As far as I’m aware, scratch bombs are illegal. Furthermore, the use of fireworks is prohibited in residential areas. It can be surmised therefore, that the use of scratch bombs as well as the use of fireworks in residential areas constitute breaking the law and as such, committing a crime.
My layman’s understanding of all this is that once a crime has been committed, the perpetrator or perpetrators are held accountable to the authorities for their actions.
Assuming that this is so, why would several calls by more than one citizen to the police regarding the use of scratch bombs and fireworks in Lange Park, Chaguanas be ignored?
The response from the police was one of a total lack of concern and scorn almost for what must seem to them to be a crime of no real consequence or significance.
If there is no mandate to seriously address what can be loosely termed “petty” crimes, what message are perpetrators receiving regarding the law and its enforcement? It tells perpetrators loud and clear that it’s okay to break the law because it’s a “small thing” and there is no need to fear any consequences for their actions.
This thinking is encouraged by parents and facilitated by the authorities as it breeds and fosters a lack of respect and regard for what is right from wrong. Furthermore, it cultivates a mindset of absolute disrespect, which as can be seen in our society, continues to escalate and flourish from the little ones up.
Why then do we complain or demand justice for “larger” crimes running rampant in T&T? These “larger” crimes should be of no concern also as they are built and structured on the blatant permissiveness of the “smaller” crimes. The “smaller” crimes provide the foundation for our ignoring right from wrong and give the impetus and “legitimacy” to our thinking and actions.
If we can see that dealing seriously with the small crimes, which, incidentally, I don’t regard as small at all, then maybe people will respect the fact that the laws of a country need to be upheld and it is the duty of every citizen to ensure that this is so.
I will end by making my usual plea for the elimination of fireworks from the hands of private citizens and the total eradication of scratch bombs. I don’t see how noise and terror can be celebratory as I am forced to endure a destructive and distressing experience without recourse.
Ley-Ann Sui