The crime situation in this country is ridiculous. Daily our sense of security is assaulted by newspapers report of murders, robberies, automobile hijackings or kidnappings. If we could afford it we will all live behind intricately designed prison styled windows and doors. It is called burglar proofing but it can also be called self imposed incarceration. That’s not funny.
In Trinidad, insurance companies mandate that every new vehicle be equipped with latest anti-theft security device. Crime has really never been more pervasive in this country. According to figures supplied by the Police’s Crime and Problem Analysis Branch there were 6,941 serious crimes in 2008. Amazingly for the first six months in 2009 there have been 8,010 serious crimes with an average detection rate of .09%. Fingers points to the police.

Some brilliant bowling by Dave Mohammed, a spectacular show of form with the bat by William Perkins, great captaincy by Darren Ganga and a great team effort on the whole basically describes Trinidad and Tobago's magnificent victory in the finals of the Stanford 20/20 II Tournament. After winning the toss, Darren Ganga decided to put the Jamaicans in to bat and his decision was a fine one. Some spectacular bowling by Dave Mohammed and Riad Emrit and a fine piece of fielding by Dwayne Bravo had the Jamaicans reeling and they were eventually all out for 91 in 16.4 overs. When T and T had their turn at the crease the victory became almost imminent. A fine knock of 50 not out off just 33 balls by William Perkins and supporting knocks of 11 off 5 by Dinesh Ramdin and 26 not out off 18 balls by Lendl Simmons sealed the victory for Trinidad and Tobago.

Left for dead just metres away from anti-crime rally

IN a brutal and ironic twist, a homeless man was badly beaten and left for dead metres away from where an anti-crime rally was being held at Victoria Square, Port of Spain, yesterday afternoon.

Some participants in the march, which was organised by YEStt and the Tunapuna Action Group, said they found a man clad in a dark blue jersey and maroon sweatpants lying on the pavement outside the Radio Trinbago 94.7FM building around 1.45 p.m., after some of them left the area protest on hearing police sirens.

Downtown Owners and Merchants Association president Gregory Aboud yesterday suggested that Government delay the timetable for the achievement of Vision 2020 to 2025 or 2030.

Based on statistical data, 2020 was not a realistic time frame, he contended.

Local Government Minister Hazel Manning rejected the idea, saying that Government was determined to stick with its plans for developed country status by 2020.

"We should stick with 2020. We should stretch ourselves. If we don't do that, we would never get it done. It is a challenge for us and we need to understand that and step up to the plate. If we just keep pushing back the time, we are not going to do it," she said.

Manning said unlike Aboud, who was more pessimistic, she was "hopeful and excited".