The PNM’s decision to grant Erla Harewood-Christopher a one (1) year extension is a slap in the face of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and a clear indication of the PNM’s interest in protecting criminals at the cost of innocent lives.
She is very simply one of the worst Commissioners of Police ever in the world and her performance is nothing but underwhelming.
It is no surprise that the editorials in today’s three daily newspapers have condemned and questioned the Government’s decision to reappoint Christopher.
Under Erla Harewood-Christopher, crime has worsened to depths unprecedented with businesses and workers being robbed, innocent lives being lost and our citizens living in anxiety.
“Erla the Error” has been catastrophic for business and labour. John Henry, the Chief Executive Officer of Crystal Waters Beverage Company, was brutally murdered. Businessman Richard Ramkissoon from D’Abadie, was murdered along with his dogs. Steve Harding, a shop owner from Diego Martin, was strangled to death and in the mini- mart, murders in Penal, Radik Ajodha and Jenelle Thompson lost their lives in a shooting. The list goes on and on.
In my own community of Couva, arson has been on the rise with Tyrone Foster of the Exchange Housing Development, his uncle Lester Foster and even business HSM Motors falling victim to arsonists. Buddy George and his sons Marcus and Jeremiah from Couva were killed “execution style”. Police officer Marlon Mitchell was shot outside a bar on the Southern Main Road and, yesterday, police officer Dale Myers was killed while off duty at a bar. Bank employee Shermell Roberts was yesterday ambushed and killed and the lifeless body of sixteen (16) year old Saurav Nanan of Sangre Grande was discovered in bushes. All of those examples occurred within the past year under Erla Harewood-Christopher’s watch with many other examples having taken place.
Even in the once peaceful Tobago, where Prime Minister Rowley, Shamfa Cudjoe- Lewis and their Les Coteaux jumbies are from, innocent blood is being shed like never before. The body of Nikeisha Sandy from Plymouth was found; the second for the month of May and the eight murder on the island for the year. Even the intellectually vacuous and politically morbid Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds acknowledged recently that crime from Trinidad had been spilling into Tobago like never before.
It is clear that the PNM does not care about performance. It is clear that the PNM does not care about safety.
It clear that Erla Harewood-Christopher has not been protecting the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The question is, who has Erla Harewood-Christopher really been protecting?
If “Catastrophe Christopher” has not been able secure the country, then what is the real reason for her extension?
If crime has worsened under “Erla the Error”, then what criteria is the PNM Government using to determine her reappointment?
The businessmen, workers and citizens at large are traumatized not just because of criminals, but because of Erla’s prayers, which seem to not have reached the ears of whomever she was praying to.
Under the United National Congress Governments, significant progress was made in the fight against crime. From the construction of new police stations to the proposed allowance for families of police officers dying on the job to the introduction of the Community Comfort Patrol, and the creation of the E999 Rapid Response system the UNC was proactive, targeted and strategic in our approach to crime fighting and was moving steadily towards achieving results.
The only possibility of a safer Trinidad and Tobago is with a new Commissioner of Police and with a UNC Government.
This PNM is shameless to impose “Erla the Error”, “Catastrophe Christopher” upon this country for another year.
Respectfully submitted
RUDRANATH INDARSINGH
Member of Parliament for Couva South and SHADOW RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR and TOBAGO AFFAIRS.
681-2525, rudranath43@gmail.com