00:00The Prime Minister has dismissed criticism of the new security initiative,
00:04arguing that increased law enforcement is needed in communities affected by gang violence and violent crime.
00:11She also accused the opposition of opposing measures intended to strengthen national security
00:16and reduce criminal influence in vulnerable communities.
00:20She wrote to Facebook saying, quote,
00:22Why complain about the 13 new joint army police posts across the country
00:26when you should be complaining about the drug blocks that your local drug mafia friends are running across the country,
00:33poisoning our children, end quote.
00:35Basad Vaisasa went on to defend the deployment strategy,
00:38maintaining that the security posts are being placed where they are needed the most.
00:42She argued that communities with longstanding crime challenges deserve greater protection and support from the security services.
00:50She said, quote,
01:04The Prime Minister also accused the opposition of failing to support efforts to combat organized crime
01:11and claimed political attacks have overshadowed the government's crime-fighting agenda.
01:16She ended her statement by condemning what she described as racial hostility directed at her administration.
01:22Basad Vaisasa said, quote,
01:24PNM MPs and supporters are so full of hatred and racism that they would prefer their stronghold constituencies
01:30and their children's future to continue to be destroyed by the local drug mafia
01:35rather than cooperate with the security services and the Cooley Prime Minister, end quote.
01:41The Prime Minister's comments came after opposition leader Penelope Beckles questioned the legal authority,
01:47funding and implementation of the government's plan to establish 38 joint police and army posts across the country.
01:54Ravishita Mori Ruknarain, TV6 News.
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