PM urges homeowners to consider panic buttons

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has revealed that she has a panic button installed in her private home, and is encouraging other homeowners to consider doing the same.

Speaking during a public consultation on the stand your ground legislation at her constituency office in Penal last night, Persad-Bissessar, the MP for Siparia, described the device as an inexpensive but effective tool for personal safety.

 “If you don’t have CCTV cameras, you don’t have anything, anytime you are worried, you just press that button and the whole place is noise, like a siren blaring,” she said.  “We did that at our home … so I am saying it is not so expensive to do. So maybe you can consider that until we get the criminals safely locked away and behind bars.”

The Prime Minister assured that the State of Emergency is working and admitted, “but it does take time.”

Her comments came as several residents at the consultation shared personal stories of crime, and the measures they have taken to protect themselves.

One woman, who requested anonymity, said her family members had been victims of crime spanning 40 years. She recalled that her grandparents were brutally attacked during a home invasion in 2014 and both later died. Supporting the legislation, she said there is nothing greater than being able to protect themselves and their families.

Another victim, who also requested anonymity, recounted that his wife and daughter were almost raped after four bandits stormed their home. He expressed disappointment that the perpetrators were only sentenced to two years in prison and urged residents to install a bunker or safety room in their homes.

Penal resident Narase Samaroo welcomed the legislation, saying it would give citizens the right to “whoop” assailants who break into their homes. He said he and his wife have invested heavily in security measures, including CCTV cameras, alarm systems, night security lights, and even a Rottweiler.

Samaroo also described an incident in which his cousin, a licensed firearm holder, hesitated to defend herself during a break-in because she feared the law would not protect her actions.