Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the upsurge in murders continues to be a matter of concern for the Government and has assured that the fight against crime remains the “number one priority” for the People’s Partnership. The current murder toll, as of December 13, stood at 393, following the murders of cousins Eric Ruiz, 33, and Keron Ruiz, 29 and Eric’s girlfriend, Teneka Bartholomew, 23, on Friday in Valencia.
Gunmen opened fire on the three victims while they were seated in the living room of a house at Eastern Main Road in Valencia. Persad-Bissessar, speaking with reporters on Saturday afternoon during her annual Christmas Toy Drive at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, said National Security Minister Gary Griffith has a number of initiatives in the fight against crime.
However, she noted: “Every murder is a horrendous thing, every murder should not happen therefore the increasing numbers we have been seeing over the past few days is a cause for concern.” The Prime Minister said even though there has been a number of killings, “serious crimes has decreased by a great percentage. Of course, that is not a fast (enough) response.”
Persad-Bissessar, who is also Minister of the People and Social Development, said she would have to look into why the opening of the long awaited National Centre for Persons with Disabilities in Carlsen Field Chaguanas has been cancelled. The $15 million centre, which was started under former minister Glenn Ramadharsingh, was expected to be formally opened this week. However, the opening was cancelled and no new date was given.
Persad-Bissessar said the centre was not ready to be fully opened with the equipment and staffing. But she assured it will be opened soon.