Scotland wants to 'nip Tobago crime in bud'

KEITH Scotland, Minister in the Ministry of National Security, is hoping to lay the groundwork in the next 72 hours to make a dent in Tobago’s crime situation.

Scotland was joined by Police Commissioner Erla Christopher-Harewood in a walkabout on August 12 in the Crown Point district, followed by a tour of police stations across the island.

He said they are in Tobago for 48-72 hours and planned to visit several communities.

Scotland told the media his purpose was to focus on arresting the current crime situation.

“We want to nip this situation in the bud and we want to show the citizens of Tobago – and Trinidad, but particularly now, Tobago – that we are very much interested in having this situation abated immediately. if not before.

“We’re here, we’ll do everything in our power – every single thing – to have this situation arrested and they will see the police on the ground, they would see them more, they would be more visible, to keep our island safe.”

He said by August 14, he would receive a report, which he would share with his senior minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, among others, while acting on it.

To date, Tobago has recorded 19 murders this year.

“Too many – 19 murders in Tobago is 19 too many.”

He said after the walkabouts, he intends to internalise what has happened as he and other officials intend to meet with stakeholders, members of the business community and the business the chambers, and other closed-door meetings have also been planned.

“I just want to get a handle of what is going on in Tobago.”

Asked about meeting with THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, he said: “We have spoken on the phone, and I will prefer to keep that quiet for now. I’m acquainting myself, and that meeting will come, but it’s not going to happen on this trip.”