Murders cross 300, CoP proposes monitoring of repeat offenders, legislative solutions

IN a bid to combat the escalating crime rate in TT, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher has announced that the TTPS is considering the use of ankle bracelets for repeat offenders on bail for firearm possession and violent crimes, as a potential solution. This comes as the murder toll for the year has already surpassed 300, causing widespread concern among citizens.

The CoP's proposal aims to address the deficiencies in evidence availability and detection rates, as well as the need for innovative legislative interventions.

In a pre-recorded address sent to the media late Friday night, Harewood-Christopher revealed that the police service is considering the use of monitoring devices, as a potential tool to address the issue of repeat offenders.

She said, “This state of affairs warrants the consideration of innovative and unprecedented legislative interventions to deal with firearm possession and violent crime. Perhaps it is time to consider outfitting persons granted bail for firearm possession and violent crime with an electronic monitoring device to assist the police in treating with the problem of repeat offenders.”

These devices would assist the police in tracking the movements of these individuals and curbing their involvement in criminal activities.

She acknowledged the increase in the daily murder toll, which recently reached 300, has been a cause for concern in the country. From January to June 2023, TT recorded 286 murders, including 23 double and four triple homicides. While gang activity remains the greatest contributor to these crimes, followed by drugs, it was noted that more than 50 per cent of the murders occurred in the north-eastern, north central, north, and eastern divisions. Firearms continue to be the weapon of choice in these homicides, with a rate of 88 per cent for 2023, compared to 72 per cent in 2020.

“The population, various stakeholders, the media and the business community have all been watching with concern the daily murder toll that continues to move steadily upwards earlier this week. The murder toll reached 300 and our national consciousness was jolted as we reach this dreaded milestone. In a sense, we all share the collective disappointment that this is how violent our society has become."

Her address comes after a spree of murders and injuries in the San Juan, Morvant and Barataria areas over the past week –involving guns – with many of them as a result of an ongoing feud between two incarcerated gang leaders.