First woman to be charged for escape
Latifah Augustine
The minister has a history of speaking to those who try to run from their problems in life. And perhaps he would also speak to people similar to twenty-one year old Latifah Augustine, the first woman to be tried for the offense of escape. Augustine is the first female to be tried for escape as an indictable matter, and she appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Dale Cayetano this morning, where an initial charge of escape from lawful custody was committed to the Supreme Court. Augustine is accused of breaking away from police custody on November third, 2012 whilst at the Queen Street Police Station for assaulting an officer and drinking in public. According to a report by Sergeant Titus Parham, while on duty he was informed that Latifah Augustine had been placed in a female holding cell. When he checked the cell moments later he discovered that she was nowhere in sight. She was recaptured two days later in the vicinity of Youth For the Future. The student, a resident of East Collet Canal, whose surety had expired, was granted bail in the sum of three thousand dollars which she could not meet by noon today. Augustine will stand trial in the April session of the Supreme Court.
If we are going to impose punishment on this young woman for escaping, then we must also impose punishment on the officer for loosing his prisoner. If the officers had properly secure the prisoner, then we would not be listening to this story. Efficiency…..accountability ……consistency is needed from our peace officers.
Let’s start with Latifah being a student. Where was she recapture? Near her school. Great sign she is interested in learning. Fine her for public intoxication, give some community service. But don’t lock her for that stupid offense. There are much bigger fish to fry. Barrow, I challenges you to resolve this issue promptly.