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Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley discloses a letter to Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, calling on her to share the united national congress’ crime-fighting plans.

It came as he departed for New York yesterday, to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General assembly.

Last Thursday, Dr. Rowley signaled his intent to write to Mrs. Persad-Bissessar to meet with her, and have talks on dealing with the crime scourge in this country.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar immediately noted, that since April she had publicly issued a call for a meeting with the Prime Minister and she reiterated that her team is ready, willing and able to meet.

In his letter dated September 16^th. Dr. Rowley requested that the opposition’s crime-fighting plans be submitted in writing, followed by a meeting with four members from the opposition and government sides, respectively.

He said, these teams will be guided by a crafted agenda formed on joint submissions, which he anticipates they could have in hand within the coming fortnight.

Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes tells of delapidated conditions at two schools in her district.

The situation has shut down a Primary School and placed students of a Secondary School on a rotational schedule.

The two schools affected are Happy Hill Hindu School and Gasparillo Secondary School.

Ms. Haynes says, she has witnessed the condition of the schools with her own eyes.

Speaking with News Center Five yesterday, she lamented the closure of the Happy Hill Hindu School and the concerns raised by parents of students.

The Gasparillo Secondary Miss Haynes said, 18 classrooms have been affected by the closure of Block B.

Ms. Haynes said, the lack of communication by the Ministry of Education, on the matters has prompted a request for the Freedom of Information Act, to find out the status of repairs at the many affected schools.

The second runner up in the Miss grand Trinidad and Tobago Pageant says, she was unaware of the nationality criterion for entrants to the pageant.

Rebkah Hislop, who represented St. Joseph says, she saw the eventual winner as her competitor and no more.

Miss Hislop was the runner up to newly crowned controversial Venezuelan national, Mileidy Materano at the local leg of the competition last Sunday night at Movie Town.

Speaking with News Centre Five yesterday, Miss Hislop stayed clear of any controversy.

Miss Hislop also said, she is ready to serve if and when called up to do so as she has been training for this role for some time.

The Prime Minister says, his legal team is looking into a newspaper article on the issue involving former Sports Minister Daryl Smith.

The article published in the Express yesterday under the headline, disclose Darryl Smith sex report…High Court rules office of PM’s decision unlawful, unfair.

The article says, The Office of the Prime Minister has been directed by the high court to reconsider a request made by Dr. Devant Maharaj, to disclose the report into allegations of sexual misconduct by former Sport Minister Darryl Smith.

It says, the report was prepared by a three-member investiga­tive committee, into allegations of sexual misconduct by the former People’s National Movement Government Sport Minister.

The article says, Justice Nadia Kangaloo made the order after Mr. Maharaj, a former Transport Minister in the People’s Partnership Administration, brought legal proceedings challen­ging the decision of the PM’s office in march 2019 to not disclose the report.

But, in response, Prime Minister Rowley says, his legal team is looking into the matter.

He says, his dismissal of Daryl Smith from his cabinet was in no way connected to allegations against the former Sports Minister.

Dr. Keith Rowley says, his decision was based on the Minister’s conduct in relation to, the internal workings of the ministry he was placed in charge of.

He says, has seen no court order so he is unable to comment on that at the moment.

Prime Minister Rowley says, all his information on the issue comes from the newspaper article on which he has sought legal advice.

He was responding to reporters at the post-cabinet media briefing yesterday.

Police officers faced with any form of stress, and or depression is advised to seek help.

This advice comes from their representing Police Social and Welfare Association.

The association says, there are systems in place within the TTPS to deal with such issues.

President ASP Gideon Dickson made the call, following the murder suicide involving two police officers at their home in Edinburg-500 Chaguanas on Tuesday afternoon.

Woman police constable Josette Marshall is believed to have shot her common law husband, constable Dwight Skeete several times, killing him instantly.

She then put the licensed gun to her head and pulled the trigger.

Neighbours who heard the gunshots found their bodies.

Yesterday ASP Dickson said, investigations into the tragedy are continuing.

 He said this does not mean a work/life balance cannot be attained

According to reports, WPC Marshall was depressed and applied for leave, but was denied.

However, ASP Dickson said, this is not true.

He says the mental health of officers is a top priority for his association.

The National Security Minister takes aim at the purchase of legal guns.

Fitzgerald Hinds yesterday, addressed the passing out parade for 96 new recruits at the St. James barracks.

He said, organized crime is the catalyst for many of the unwanted ills in the society which they have turned into a business

The Minister assured everything is being done to minimize home invasions.

He claimed, 132 people have already been taken in by the police in the last nine months.

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher was again telling of the criticisms officers face.

She warned them against joining the noise.

Commissioner Harewood-Christopher said, time is changing the types of crimes being committed.

Newly appointed Independent Senator Helon Francis says, he is viewing his new role as an opportunity to serve his country.

The youngest member of the bench took his oath of office in the parliament on Monday.

Yesterday, Mr. Francis, an artist and calypsonian, said, he plans to continue performing.

He is a former monarch.

Mr. Francis said, what he does is for the people and so too this opportunity to serve.

He was speaking with News Center Five yesterday.

The Trinidad and Tobago police service is now said, to be in mourning after the suspected murder suicide involving Josette Marshall shot her husband, acting corporal Dwight Skeete before turning the gun on herself.

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher is saddened.

In a statement yesterday afternoon, she explained how police became aware of the suspected murder suicide.

Commissioner Harewood Christopher said, officers discovered the two bodies after they were called to the house on the corner of, Opal and Kestrel Boulevard Edinburg 500 Chaguanas.

She said, there is no motive yet for the deadly incident.