'Cops won't give up crime fight' — Police, Nat Sec undaunted as murder toll crosses 400

EVEN as Tobago has recorded its record-breaking 20th murder of the year and the country's murder toll has gone past 400 faster than it has ever done before, police are asking the public to be patient as they insist their efforts in the fight against crime will soon bear fruit.

Three more murders on August 21 – Kerlon Thomas, 21, of Friendsfield, Tobago; Avid "Blindy" Reece, 47, of Cocorite; and Tyrell Alvarez, 27, of Sangre Grande – took Trinidad and Tobago's toll to 405 a day after the country was shocked by the murder of Enrico Guerra and his five-year-old daughter Anika at their home in Moruga on August 20.

On August 22, Newsday spoke with Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Operations Junior Benjamin.

Asked if the police's anti-crime efforts had been working given the high number of murders, he said, "Everything will take time to see the fruits.

"As we continue to press, we will certainly see the results."

While Benjamin acknowledged the murder toll's rapid increase, he said police were using "effective intelligence" and "holistic investigations" which were bringing "perpetrators to justice."

"We have an increased presence in the public to deal with the crime situation. We are trying to regain the trust of the public, as the information is outside there."

On July 14, Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher spoke at a media conference and revealed an "in-your-face-policing" violent-crime reduction plan.

At the time, Harewood-Christopher said police were aiming to reduce homicides by ten per cent in 2024, but was some way behind that target.

In July, TT experienced its bloodiest month of the year, as 66 murders were recorded, eclipsing the 57 murders committed in March.

July became the third bloodiest month in TT's history, only outdone in November 2021 with 69 murders and August 2022 with 68.

On August 22, Newsday asked Benjamin if police had seen any positive results from their anti-crime plans thus far.

"Every single time we are seeing an increase in the ability to get guns off the street. The last one (anti-crime exercise) we had, we got roughly seven guns."

He said the police had conducted a nationwide exercise since 148 roadblocks were held on July 18.

"Because we had no roadblocks, people were not aware that we had one (police exercise). We targeted particular areas outside of the highways and we were able to get some more guns off the street."

Benjamin said "proactive policing" was being implemented and the police are targeting "prolific offenders and hotspot areas."

Newsday asked Benjamin about Trinidad police being sent to Tobago to strengthen crime-fighting forces.

He said they have made a difference in that crime situation.

"There is an increase in the number of patrols in Tobago and that is good for us.

"We need to get some more effective intelligence to guide our operations, so we can have a more proactive approach rather than a reactive one."

On August 21, Thomas was gunned down while liming on Friendsfield Road, near Scarborough. Three other men were shot and wounded in the incident.

On August 22, Newsday asked head of police in Tobago, Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk, if incidents like Thomas' murder and a recent violent robbery at a jewellery store in Lowlands, had caused Tobago's police to become frustrated even as their ranks had been supported by officers from Trinidad.

"No, we are not getting frustrated," Kirk said.

"We have never seen this unprecedented issue of gang-activity in Tobago."

He noted, however, that of the 20 murders, only one person was not specifically "targeted."

"It's not random shootings. They (killers) know who their targets are." (But) we are concerned!"

Kirk asked the public to remain patient.

"I know the public looks for speed most of the time, but in these investigations, we cannot give away accuracy for speed.

"While it might seem slow, the intelligence is coming in and we are analysing it. We want to do it right the first time!"

He said the police would not give up the fight.

Kirk said while collaboration with the Trinidad officers was a "work in progress" all the help was welcomed.

"We are looking to see how best we can strategise with the resources.

"We (Tobago police) has always had a challenge with resources. Additional help is still welcomed."

Both Kirk and Benjamin, however, claimed serious crime was up in only a few categories.

Benjamin said, "Crime is not just about murders, there are 14 different areas that involve serious crime.

"When we look at the statistics only three to four of the areas have increased – murders, robberies, larceny motor vehicles and wounding/shootings."

Kirk said,"Other serious crimes have not increased in any significant way. The only issue is violent crime (murders)."

He called on the public to report crime and to "not tolerate crime in their spaces."

"Reach out to us, we will do the disruptions in those areas!"

Contacted for comment, Minister in the Ministry of National Security Keith Scotland, SC, said the murder of five-year-old Anika Guerra had hit him particularly hard.

Speaking to Newsday by phone on August 22, Scotland said, "While every murder is a loss, Guerra's death stings a lot more than others."

Scotland reaffirmed, his and National Security minister Fitzgerald Hinds position on working on the solutions.

"While the CoPs anti-crime plans have been implemented, there's always room for improvement."

Newsday asked Scotland if he felt members of the police and its executive had begun to feel frustrated given the country's high murder toll in the face of the implementation of the CoP's plans.

He said, "In the Ministry of National Security, we do not have the luxury of frustration, we have the luxury of stick-to-it-ness.

"The (criminal) elements are not getting frustrated, so I'm not getting frustrated."

Scotland said he wanted to see police action bear fruit "now."