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02:01Good day, Trinidad and Tobago.
02:03A safer nation begins with you standing up, speaking out, and doing your part.
02:09As your commissioner of police, I am prepared to do my part.
02:13Are you prepared to do your part?
02:15Get on board.
02:16Are you on board?
02:17I am Bishop Ezekiel Clark, president of the Coover Police Station Community Council.
02:23And I am proud to say that I am on board with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in their
02:29fight against crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:32I am Panis Dean Galston.
02:34And I am Panis Johan Jokri.
02:35And crime prevention is everybody's business.
02:41Hi, I am Sajina Khadir, attorney at law and team lead for the attorneys for the TTPS Community Justice Clinic.
02:48We support the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in the fight against crime.
02:52Crime prevention is everybody's business.
02:55I am Shiraz Khan.
02:56I am a farmer.
02:57I support the TTPS in the fight against crime.
03:01My name is Bardic Maraj, president of the Shepard and Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
03:05Crime fighting is everybody's business.
03:08We are all on board.
03:26Good evening, Trinidad and Tobago, and to our international audience.
03:30I'm your host, Whitney Husband.
03:32And it's smack in the middle of the week.
03:33That means it's Wednesday, so it's legally speaking Wednesdays.
03:36And we must have the number one attorney to guide us through everything that we need to know about the
03:42laws of land and for us to understand it the best way we know how our attorney at law and
03:46also policy and support at the Ministry of Homeland Security, the director himself.
03:51We have Mr. Ali with us this evening.
03:53Good evening to you, sir.
03:54Good evening to you, Whitney.
03:55Whitney, every time I listen to the introduction, you inspire me.
03:59And it is healthy.
04:00You know, we talk about, you know, looking at mental health and well-being.
04:08And I think that when you listen to the introduction, if I was having a bad day, you know, you
04:13would just lift me.
04:14And I want to thank you very much for that.
04:15I'm happy to hear that.
04:16And may I say as well that I want to reciprocate you as well.
04:20You are doing justice to this program.
04:23You continue to do great work.
04:25Every corner that I go to, people will say, tell me, I say hello.
04:29So it's a great partnership.
04:31And I know you share it with different persons during the week.
04:34And I want you to continue to be able to do justice to this program.
04:38And, you know, that partnership, you and Jackie, very, very important and for the good of Trinidad and Tobago.
04:44So I want to reciprocate that to you.
04:47Other members of the team as well, very significant.
04:49Lester and others, very important.
04:52The law enforcement agencies across Trinidad and Tobago, you know, I want to warmly greet you this afternoon.
04:59As a matter of fact, I want to salute you this afternoon for the work that you continue to do
05:02in light of the challenges that we are facing.
05:06The citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago, most importantly, persons, you know, who I respect and recognize how important that particular
05:14group, or I should say that, you know, I refer to them as an institution.
05:19Very important.
05:20You know, we belong to that institution.
05:22And I just want to just go a little deeper, our nation's children.
05:28And we know that our nation's children continue to be at the forefront.
05:32Just a short while ago, I heard the Honorable Prime Minister emphasize the importance of protecting our nation's children and
05:41the steps that the state is taking.
05:43And, of course, there will always be room for more engagement.
05:47But what was important, and I want to acknowledge the Honorable Prime Minister's statement, she indicated a multi-sectoral approach,
05:53where she spoke about the Ministry of Homeland, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, and other state and non
06:00-state actors.
06:01Because, Whitney, that is exactly what we have been speaking over the last couple of weeks in terms of the
06:04response as it relates to our vulnerable youths.
06:08And, you know, I want to say to the parents, guardians, personal responsibility, state agencies who have a responsibility for
06:15children,
06:16this is a very serious matter.
06:18And as I always said, a child will connect many different sectors.
06:24And I asked the nation this afternoon to continue to let us look and pay attention to our nation's children.
06:30We know that we're in a period where examination results are around the corner.
06:34Exams are happening.
06:36And it's important for us to look at them and, you know, and invest in every aspect, not only financially,
06:42but invest emotionally and otherwise.
06:44You know, give them a chance to be heard.
06:45And I want to make that strong statement this afternoon.
06:48There, we always say that they are our future.
06:50And what has happened over the last couple of days, and going back, both into Tobago and Trinidad.
06:56Yes.
06:56I don't want to say let that give us a wake-up call.
07:00But it must act as a deliberate reminder for us that as a community, as a street, as a home,
07:08we need to pay attention to our children.
07:09And because they are, and I have no hesitation or remorse in saying this, that among us, there are demons
07:17among us.
07:18There are persons who the devil have converted.
07:21And it's important for us to recognize that the sincere, honest, truthful, spiritual persons, we need to fight this cause
07:30in every way possible to deal with these demons that we have seen in Trinidad and Tobago.
07:36And I'm also seeing that the Prime Minister, the Honourable Prime Minister, is stating that she's also pushing the initiative
07:41of parental legislation that they want to implement.
07:45So we will see how that unfolds and the details behind it.
07:48Yes.
07:48And how they are not, I think it's not just holding parents accountable.
07:52Yes.
07:52But also giving guidance.
07:54As in to the things that they should be doing as parents.
07:57So it's almost like a guideline.
07:59So we will see how that goes.
08:01And I'm happy that you said that because when we are calling for parents to play their role, what Parliament
08:08is going to move into now is to place deeper statutory duty.
08:12Now there are some duties already in law, but they are going to build and strengthen it.
08:16So parents, guardians, let us step up and recognize that you are going to be held accountable.
08:21So let's pay attention to those children in the way that we should.
08:24But I thank you for raising that issue as well with me.
08:25Now speaking of justice and children, we just have some information according to the Trinidad Express, the page driver to
08:33be charged with killing Mercedes.
08:36Now homicide detectives have been instructed to charge a suspect with the murder of 12-year-old Mercedes Lane following
08:43advice received from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, CDPP, in connection with the homicide investigation.
08:51Now the homicide detectives had submitted a file to the DPP after completing inquiries into the killing of the primary
08:59school student of Irene.
09:00On Wednesday, instructions were received from Special Advisor Joan Honor Paul to charge a suspect of Beach Road, Palosico, with
09:09the offense of murder.
09:11The suspect is to be formally charged and is carded to appear before a high master of the high court
09:18on Thursday.
09:19The decision is preceded with the murder.
09:22Charge follows a review of the evidence gathered during the investigations and authorities have not yet released further details on
09:31the charges.
09:32Well, Whitney, that is very, very good news, if I should say that.
09:38Good news in the context that some form of justice is going to come.
09:42But I want to say on public television, and I want to speak respectfully directly to the Director of Public
09:47Prosecution's Office, and by extension, the senior detectives or the senior supervisors in this matter is not in any way
09:56to give preferential treatment to this particular matter.
09:58Because every single crime, and more so, every serious crime, and more so against a child is important.
10:05Everybody wants justice.
10:06But it's important for us to manage this case effectively and other cases that have a similar nature.
10:12And the reason for that, we have seen too many times that after diligent work, gathering of evidence, decision to
10:20charge, some way after we see things happening which should not be happening.
10:26And I'm calling for an effective and a close supervision in relation to case management so this matter can move
10:34smoothly, swiftly, to the area that it's supposed to go to.
10:38Because we have all called for the sanctions to be handed down that is associated with these sort of crimes.
10:46And it's important for us to ensure that we give ourselves the opportunity to enjoy the sanctions as a society.
10:52The second party, while someone may have been or is about to be charged, this is a community that have
10:58been rattled with what transpired.
11:01Looking at some of the persons who spoke, they said in years they did not see anything like this.
11:05And it's important for starting with that particular community to also engage in some activity so that each individual can
11:16assist each individual to recover from what is happening.
11:19Because, yes, you may have a criminal charge. Yes, you may go to court.
11:23But the trauma, the stress that may have emerged from this trial being part of the community will still live
11:34on.
11:34And it's important for both state and non-state actors to be looking at this.
11:38I will say publicly, I myself am looking in that direction.
11:40I've been having some discussions with the victim and support unit and other stakeholders.
11:45Because we need to continue the engagement.
11:47It cannot stop at the time where a charge is late.
11:50And to the persons who have to play a part in the criminal justice system, courts, the DPP's office, the
11:55TTPS, witnesses, importantly,
11:57let us treat this case in the way that it should be treated.
12:00That's the best response we can give to this child and other children who may be similarly succumbed out.
12:05Yes, and of course, condolences to the family once again for the loss of their children.
12:10Certainly, Whitney.
12:11Others who have lost their children to such heinous acts of violence from individuals.
12:15We call them the monsters out there.
12:17Certainly.
12:17The devils that are rooming.
12:18But let's dive in now to the psychosocial interventions that we're seeing happening throughout the country,
12:25especially throughout the schools.
12:27Yes.
12:27We are with that and educational progression.
12:29Well, thank you very much, Whitney.
12:31Thanks for allowing me and Jackie to expound on this a little bit.
12:35This has been a continuation and an important need to engage our nation's students.
12:43And that word you use, psychosocial intervention, it's very significant in educational engagement
12:48to assist and have these students become more resilient, to give them the exercises or to share matters with them
12:59that will assist them from an emotional context, and to be able to make proper choices and decisions
13:07so that they can deal with things like peer pressure, they can recognize the significance and the consequences
13:13of getting involved in drugs, gang activity, even the opportunity to be able to communicate
13:20and manage their peers.
13:22So it's a very broad, wide engagement.
13:26And what is significant is that we are having a society, both state and non-state actors,
13:32coming on one platform to be able to respond to these children.
13:35May I say at St. Augustine Secondary School yesterday, and I want to recognize the principal and staff of Secondary
13:40School.
13:40So that is over 100 students?
13:41Over 210 students, Whitney.
13:44It was really, really inspiring.
13:46School supervisors, the director of school supervision, and may I recognize the Honorable Minister of Homeland Security
13:52and also the Minister of Education, both I spoke with, and they are very interested in the engagement.
13:59And of course, the facilitators, psychologists, criminologists, sporting icons, police officers, prison officers,
14:06and many other stakeholders.
14:07Members of society.
14:08Members of society.
14:09So, you know, we want these children to recognize, first off, that society care about you.
14:15Society is here to have a conversation with you.
14:17Society is here to help you take the next step.
14:19And I think that we are making the necessary impact based on the feedback that we are getting from the
14:26children.
14:27If you see these children, Whitney, eager to ask questions, eager to engage, switch tone,
14:33and even after the event, still want to, you know, come in to shake your hand, want to ask a
14:39question.
14:39And may I say, tomorrow we are going to the Arangwes Secondary School, second engagement for the week.
14:45And I want to say to the Arangwes Secondary School, if they are listening,
14:48we have a very special guest who will be engaging us at that school tomorrow
14:53to demonstrate that we are bringing every stakeholder we could find in society,
14:59whether at the University of the West Indies, whether from a sporting context, from a corporate context,
15:03to engage you.
15:05Because, Whitney, my final statement with this, and this is for corporate children on Tobago as well,
15:10sometimes we look at these students, but not look at them in the way that we should look at them
15:14in terms of importance.
15:15But corporate children on Tobago, where are you going to get your human resource from?
15:19The same students, you see.
15:21The same students.
15:22Also listen. We need to listen.
15:24That's correct.
15:24We need to also listen.
15:25Your public sector, where are you going to get your human resource from your public sector?
15:28The students from the same schools.
15:30Coming out of school.
15:31And that is where we need to recognize that if we invest there, we are going to benefit from excellent
15:38children.
15:39And I said yesterday, publicly on the media, various media houses,
15:46that the best response we can give to those children who met their demise through crime and criminality
15:51is to ensure that we are not creating room for more demons to walk these streets in Trinidad.
15:57And more room in the prisons.
15:59That's correct.
15:59We don't want more room. It's already overcrowded.
16:01We don't want to add any more.
16:02Right now, let's take a look at what's making today's update of SOE, June 10, 2026.
16:08Number of operations, 7,230.
16:12Number of targets, priority offenders, 2,087.
16:16Searches conducted, 3,159.
16:20Traffic operations, 4,312.
16:23Total persons arrested, 3,228.
16:27Total persons charged, 703.
16:32Firearms recovered.
16:33We're seeing an increase with the pistols, shotguns, and a total of 186.
16:37Ammunition recovered.
16:38We're seeing an increase with the 9mm and the 12 gauge, giving us a total of 3,531.
16:45And dangerous drugs says we're seeing, again, increase with the cannabis and cocaine.
16:49Mr. Ali?
16:50So let me just take the last row and column as the case may be.
16:53Yes, 474,257 grams of cannabis.
16:58Yes.
17:00And that is one of the topics that was dealt with yesterday.
17:03Look at the quantum of the dangerous drug that was out in the wider public.
17:08And could you imagine that this drug is being exposed, or a child is being exposed to this drug?
17:13Yesterday, I gave a very strong, stern call to the population of the St. Augustine,
17:20reminding these children that any person who is found in possession of a dangerous drug,
17:25or a substance having a similar effect on the school compound,
17:32creates a criminal offense for them to appreciate.
17:34And even, in some cases, trafficking in a dangerous drug.
17:37For them to appreciate the consequences and not take this thing lightly.
17:40Because drugs are available, but we've seen it there.
17:43Easy access.
17:44That's correct.
17:44So, to the citizenry, if you are aware of crime and criminality,
17:49whether it be narcotics, whether it be firearms, ammunition, whatever it may be,
17:54you have a responsibility, and I ask you to hold that responsibility dearly to your heart,
17:59to be able to ensure that these things are not in areas that our children can be exposed to,
18:05and we destroy our future.
18:07All right.
18:08So that's why I wanted to make that point this afternoon.
18:09Right now, let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
18:11All right.
18:41Let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
18:45And those are your stories making today's headlines.
18:47Remember, you can give us a call at 623-1711, extension 1996 and 1997.
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21:19Maybe you could afford to pay up to $22,500 in fines and lose your license permanently.
21:27No? Then don't drink and drive.
21:31A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
21:48210 Form 1 students at St. Augustine Secondary School were engaged through the Special Psychosocial Intervention and Educational Engagement Initiative.
21:57Policy and Community Support Director at the National Security Ministry, Zaheer Ali, says it was the supplement the police assistance
22:05the school has been receiving in a bid to treat with indiscipline and delinquency.
22:09The intended effect is that what was learned will be passed on.
22:13When you look at 210 students, you're looking at minimum 210 parents, if not more. You're looking at impacting a
22:20community. You're looking at impacting a nation.
22:22What would have been some of those engagements and what would they have looked like?
22:27Beautiful question. And today, let me take it from the TTPS and the psychiatrist, Dr. Varma D'Alsing.
22:31We dealt with the consequences and impact of dangerous drugs. And importantly here, also substance having a similar effect.
22:38He says this must also be followed up with the necessary psychosocial interventions as the issue is becoming more and
22:46more prevalent among the general student population.
22:48And I think I'll take this opportunity to make a very strong call from a legislative context to strengthen our
22:55response in relation to this issue of vaping.
22:57And Ali expounds.
22:59I would like to see in the Children's Act in particular, if not other legislation, expressly indicating the prohibition of
23:07vaping in the schools.
23:10Secondly, when a matter of vaping comes onto the table, it should be properly investigated.
23:17And the reason for that is that the contents of the instrument that is used for vaping, you may be
23:22surprised that it's not only tobacco products,
23:25but may also be other products that may have a similar effect to a dangerous drug, if not a dangerous
23:30drug.
23:31Psychiatrist Dr. Varma D'Alsing highlights the seriousness of drugs in the nation's schools.
23:58The students were also taught about self-expression, such as managing their emotions and having empathy,
24:05including towards their parents.
24:08UWE psychology lecturer Dr. Christine Descartes says it is also important for parents to empathize with their children
24:15and self-reflect on where they were at when they were navigating their pre-adult years.
24:21She states that problems for the present generation are compounded by social media influence.
24:26So things like the drugs that they see persons taking maybe on social media, the music that they are exposed
24:35to,
24:36also to the images in terms of the girls when they see, and even men too, or young boys,
24:41they see certain men looking a certain way and, you know, trying to fit in.
24:45And as the Losero community is rocked by the brutal murder of 12-year-old Mercedes Lane, Ali has this
24:52to say.
24:52And I want to send condolences to the family of that 12-year-old and all other children
24:58who may have met their demise through crime and criminality.
25:02These engagements, we want to dedicate these engagements to those children.
25:05Those children passing should not go unlooked.
25:08And we want to take this opportunity to ensure that we shape and mould the minds
25:12to ensure that we don't have persons who may have perpetrated that act.
25:16We don't have persons like that in our society.
25:21Our attorney at law and director of policy and support at the Ministry of Homeland Security, Mr. Ali.
25:27I mean, you could see the passion there with the other stakeholders and psychologists that are there.
25:33And tell us a little more feedback.
25:35What took place there, the engagement?
25:37Well, Whitney, I want to say that, you know, where this interview ended, it was very touching.
25:41You know, when you have to speak about a 12-year-old, and I'm going back to that,
25:45and, you know, the call that I made to ensure that their demise or their passing must not be, quote
25:51-unquote, forgotten.
25:53But there must be a response.
25:55Yeah.
25:55And the response is to ensure that the perpetrators who perpetrated that,
25:59that we do not create an avenue where these persons are maturing into acts of crime and criminality
26:05or becoming what we call the demons.
26:07That's correct.
26:08Comfortable demons.
26:09One thing I would want to say with this, what you've noticed in this interview,
26:13and there are two persons beside myself that spoke.
26:18The doctor, psychiatrist, and a psychologist from the University of the West Indies.
26:23Now, that is what I've been saying on this platform,
26:25that crime and criminality has gone beyond just talking about TTPS.
26:31This is when we are finding the avenue and the channel to bring our professionals in Trinidad and Tobago.
26:37We all live here.
26:38We all have a responsibility.
26:40And I want to salute those two professionals and others, other criminologists, psychologists,
26:45and other social workers, National Parent Teachers Association.
26:49It has been an avalanche of response.
26:51And I want to salute every stakeholder.
26:53They all know themselves, the organization, both state and non-state actors,
26:56because that is the way, in my respectful view, that we will win Trinidad and Tobago.
27:00When persons recognize wherever you sit, including you, Whitney, I've been calling on you.
27:05And I think your time is coming close as well, because just your presence, young children seeing you,
27:12your presence will transform these children to want to be the next Whitney Husbands,
27:17to want to be the next person who can co-host a Bionita program.
27:20And this is how we need to look at our society.
27:22So, yes, we have the strong-arm policing, which is critical.
27:27Well, but at the same time, there's a secondary method that must be complementing the hard-arm policing,
27:32because prevention, and I want to quote the Honorable Minister of Homeland and the Minister of Education,
27:37when we spoke, prevention, prevention, prevention.
27:41So, Robert Peel has spoken about the importance of prevention.
27:44It will save costs down the road as well, Whitney, if we are able to prevent
27:48and limit the number of persons that are going to be exposed to crime and criminality.
27:52And may I send a message to the gang leaders and the gang members as well.
27:56You can also play a role, wherever you are, do an introspection, and turn your life around,
28:02and direct these children onto the right part.
28:04So, you play a role too. I'm asking you to play a role.
28:06All right, we have a call on the line.
28:08Caller, good evening.
28:11Hello?
28:13Hi.
28:15Good evening.
28:16Good evening, officer. Good evening with me.
28:17Good evening. Good evening to you.
28:19Is there anything in law which says that there should be a timeline for things like it is for persons
28:25who have been accused, you know, who have been eligible, like this person, you 12-year-old?
28:30Is there anything in the timeline because sometimes they stay so low and next thing they get through us,
28:34you know, as though it's nothing?
28:37Besides, besides the partner Morgan, is there anything that could say that it should take a certain amount of time
28:43to get through this or that they don't get away?
28:45That's the first one.
28:46My second point is concerning the PH card.
28:49Well, I know there are some areas where PH, you know, they assess people,
28:55but at the same time, I think that something should be done about them
28:59so that people could be safer because, you know, sometimes they,
29:02to go from point A to point B, some of these taxis are not going to go into where it
29:06says
29:06they need to pay, so they should do something about those PH cards so that people will be safer.
29:12Well, I'm just, I'm concerned, I heard you last, I heard you say about the prohibition of vaping.
29:19I was, I felt so good when you said that.
29:21But do we have plenty, plenty, because we got, you know, do vaping because I mean, oh, that is something.
29:56That is very important.
29:57So what, and hence why I call for effective case management.
30:00So if you have expeditious trial, you're going to have justice delivered, of course, quickly.
30:08Of course.
30:08And you will also have the opportunity, once the matter runs the full course of the judicial system,
30:13including that Pratt & Morgan case that she spoke about, we have spoken about that at length,
30:17managing that five-year period that the person has to exhaust all appeals,
30:22including appeals to the human rights body.
30:23Yes.
30:23Those are things, hence why I'm calling for an effective case management,
30:26and I've signaled the officers, including the Office of the Attorney General, to deal with it.
30:30So very good question in terms of promoting and advocating for an expeditious trial.
30:34I know the Honorable Chief Justice would have spoken along those lines,
30:38and, you know, I hope that, you know, those matters are properly table to be able to enjoy.
30:43So where we are right now, we don't really have a time frame.
30:45We do have a, yeah, it will go through according to all the evidence.
30:48Yes, okay.
30:48You know, how the judicial officer manage the cases.
30:50Cool.
30:51But it's important for us to do it expeditiously.
30:53So that's why I'm calling for effective case management.
30:56Yes.
30:57With reference to the vaping, I did, in fact, and you all heard it,
31:01I made a strong call for a legislative step because I spoke about a term with me,
31:05and I want to remind you that I'm in Tobago.
31:07While we have the Endroids Drug listed in the Schedule to be the Endroids Drug Act,
31:11while we have the Endroids Drug referred to any children's act,
31:15sometimes we miss the second limb, or a substance having a similar effect.
31:20Not identical effect, you know, a similar effect.
31:22So let's go back to the vaping, and the experts have spoken, not Zahir Ali.
31:27If Zahir Ali speak in the context of law, we have two experts,
31:30a psychiatrist and a psychologist, telling you about the impact, about the effect of vaping.
31:35So if a substance having a similar effect to what a dangerous drug may do,
31:41there goes the area that we need to target.
31:44Mr. Ali, remember, approximately two years or a little more, I mentioned the vaping.
31:48I remember that.
31:49I mentioned the vaping to pay attention because parents, you're not smelling like a cigarette.
31:53I remember that, and I want to build on something that you said as well,
31:56that sometimes we go in any context, well, and hence why I made mention that,
32:00don't feel as tobacco, because in the contents, if you do a forensic analysis,
32:05you may just be surprised what your children are engaging in.
32:09Correct.
32:09We take that break.
32:10We'll be back.
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33:09Thank you, members of the media.
33:12This concludes our weekly press briefing.
33:16As the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues to protect
33:20and serve with pride,
33:22we are calling on all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago
33:25to get on board with us
33:27to ensure that everyone is able
33:29to live in a crime-free society.
33:34Are you on board?
33:37This is my country and I am on board.
33:41I am on board with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
33:45Let us save the youth of the nation.
33:47Get on board.
33:48Crime affects all of us.
33:50Children, communities and the country as a whole.
33:53Supporting crime victims and working with the police service.
33:57I am on board.
33:59This is my country and I am on board.
34:03My name is Nikolai Blackmon and I am on board with the TTPS.
34:07Vision on Mission is proud to partner with the TTPS
34:12because crime prevention is everybody's business.
34:15We are the National Congress of Incorporated Spiritual Baptist Organizations
34:20of Trinidad and Tobago
34:21and we are on board with the TTPS in its fight against crime.
34:25I am a farmer.
34:27This is my country and I am on board.
34:29I am Charles Jason Gordon,
34:31the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port of Spain.
34:34I am on board in the TTPS fight against crime.
34:38We are all on board.
34:54And we are back.
34:55And remember, you can give us a call at 623-1711 extension 1996 and 1997.
35:00If you're now joining us, we have our turn here at law, of course,
35:03each and every Wednesday with us, Mr. Ali,
35:05and he's also the Director of Policy and Support
35:08at the Ministry of Homeland and Security.
35:11Now, an incident took place earlier today, Mr. Ali,
35:14and this was at Union Hall in San Fernando.
35:16And it's alleged that this gentleman that we're seeing here
35:20that is brandishing this firearm,
35:23because, I mean, clearly he's comfortable doing so
35:26in confrontation with police officers.
35:29And from what we gathered, he met his demise
35:32because of this conduct that we are witnessing before us right now.
35:38Well, Whitney, when you just look at the video,
35:41I do not know the circumstances surrounding where he met his demise.
35:44You know, that will have to be dealt with in accordance with law.
35:46But let's look for the purpose of persons who may be looking at this individual here.
35:50Let's look at that discharging a firearm,
35:53and I suspect probably within 40 meters of a public road or in a public place.
35:58It's the possession of the firearm.
36:02And importantly here, when we use the word brandishing,
36:05what we're really looking at is possession of a firearm to endanger life.
36:08So these are very significant matters.
36:10And I can add other offenses to it,
36:12but I'm just showing you that just even before any engagement with the police,
36:16where he may have engaged the police and the police acting in self-defense,
36:19and he met his demise based on what you have just reported.
36:22Leading up to that, this is the conduct of that gentleman.
36:25Very, very serious criminal offenses under the FAMSAC as amended.
36:29And this is what we are dealing with in Trinidad and Tobago.
36:31And perhaps if you do an assessment of that individual,
36:37you may just lead that individual back to her school,
36:40where he may have been exhibiting delinquency, violence,
36:47probably issues with parenting and other ills,
36:49but it may have gone untouched.
36:52And hence we have this individual behaving in that manner.
36:56Well, no, from your reporting, I've gone to the creator.
36:59And this is why Trinidad and Tobago, we need to look at these things.
37:01When you see a very serious crime committed under the hands of an individual,
37:06that's not the requisite mensure may have been formed there.
37:09But the propensity for violence, the propensity to be delinquent,
37:14the propensity to inflict grievous bodily harm,
37:16or to behave in the way that that person behaved,
37:18started sometime very, very long where it passed many persons.
37:22And we didn't pay attention to it, including the criminal justice system,
37:26including the prison system where we're talking about rehabilitation.
37:29Now, why you reached for rehabilitation when you could go and try to prevent it
37:33at an early stage?
37:34And hence why 210 children yesterday, hopefully, may the Lord bless the intervention,
37:41could be 210 less to join the criminal elements.
37:45So that means the question of where persons are questioning what the Honorable Prime Minister is saying.
37:51Are we really hyper-aggressive people?
37:53We have a call.
37:54Caller, good evening.
37:56Hi, good evening.
37:57Good evening.
37:58Good evening.
37:58Good evening to you, sir.
38:01Hi, good evening to you all.
38:02How are you all going?
38:03All right.
38:04So far, so good.
38:05So far, so good.
38:07Happy to hear.
38:07I'll be doing this show right now.
38:09I'll be brief on the time on this.
38:11You know, properly, there must be a timeline.
38:16You know, I welcome the day when we could turn on the TV,
38:22read the local newspaper, and see no crime, no incident.
38:27And I believe you all can achieve that.
38:31I know we say it begins with citizens.
38:34Just a suggestion, sir.
38:37You know, maybe we could get the TTPF officers in our communities once every week.
38:43One day a week between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
38:476, 10, 10 a.m., yes.
38:48I know ASP Raptor always speaks about that community development for us to assist the TTPF so we all can
38:59be comfortable and happy.
39:01But I think we definitely need some initiation from the TTPF in our community.
39:07So once a week, between 6 in the morning to 10 a.m., a person's travels in the way to
39:12work to get that personal familiarity,
39:14that personal connection, to know the officers, and the officers know who are people in the community.
39:21So I'll be brief.
39:22Thank you for the great and honest work you're doing, officer, to ensure,
39:27because we ensure the happiness of persons so we can live our lives.
39:32Corporal, as I remember, when we celebrated the fact that they got their masters from UAE,
39:37because correct me for wrong, and persons would like the opportunity to get us good education,
39:42to choose that courage, to enjoy their life stress-free, worry-free, no problem.
39:49So thank you so much, and I'll listen to your feedback, please.
39:52And Sally?
39:53Thank you very much for your kind feedback.
39:55And your point is taken in relation to what you're advocating for a closer engagement between the police and the
40:01community.
40:01And I want to say that while there are several engagements, for example, station council, tongue meetings, I get you.
40:08And I think that you, while you may have spoken to us, I want to direct it to the inspectors
40:13of every police station in Trinidad and to be gone.
40:15By extension, you know, respectfully, I want to bring it to the attention of the commissioner and his executive,
40:20to every inspector in a police station should ensure that every officer in that station knows if there's a justice
40:28of the peace in the area,
40:29who's the doctors in the area, who's the vulnerable parents, who's the elderly, children in the area,
40:34and other matters that will be of importance, where the recreation ground is, and matters are low.
40:40In other words, I'm simply saying, know your community.
40:43And I think that's what you're asking for.
40:44And this is where that trust and confidence is going to be manifested,
40:47so that if there should be a crime or persons thinking about a crime, it will be easy for you
40:53to get the intelligence.
40:54And I think it's an excellent idea.
40:56It's an idea that has been hatched in deep philosophy.
41:00And I want to support you with that call you make and hope that the inspectors in the various stations
41:05recognize the importance where every single police should really have a flavor of community policing within them.
41:13Yes, well said.
41:14We'll take that break.
41:15We'll be back.
41:30Excuse me, excuse me.
41:35Excuse me, sir.
41:36Drop this.
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41:57For the investigations that matter most to TNT, turn to the team you trust.
42:01The TV6 News.
42:03We do the work to uncover the facts, ask the important questions,
42:06and report on the issues that impact your community and the nation at large.
42:10This is more than just news.
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42:16Delivering the hard-hitting investigations you rely on.
42:19The TV6 News.
42:21Revealing facts.
42:22Provoking opinions.
42:27What you can't see from this image is a man lying in a pool of blood in his living room.
42:32He was shot dead a short while ago as two bandits tried to rob him and his family.
42:38What you can't hear is his wife crying inconsolably.
42:43What you don't know is that his four-year-old daughter is standing looking at her father, confused, begging him
42:49to wake up.
42:50Can you imagine what this wife and child are going through and what they will have to go through?
42:55They try to process what has happened.
42:57How can we begin to help?
42:59We can start right here at the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
43:03From investigation to counseling.
43:05To helping families find justice.
43:08To helping families find peace.
43:12This unit gives victims and witnesses hope to cope.
43:16We are the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
43:19Bridging the service gap between the victims, witnesses and the police.
43:42And welcome back.
43:43It's Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
43:45Remember, you can give us a call.
43:46We have a caller on in line.
43:47Let's head to the phone.
43:48Let's call a good evening.
43:52Hello.
43:53Hello.
43:54Hi.
43:54Good evening.
43:55Hi.
43:56Good evening.
43:57I'm Mohammed.
43:59Don't forget your name.
44:00That is all right.
44:01With me.
44:02Yes.
44:03I'm Mr. Ali.
44:06Mr. Ali.
44:06Yes.
44:07I would like to give a suggestion.
44:10I know two of you were talking about this yesterday about getting hospitalized for children for young girls and so.
44:19Maybe we should suggest to the government that they focus on.
44:23$1,000 and $1,000 money and have like a session or two sessions a week for a certain age
44:30child in classes.
44:33You know?
44:34And they could talk to the psychiatrist or whoever who worked one or have a group at one time.
44:41And maybe children would be able to support these cultures and so that they might not do it otherwise.
44:48So I don't know if you're thinking about it and suggest it.
44:53Thank you so much.
44:55Thank you so much.
44:55Mr. Ali, this is something that I would have to say had privilege of having in my school.
45:01Yes.
45:02We had counselors.
45:03Yes.
45:03Now I don't know if that is happening.
45:05Now if we have enough, they understaff.
45:07I'm not sure.
45:08Well, you know, apart from counselors, we were exposed to guidance officers as well.
45:14I'm aware that there's the Student Support Services Division to the Ministry of Education, which should have some resources to
45:20be able to direct to the schools.
45:21But let us not be naive to understand that when we have crime and criminality and the level of violence
45:26in our nation's schools,
45:28sometimes you have to revisit that SSD to determine the effectiveness of it or whether in fact it is sufficient.
45:33And hence why, and I think, Kola, we are on the same page, and I want to thank you for
45:38your call and your suggestion.
45:40This is why we recognize that there's in fact a need for a support intervention.
45:45This is a very psychosocial intervention that we are speaking about.
45:48We'll help bolster what formal processes are in existence so that you have more psychologists, more criminologists coming on board,
45:56in some cases from a voluntary basis as well, recognizing that, listen, I have a percentage I need to give
46:02to Trinidad and Tobago.
46:03I have a percentage that I need to give to a school, and let's look at it.
46:06If you have psychologists and criminologists and social workers who may have been associated with a school, they went to
46:12that school,
46:13it's important now to say, okay, what can I do for that school?
46:16Let me revisit that school and make a contribution to the school that basically gives me an education.
46:21And that's the level of charitable thinking that we need, that when you talk about giving back,
46:26and I ask all professionals in Trinidad and Tobago that our time here is limited.
46:31We will not be here forever.
46:33And the schools, whether the primary, secondary, tertiary, that would have been there for you,
46:38would have contributed to your development, find the time to give back at least 5% at your convenience to
46:45the school
46:45and bring another one like you in Trinidad and Tobago.
46:48When we get that thinking, we are on our right way.
46:53Mr. Ali will also champion that they need to find space to put social workers because we have a lot
46:57of social workers who are studying
46:59and they have the qualifications, but they're not being hired.
47:04They need to hire them.
47:05We have another caller.
47:06Caller, good evening.
47:07Good evening, beyond your case.
47:09Good evening.
47:09I have a discussion today.
47:14I am not a psychologist or sociologist or a psychiatrist, but from experience, I think we have to introduce the
47:24concept of a disciplined life
47:27and all of the people that we want to inspire the young people.
47:32You see, obviously we have to get them to understand they must embrace a life of intentionality, self-mastery, and
47:40spiritual vigor.
47:41You have a direct relationship between discipline, success, and it is all the night well.
47:48Look at the physical health, the career, personal finances, friendships, marriage, class, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage,
47:55marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage, marriage.
47:55All the father's discipline and the opposite of discipline, you know what it is?
48:01From a character's perspective, addiction.
48:06So you see the connection.
48:09But more than that, and what you have to look at is that if you lack discipline in your life,
48:16it will be mature to addiction.
48:19But that will be packed on undisciplined aspects of your life and the filter that comes with addiction are probably
48:29already gone to take root into the bedroom.
48:33And I'm sorry, Mr. Ali, you have to speak, it is enough to be a responsibility of what you know.
48:39It will be that again, it takes about taking and doing what you have to do and what you have
48:44to do and what you have to do and what you have to do.
48:45And it's not just coming out of, and it's starring out of the individual.
48:49But this, it has to be sought, without being paid, without being corrected.
48:54Right.
49:08Thank you so much, Kola.
49:10Thank you very much, Kola.
49:11You know, Kola, you know, you're open by indicating that while you may not be a psychologist, a criminologist, and
49:16so forth, social worker,
49:17what you have brought to the table is something very significant as well.
49:19And, you know, persons who have good testimony, Whitney, persons who may have been tried and tested, you know, they
49:27can share very important experiences.
49:29And I think that this also has a place in our education system that, and I'm going to repeat it,
49:35we talk about our school being a microcosm of society.
49:37Why we use that term? Why we use that terminology?
49:40Because it's saying to us that we all are connected there.
49:43We came from there.
49:44Correct. And I'm happy that you said that, Kola.
49:47And I know you have stressed on discipline.
49:49I basically was counting.
49:51You use the word discipline at least eight times in your contribution.
49:55And it means that for you to use our word discipline, there's significance.
49:59There's a lot of significance in that.
50:01And when you look at the National School Code of Conduct 2026, which I've given and undertaken to the Army
50:06of the Ministry of Education,
50:07I'm going to deal with it in an extensive and deep way to ensure that every stakeholder,
50:13because it impacts students, parents, guidance officers, and the general public is binded, or I should say, is governed by
50:21that document,
50:22you're on the right track in terms of alerting the society about the importance of discipline in every aspect of
50:27our life.
50:28If I come on this program, I do not treat you with kind courtesy.
50:30How can we share this partnership?
50:32Yeah.
50:32It's going to be a strained partnership.
50:34It's going to be a rumble.
50:34And I'm happy that you brought that advice as well.
50:37So thank you.
50:38I salute you for that.
50:38And I look forward to an engagement.
50:41Those who call in, don't fear to reach out to me,
50:44because you may have something very important to offer in an in-person context in one of the engagements.
50:51All right.
50:52We are back to the phone lines.
50:53We have a caller.
50:53Caller, good evening.
50:55Hello.
50:56Good afternoon.
50:57Hi.
50:57Good evening.
51:18Good evening.
51:52Thank you so much.
51:53Thank you very much for your kind feedback as always.
51:56And, you know, your position for us to be careful in how we consider application for firearms.
52:03Very significant point.
52:04Correct.
52:04And the level of responsibility that is required, the due diligence that is required.
52:08So while everyone may have an opportunity or right to apply, your application, there's no right to earn if I
52:15am.
52:16So your attributes are significant.
52:18So I want to agree with you because if you're looking at our society as well, you have to be
52:21careful with the habits.
52:24Yes.
52:24And the way that persons are behaving.
52:26So, you know, it's something that we need to be mindful of.
52:29Very mindful and we need to be very careful in how we are approaching it.
52:31It's in no way depriving anybody of an opportunity to apply.
52:36But, you know, every application will have to be determined on its merits.
52:40Yes.
52:41We have another caller.
52:42Caller, good evening.
52:43Hi.
52:43Pleasant good evening, Mr. Osborne.
52:45Good evening.
52:46Good afternoon to you.
52:46Good evening to you, sir.
52:47My concern is, right, for the past 10 years, 24 crime-fighting legislation has been brought to Parliament that was
52:57rejected either abstained, right?
53:01And these crime-fighting, you know, that was brought legislation, turned out to the Bail Amendment Bill.
53:10Five MPs have been called the Macarran.
53:12And because of these five MPs, the Bail Amendment Bill was cut.
53:17Right?
53:18But my issue is, how even, what are the great work all you doing?
53:24There were people with 19 masters before the court that was getting bailed.
53:29Right?
53:30But every single time every one of these legislation was brought to Parliament, it was abstained.
53:35By the same individual law, where the shoes are on the other foot, have a big, big issue and it's
53:42constantly bringing the ass to it.
53:45Now, if these legislations were passed, I could guarantee you most of these problems that we faced in our citizens,
53:52was not going to be existing.
53:55You know, but my thing is, how none of the, even the commissioner come right down, is not asking the
54:03Parliament, or the government, to pass this legislation that all you, who do, you know, this, this great job, officer.
54:11All you're doing a hell of a great job, but it is, it is sickening to see somebody come now,
54:18you hold them to death tomorrow, you walk in the road and watch that, or they're laughing.
54:22You know, you know, it's just a petty crime that people can look up for Montyland, so that, that is
54:29minus for competition, what we've seen, look at people getting rid more and more, more, more, more, every single day.
54:37All right, thank you so much, Kola, Mr. Ali.
54:39Well, again, Kola, thank you very much.
54:41You know, that bail has always been a sensitive area, and, you know, I have looked at that in context,
54:45and I've looked at that in a 360.
54:48Prosecution, judicial officers, even where the accused is concerned, and I'm saying that, while we're speaking legislation, enforcement of legislation
54:55is strictly important, or just as important, because you can have a very strong piece of law with me, but
55:01if there's no enforcement, and what is enforcement in a bail application?
55:04If our application is made for bail, prosecution should be giving their best foot in relation to the objection on
55:10a bail, and the judicial officer should always be recognized at where the balance of interest lies in terms of
55:15looking at, yes, a presumption of innocence, but looking at the public interest in terms of safety and security.
55:20So, enforcement with the stakeholders is extremely important, but it's an area, again, must be looked at, perhaps having a
55:28team set up to review especially fire matters, fire matters, kidnappings, and these serious anti-gang matters, to really pay
55:36attention to how the court is negotiating this bail application, and whether, in fact, they are doing it properly.
55:42If not, let's head up and review them at the higher courts, and we need to set up systems so
55:47that persons have the confidence to challenge the process, but your point is taken.
55:52I was hoping that you would have identified from me the list of legislation that you have identified, perhaps to
55:58revisit them, where I set this policy, but perhaps on another occasion, or you could send it to Jackie, and
56:02I'll be willing to have a look at it.
56:04We have less than 10 seconds, Mr. Ali, speak to the public.
56:08I will say straight, Whitney, that Trinidad and Tobago, that once we have breath and we are alive, we can
56:16make a contribution. May God bless all of us.
56:18Thank you so much, Mr. Ali, for being here with us, of course, to inform us, educate us, and guide
56:23us accordingly through the laws of the land of Trinidad and Tobago, because I know sometimes we get confused with
56:29the jargon that is used with the lawmakers themselves,
56:33but we are able to learn. We get ready for your news coming up next at 7. We will have
56:38ASP Russell back with us once again tomorrow, God's Prayer Life. We will see you tomorrow. Take care and be
56:43a heart target. We're out.
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