00:00The opposition leader says the government cannot be seeking a further extension of the state of emergency in this country
00:06if it says murders and other crime statistics are down.
00:09However, the prime minister says the government's plan going forward will be revealed
00:14after a meeting of the National Security Council about the state of emergency, which she declares is a success.
00:20Jule Brown reports.
00:22We know it's next week. That's when the deadline, that's the deadline, when it expires.
00:28My concern is that you had the end of the first state of emergency and hundreds of people were just
00:35released.
00:36We are going to have the end next week and it's going to be identical.
00:40Opposition leader Penelope Beckles actually spoke with the media
00:42after having attended at the opening of the 2026-2027 law term at the Hall of Justice in Port of
00:48Spain.
00:49The opposition leader made reference to a previous administration which was led by the UNC.
00:53That during the period 2010, when this government got into office, within one year,
01:00at state of emergency, almost 9,000 people were arrested and less than 10% were charged
01:07and even less than that were convicted.
01:10The state, the taxpayers had to pay millions of dollars.
01:14And I give you the assurance that based on what they have done with their state of emergency,
01:20that taxpayers will be paying people again millions of dollars.
01:23The opposition leader said the opposition MPs are waiting to see what happens
01:27following the resumption of sittings of the parliament on Friday.
01:31I mean, we supported it the first time, but on the second occasion, they gave absolutely no justification.
01:37And I mean, if you are telling us, based on your data now, you have 45% reduction in murders
01:42and you're giving the impression that, I mean, you are doing so good as it relates to crime,
01:48then clearly, you can't be coming and ask for a next state of emergency.
01:52So, but we await and see what their position is.
01:54Prime Minister Kamala Pusab-Busasa, whose administration has insisted that the state of emergency is justified,
02:00also spoke with the media after the law term opening.
02:04No, we will have a meeting of the council on Thursday and we'll let you know thereafter.
02:10TV6 News asked the Prime Minister if she considers the state of emergency to be a success.
02:16I think it has been very successful.
02:18Maybe it's not the best thing to do, but it was very successful.
02:22And when you watch your numbers, the numbers are very clear, numbers don't lie.
02:26TV6 News also sought clarification from the Prime Minister regarding the constitutional requirement,
02:31but for the continuation of the state of emergency.
02:34For clarification, Prime Minister just for clarification, would that require an additional extension in support of the members of the
02:40House and the Senate?
02:41I will not speculate on that. I'll let you know on Thursday what the plan is.
02:47We continue to be concerned.
02:49It is very clear that the crime stats are down.
02:52Anybody with ICC will see the numbers are down, down, down in every regard, in every division.
02:59So I'll let you know on Thursday after the National Security Council meeting.
03:03The Prime Minister chairs the National Security Council.
03:06Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
