3 months ago
11
Stories by Elizabeth Gonzales
Tobago Correspondent
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is calling on the police in Tobago to use heavy force and all available tactics to tackle the surge in gang and gun violence on the island. Tobago has recorded 19 murders for the year so far.
And, even as Tobagonians have been complaining about roadblock exercises, Augustine told police officers to turn the island upside down to find those responsible for the bloodshed.
Speaking to the media yesterday, he called for immediate and decisive action by the T&T Police Service (TTPS). This includes taking “radical and serious action” to dismantle drug blocks and shut down businesses facilitating them. Augustine even called for families to put out relatives involved in criminal activities.
“We have been talking too much, we have had too many meetings and strategies and plans that have not been fully executed, and we need to get it executed.”
Augustine was visibly frustrated as he pointed out the latest murder in Argyle that could have been tragic for innocent children. He was referring to the killing of Beetham resident Amanda “Dolly Boss” Guerra on Monday. Lamenting the historic murder toll under his watch, Augustine said now that the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has done its part in supporting the police, he is demanding tangible results.
“I am at the point where I am saying to the TTPS that the island as a whole is becoming a little impatient and really wants to see the fruits of their strategy sooner rather than later.”
He said crime was out of control, and with 19 murders in just eight months, it appears the police are losing their fight. As a result, he is calling for an immediate crackdown on illegal activities, particularly those disguising their operations behind legitimate businesses.
He added, “We need to clean up some of those that are selling water and juices and behind they have more than 30 grammes trying to sell.”
Augustine issued a strong warning to those involved in criminal activities, making it clear they are not welcome in Tobago. “You are not welcome here. Stay where you belong. Don’t come if you know you are involved in criminal activity, you are not welcome. We don’t want you in our place.”
He called on the police to get the job done, criticising the lack of execution of previous plans and strategies.
“We have to get radical and serious, and the kind of action that the Tobago public is saying we want to see from our TTPS is a kind of action that is forceful, decisive, and not too tired and iffy.”
He was referring to measures announced in May after the island recorded its tenth murder. At that time, Augustine announced plans to establish a THA Police under the Department of Public Safety by the end of 2024. Other measures by the THA to tackle crime included fostering closer relationships between the police and the public, developing and implementing safety plans, conducting public awareness campaigns and anti-crime events, and registering unemployed people for training and job placement.
Following a National Security Council meeting hosted by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and members of the TTPS executive in Tobago, a new anti-crime plan was formed.
The new anti-crime plan for Tobago includes several key measures:
• Police from Trinidad will be sent to Tobago both in the short term and on a rotational basis.
• More officers from Trinidad joined the Guard and Emergency Branch and Inter-Agency Task Force officers deployed to the island in May.
• CCTV footage currently operating out of a central national database will be accessible from Tobago, and E99 calls from Tobago will now be answered locally.
• Additionally, Tobago will receive an unspecified allocation from the 2,500 CCTV cameras to be installed throughout the country.
• Bacolet was earmarked as a potential location for the headquarters of the Tobago Division of TTPS.
Less than a month after the new plan was announced, the murder toll jumped from 16 to 19, with a series of shootings and injuries in days.
Williams: Businesses upset, time for TTPS to use full force
Meanwhile, Curtis Williams, chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TTCIC) agrees it is time for police to use full force.
“The business community is upset about this. We ask the police to go with full force and do what they have to do to get rid of it. There’s no two ways about it. Let them go with full force. Move to the next level and clean up the island. Clean up all the drug blocks. They have to be critical at this moment and start to do the things they ought to be doing. We support that 100 per cent.”
He said information about illegal businesses disguised as legitimate enterprises was not new for TTCIC because it is being done “in front of our eyes.” Williams said it was a perfect place to start.
“What we have noticed is there are people peddling on the sides of the streets, not established businesses, water, and other items, and behind that, they are selling drugs. We know that for sure. We’ve seen it.”
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