Crime is no longer a National Problem it is a National Catastrophe.

Addressing the Catastrophic Crime Situation during a Rotary Luncheon in February

Today if any citizen says to you that they feel safe in our country that would be the furthest statement from the truth. The fact is, based on crime figures none of our citizens are safe whether they are young, old, man, woman, and child, rich or poor.

Even worse there seems to be no sanctuary away from this crime scourge as our Young Girls are being murdered in stores, on the way to school, mothers are being murdered while driving on the highway or entering their homes, individuals are even being murdered on the Compounds of Police stations while even churches are being robbed.

38 murders in 24 days says to us that Crime is longer a National Problem it is a National Catastrophe. We have reached the point of total lawlessness and on the brink of moral decay.
What those in authority have failed to understand is the far-reaching effects of crime. Crime doesn’t only affect the families of victims it affects our businesses and economic growth, it affects the morals of our citizens, it affects our ability to move forward as a people, a community and a nation.

But what has been the response of those in authority; it was only weekend that the Media Reported Minister Stuart Young saying it is the fault of the Opposition.

I would like to remind him just as his colleagues such as the Minister of Finance reminds us each week in Parliament; the Opposition isn’t in charge but those on the Government bench are.

Crime must never be politicised but the fact remains that the Government, being the holder of the public purse and the institution with legitimate charge of our nation’s resources are the ones to direct the proper utilisation of these resources via Policy implementation to address the issues affecting our nation.

We in the Opposition based on the limited powers of lobbying remain committed to the fight against crime at all cost. For the past months the Opposition has sought the Government's indulgence to discuss crime through Definite Urgent Matters, Questions and even in the Debate on the motion to Appoint a member to the PSC the opposition attempted to raise the issue of crime but on every single instance the Government has used the standing orders to flee from every single discussion on making a safer nation for our citizens.

Pointe a Pierre News

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Statements of National Interest from Pointe a Pierre MP David Lee