schools of major concern for the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association
18:40is Mount Hope Secondary.
18:42Tutors President Martin Lumbkin says officials from the Education Ministry have recommended
18:47emergency works on that school, which is supposed to be in the second phase of the vacation repair program.
18:54We were told that in three of the four Form 3 classes, the ceiling has fallen down.
19:02We have to now find a way to relocate those students.
19:06He suspects that works will have to continue even as school is reopened.
19:12According to Lumbkin, complaints have also come in from St. Joseph Secondary
19:16and Aranguas North Secondary.
19:19We have schools that are incomplete.
19:21So you have Purcell Government Primary School.
19:24When I passed there on a morning, I am deeply troubled to see the condition
19:29that the new building was left.
19:32And these occupants are languishing in a community center.
19:38Tutors states that Palmis Government Primary and Pinal RC schools
19:42are others facing a similar relocation predicament.
19:46The Ministry of Education did admit at their press conference last week,
19:49over 50% of the primary schools have outlived their lifespan.
19:55Over 36% of secondary schools, ECCE 12%.
19:59This is to me an indictment on the Ministry of Education
20:02and by extension, the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
20:06In this regard, TUJA has its own view on the reopening of schools.
20:11We are not as confident as the Honorable Minister of Education
20:14that all schools will be reopened.
20:17But then again, there have been instances where our principals,
20:23our administrators have been coerced into opening the schools,
20:27even though they would have indicated to the Ministry of Education
20:31that they have concerns about the infrastructure, health and safety.
20:36Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
20:42Not all senior citizens are eligible for senior citizens pension.
20:46The reminder came from the Minister of Social Development and Family Services
20:51as investigations into discrepancies and fraudulent activities at the ministry continue.
20:56For the year thus far, over 200 grant cases have been forwarded to the police.
21:01It's a common misconception, but all elderly citizens of this country
21:06are in fact not eligible for the senior citizens pension,
21:10which should not be confused with the NIS pension.
21:14I've met a lot of persons who ask about the pension,
21:18but I know them, I know that they are not poor.
21:21But I think some people feel that when they reach 65, they are entitled.
21:25There are persons who are in receipt of NIS pension, of course,
21:29and according to the amount you are getting, you are not eligible.
21:32There are persons who are receiving Social Security from abroad.
21:36There are persons who have places rented out
21:39and earning a proper income above the means test level,
21:44and yet they all would apply because I think sometimes they don't know.
21:49So we feel we need to remind them.
21:52Over 108,000 people are on the senior citizens pension database.
21:57But the minister acknowledges that there may be people in the system
22:01who are not to be beneficiaries of the grant.
22:04Recently I received an anonymous letter from someone
22:09who stated that their family member applied for pension.
22:15So the family rents out a place and they kept it empty
22:20because when our officers, the field officers, go out on the field,
22:24they would see that it's empty.
22:27So they're just waiting for that grant to approve
22:29so that they could start back to rent to people.
22:32So these are some of the things that we have,
22:35so that the officers would have it difficult
22:37because they also have to do their investigation.
22:40The ministry is currently reviewing its databases,
22:43policies and processes across the board
22:46as it continues to uncover discrepancies in the system.
22:50We have over 200 and something cases that we sent to the police already.
22:56That's this year?
22:57Yes, on the whole.
23:00So we are actually waiting on the police to make their move.
23:03Sport is up next. Keep it here.
23:13In sport, the West Indies completed a dominant 3-0 series sweep
23:17of South Africa last week
23:19with a rain-affected eight-wicket win over
23:22to wrap up their three-match T20 series.
23:25Slamming knocks came from Nicholas Puran
23:28and the man of the match, Shai Hope, guided the Windies
23:31to a comfortable victory in a match reduced to 13 overs.
23:35Here's a look back at the action.
23:38In a rain-affected match which was reduced to 13 overs per side,
23:41West Indies needed a good start.
23:43Alec Athanese did not get off this time.
23:46Set 116 for victory after South Africa's total of 108-4
23:50was adjusted via the Duckworth-Lewis system.
23:53Shai Hope and Nicholas Puran went on the attack.
23:56Puran smacked 35 off 13 balls before he got out.
24:00Shimron Hetmaya got a knock as well.
24:03He made 31 not out.
24:05Hope batted through the innings with an unbeaten 42 off 24 balls.
24:10The West Indies cruising to an eight-wicket win
24:13via the DLS method in the third and final T20 against South Africa.
24:17They claim a 3-0 series win.
24:20Sergio Dufour, TV6 Sport.
24:23And that's a wrap on the past seven days on six.
24:26I am Renessa Cutting.
24:28If you didn't catch this segment in its entirety,
24:30you can find it on our website www.tv6tnt.com
24:36and you can find all these stories and more on the TV6 mobile app.
24:40Thanks for choosing TV6 and do have a great evening.
24:58.
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