Tobago cops optimistic as anti-crime plans 'bearing fruit'

FOR just the second time in 2024, Tobago went a month without a murder.

The island has registered a record 25 murders for the year, but has gone its longest stretch without a killing – over 40 days.

There were no murders in April, separated by killings on March 26 and May 4. The last murder in Tobago took place around October 13 when the body of a man, Marcus Archer, was found near the beach behind the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point.

Apart from murders, there have been a decline in shootings and gang violence on the island.

The crime situation in Tobago was so drastic earlier this year that a day after a quadruple murder in Black Rock on July 8, the National Security Council held a meeting on the island to discuss the situation. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine attended that meeting and expressed satisfaction with the plans discussed.

“If we are able to execute them, I think we will be able to make a significant dent. We are not too far gone," he said on July 9.

Cops tackling drug blocks

In an interview with Newsday on December 2, Snr Supt Earl Elie said police have been targeting the drug blocks on the island.

He said, "We have focused a lot on eradication of the drug blocks. We've had daily drug-block exercises with the aim of total eradication, which would take some time, but it's a work in progress."

He said there have been several arrests within the recent weeks for various offences and the recovery of illegal guns and ammunition.

Asked which area the guns were found, he said,"All over."

Elie said the increased police presence on the island is being felt.

"I'm sure you would have noticed an increase in the police presence on the roadways and public places in Tobago. Those patrols are there, interactive patrols.

"We have a lot more in store, but we will reveal that as time goes by."

Elie said the direct E-999 line promised to Tobago following the Nat Sec meeting is currently up and running.

Public helping crime-fight

ACP Oswain Subero said the public has been receptive to the appeal by police for assistance. He said police have met the public halfway and are building a close relationship with communities.

"I cannot realistically tell us what we have done as our plan of action, but we have had tremendous support from members of the community who have concerns about what has taken place.

"We had two town-hall meetings and done some community-outreach meetings, meeting persons in the different spaces who are willing to assist the police with the shootings and murders."

He said apart from the shootings and murders, the Tobago division had been doing well in its policing.

Elie added, "So hopefully the actions and strategies we put in place continue to bear fruit so Tobago would once again be a safe place for the citizens and residents. That is our objective, that is our dream."

Asked about the Trinidad officers on the ground in Tobago, Elie said they have embraced the challenge and have fit in well. He declined to say how many officers were on the island.

"They were here prior to our coming, so they are in a comfortable space. They are well taken care of. The police understand what their task is in Tobago.

"TT is one. TTPS is one, and they understand that. They have been embraced by their Tobago counterparts. They understand what they are here for. There are absolutely no negatives between the Trinidad police and Tobago police. They are functioning together quite effectively."

On July 9, Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds said there were plans to "add another 2,500 cameras (nationally) to the 2,500 we have recently installed."

Hinds said Tobago would receive cameras once they are procured and in operation.

Asked whether there were more CCTV cameras installed in Tobago as promised by Hinds, Elie declined comment,.

Calls to Hinds on December 2 went unanswered up to press time.

Scotland: We can win this fight

Keith Scotland, SC, who was appointed minister in the Ministry of National Security with specific responsibility for police matters, on July 25, was reserved in his comments when Newsday called him on December 2.

During a walkabout in Tobago with CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher on August 12, Scotland said he wanted to nip Tobago's crime situation in the bud.

Asked about the murder-free month in November, Scotland said, "This government remains committed to TT and security. I want to say nothing else and I want to put a full stop."

Pressed as to whether the decline in murders was owing to the measures put in place by police, he said, "Yes, the facts speak for themselves. I would like to continue to thank those officers who are hard-working and dedicated. I want to ask all police officers throughout TT to join in this fight that we can win."

Tobago Chamber wants more details

Tobago Business Chamber president Martin George said he was heartened by the news, but he was curious to find out what was put in place by police, to ensure this was sustainable.

"I don't know if it's as a result of policies and strategies put in place by the police. It would be good if they could indicate what they have been doing in that regard.

"If it's just pure happenstance or serendipity then we are glad for that, but that could not be the long-term solution to crime in Tobago."

George, a director of Crime Stoppers, said the organisation held "a round-the-island caravan this weekend where we went to sensitise the people about using the programme, and we emphasised the use of the number 800-TIPS.

"We are doing our part of as a business community so it would be good to hear from the police about what they have been doing."

George also asked for an update on the classification of the deaths of Sarah Smith, 33, and her children Genuine, 3, and Phoenix, 1. After being reported missing, the mother and children were found dead in an abandoned water tank in Parlatuvier on September 11.

An autopsy on September 30 revealed all three died of blunt force trauma.

George said, "What is the reason for the keep-back? That I would like to know."