I WOULD argue that the police need fewer vehicles. What is required is more police on foot in populated areas. This is community policing at its best and was successful in the past here and elsewhere.

The police’s presence alone is a significant deterrent- not a passing police car, which once it has left leaves the criminal element to go about its bidding.

I recently travelled to Panama City, which is an appropriate comparison as the city has an impressive skyline; but make no mistake, you are in Latin America-with slums and migrant cities visible just off the highways en route from the airport and around the edges of the city. However, crime in the city is low thanks to a strong presence of law enforcement on most city blocks and in shopping areas (police or army-I could not tell).

The takeaway is that we can make this work here (as it does every Carnival when the police are on foot).

I would also argue that our army could be better put to use just by being present in our cities and towns. Whilst the army is very important for national emergencies, we cannot only see the army once a year parading on Independence Day; let’s make use of this resource as the crime situation is a national emergency.

C Alexander Port of Spain