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Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said yesterday she intends to taking the “strongest, most aggressive approach possible” to rid Trinidad and Tobago of criminal elements as well as “those who direct, fund, influence or otherwise support these nefarious activities”.

Addressing a sod turning ceremony for a new police station in Arima, east of here, Persad Bissessar said that her administration has provided “lots of funds” in the fight against crime since it came to office 16   months ago.

She said in addition to strengthening the various law enforcement agencies her administration has not shied away from taking drastic measures including “imposing a state of emergency and limited curfew.

“The situation requires decisive leadership and I intend to provide just that. I will not stand idly by while the nation is held to ransom by those bent on creating havoc and mayhem sometimes with the support of those with their own devious agendas.

“Let there be no mistake, while we are a kinder, gentler and more compassionate government with the people’s interest always at heart, I intend to take the strongest, most aggressive approach possible to rid this country of the criminal elements and any of those who direct, fund, influence or otherwise support these nefarious activities.”

The Prime Minister, whose administration announced a state of emergency on Sunday to deal with the rising crime situation, especially murders, said ‘no one will be exempt from the action we take at any level of the society.

“ I have committed myself and the government I lead towards the objective of cleaning up the streets and the offices from those involved in illegal activity. Lawlessness must become a thing of the past. We need to become a more disciplined society, traditional values must be restored, respect for authority starting in the schools must be rekindled.”

But the prime minister told the ceremony that it should not only be left to the government to achieve a more peaceful country adding “as a member of your community, in every sphere of life you are accountable to the society that you are a part of and what this country becomes depends largely upon your behaviour, your own moral standards, your own convictions…”

She applauded the police following the detention of 22 gang members and leaders on Tuesday as well as the seizure of weapons following a gun battle with law enforcement units in which three bandits were killed.

“Do you have any idea what it means when these elements are no longer a threat to innocent citizens? I watched a video of the police carrying out the raids and I cannot adequately express the pride I felt in the manner in which they carried out their duties.

Source: Nation News Barbados