CoP disappointed as murders hit 607

WITH six days still left in 2024, the all-time murder record that was set in 2022 has been broken, and Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher has been left disappointed that the "significantly large" amount of work the police have done has not yielded the desired results.

In July, Harewood-Christopher developed a violent-crime reduction plan and aimed to reduce homicides by ten per cent in 2024.

She expressed her disappointment in the current murder toll in a statement on Facebook on December 24.

Police statistics said, as at lunchtime on December 24, the murder toll for the year stood at 607, surpassing the 605 set two years ago.

In comparison, the same period last year recorded 562 murders – 45 fewer than this year. In the last ten years, 5,463 people have been murdered.

Harewood-Christopher said criminals persisted in committing violent crime, but the police were committed to fighting it.

"They have become more brazen and indiscriminate in their desperate attempts at maintaining their criminal enterprises.

"The TTPS (Trinidad and Tobago Police Service) will continue to exert itself to the fullest extent to do what is required to deliver effective law enforcement to the deserving citizenry. We give our unwavering commitment in that regard."

She said fighting crime, particularly getting young men to engage in productive activity, was a challenge.

"This will continue to be our challenge until such time that we succeed in diverting the minds of the criminal elements in our society, especially our young men, from the commission of violent crimes to more productive activities."

Harewood-Christopher said the murder toll and crime rate were national issues, and urged the public to be courageous in helping and joining the fight.

"Homicides is not just a TTPS issue, but a national issue. There is therefore a role for every citizen in our endeavour to reduce this statistic.

"Let’s develop the courage and the confidence to do what is required. We must become more deliberate about the type of society we want and work resolutely, collectively and purposefully to achieve that result."

She called on the public not to condone criminal activities or be intimidated by criminal elements.

All-time high

On December 23 going into December 24, a wave of murders helped the toll reach new heights.

Rafael Gobin of Hutton Street was gunned down around 5.10 pm while liming with a 26-year-old friend, who was also wounded in the incident, on December 23.

Tobago recorded the 26th murder for the year when Zachary Lindow, 21, a salesman of Top Hill, Pembroke, was gunned down around 6.30 pm while working at a Bacolet convenience store on December 23.

While they were in the store, two gunmen entered and announced a hold-up.

Police said the men were told to lie on the floor. They were robbed and the gunmen then shot them.

Lindow died on the spot. His coworker, a salesman/driver from Glamorgan, was shot in the abdomen.

Kester Phillip, 49, of Orange Field Road, Carapichaima, was shot and killed in the road in Carapichaima around 9.20 pm on December 23.

Salesman Keanu Chandler, 33, died on the road at Bajnath Street shortly after 6 am. The father of three lived at Penal Rock Road, Aquart Village.

Police said Chandler was playing the card game wappie earlier with a group of people.

Adana John, also known as "Sixx Boss" was stabbed to death on December 24.

A nearby business owner said around 8 am on December 24 she heard a commotion, then went outside and saw John lying on the ground.

Police said John and a man were arguing near the corner of Saddle Road and Second Street, San Juan.

Moments later the man was seen running away, and John was found with a stab wound to her abdomen.

Increased police presence throughout

Newsday noticed a visible police presence in the capital on December 24, including senior officers.

DCP in charge of operations Junior Benjamin also went on a walkabout through Port of Spain, St James, West Mall and in Central.

He spoke to the media at Independence Square on December 24.

"What you're seeing is not a performance. This is what the police service is all about.

"The police officers (are) coming to the ground and seeking to make a difference as we go out there and build that police partnership with the public."

Benjamin met, greeted and spoke to people from all walks of life, wishing them happy holidays and promising the police's continued work.

Benjamin said for the rest of the year the public can expect the police to be in the streets and working.

"We are going to have more patrols and more joint patrol. There will be more presence of the police."

On the all-time murder toll and going into the new year, Benjamin said the police will continue to work.

"We are going to do three things to ensure there's crime prevention, crime detection and crime convictions."