Political will crucial element in successful crime fight, says analyst
One political analyst says the relationship between crime and politics will come under a microscope over the coming months as the country gets closer to the 2025 General Election.
And Derek Ramsamooj maintains that while citizens should expect the State to play its part in the crime fight, private citizens and corporate T&T also need to play their part.
The political analyst notes that a major challenge for any administration is to what extent citizens take responsibility for what is happening in their respective communities, crime-wise, and how that criminality is spreading not just in terms of geographical spaces (i.e. criminals moving from Trinidad to Tobago and vice versa), but also social and economic sectors.
“If you look at the level of white-collar criminality that exists in our society, and the leadership that is required to use the resources of the State, I think that is where the challenge is,” he observes.
“How does the political leadership of this country—both the official Opposition and the official Government forces,” he notes, “come together to basically hammer out an acceptable solution that can be implemented by Central Government, as well as regional or the THA level of governance?”
According to Derek Ramsooj, a successful crime fight goes beyond putting more police officers on the ground or incorporating the latest crime fighting and security technologies.
He asserts that political will is essential if this country is to see any serious reduction in crime.
“You have to debunk the politics of the criminality to see whether or not the leadership is doing what is required for that type of transition to be made,” Ramsamooj stated.
“What we have, unfortunately, are people in politics who proclaim to be politicians who are self-serving in their personal interest,” he observed, “as opposed to doing what is required for the country at large.”
Ramsamooj asserts that political parties must become relevant to the governance of the country.
He also points out that the time required for consultations on Constitutional Reform should be expanded, to ensure more people are involved in the process.
The political analyst was a guest on today’s edition of CNC3’s The Morning Brew show.
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