April 27, 2023

Kamla Urges PM To Reconsider Gary’s Offer To Join Crime Fight

By Newsroom

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar has called on the Prime Minister to reconsider his refusal of former Top Cop Gary Griffith’s invitation to collaborate in the fight against crime.

In the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said as Chairman of the National Security Council, he had good reason not to engage the former Top Cop on matters of crime.

“Madame Speaker, as chairman of the National Security Council of Trinidad and Tobago, I have very good reasons not to meet with Gary Griffith under any circumstances. And in so far as meeting with the Opposition is concerned, I meet with them all the time in this chamber in front of you, Madame Speaker, and they have obstructed every single attempt we made to fight crime in this country,” PM Rowley said in response to a question from Naparima MP Rodney Charles.

Responding to his comments in a statement on Thursday afternoon, Persad Bissessar said crime does not discriminate or care about political affiliations.

“The victims and perpetrators of crime span all political affiliations, ethnicities, religions, social standings, and income levels. No matter which sector of society we identify with, we must have the humility to accept this fact, put aside emotions and work together for all our citizens. All citizens must equally feel safe in Trinidad and Tobago,” the Opposition Leader said. 

She added: “The current crime crisis demands that all leaders in our country exercise humility and prudence to protect our citizens. Therefore, I again request that Keith Rowley reconsider his refusal to the offers of cooperation from the UNC and all other interested and willing stakeholders in our country to address this crime crisis.”

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