(T&TGuardian)With a comparative difference of one murder separating last year’s toll from this year’s figures at the same period, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher says the T&T Police Service’s crime-fighting strategies are yielding benefits.
As of yesterday morning, there were 391 murders for the year thus far compared to 392 for the same period last year. For the month of August, up to yesterday, meanwhile, there were 55 murders compared to 68 murders up to the same period last year.
Speaking at the weekly TTPS media briefing at the Police Administration Building on Sackville Street, Port of Spain, yesterday Harewood-Christopher said while violent crimes continue to be a concern to the public, the police had had several successes in their campaign against criminals.
“In the number of murders, which shows the murders are actually trending down, which shows that the strategies are working, we continue to revise our strategies to ensure that we make that positive impact,” Harewood-Christopher said.
Harewood-Christopher noted that for the year thus far, 65 people had been charged for murder, adding that at least three more suspects were expected to face charges in the Central Division.
Of this figure, she said 47 people were charged for murders that happened this year, while 10 were charged for murders in 2022. She added that 467 illegal guns and 15,482 rounds of ammunition had also been seized so far this year.
Shortly after being appointed to office earlier this year, Harewood-Christopher had promised a reduction in murders by June. However, she failed to attain that target and citizens remain concerned about the murders rate in the wake of another recent spike in brazen attacks, even in public facilities.
Noting the recent spate of murders across the country, the CoP said while it remained a concern for the public, incidents of crime we’re not evidence of police inaction.
“I want to assure the community, the national community, that the police are conscious and we are capable. The work of the police is constant and effective in deterring crime,” Harewood-Christopher said.
“The fact that some persons succeed in committing crimes is not an indication that the police isn’t out there on a moment-by-moment basis, doing what is necessary to deter, detect and prosecute crimes.”
She also reminded the public that it was impossible for the police to be everywhere at once, noting their co-operation was still critical in any initiative aimed at getting the criminal element off the streets.
“The reality is that the police cannot be everywhere it is possible for a crime to be committed and there are those bent on making an opportunity of that and it is for that reason I appeal to members of the public to continue partnering with the police to combat criminal activities in their communities and in our country.”
Harewood-Christopher said different police units were working to investigate murders, adding that the strategies were continuously being adjusted to meet changes in trends and patterns.
On another issue, Harewood-Christopher said while she could not confirm a link between a recent drug find in Mayaro and the murders, she assured Mayaro residents that the police were present in their communities and reminded anyone with drugs to inform the police.
“What I can assure the national community is that the police officers are on the ground in the Mayaro-Manzanilla area. The intention is to ensure that any and all narcotics that would have floated, that we at least retrieve as much as possible,” she said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to advise the public if by chance they may have in their possession, it would be a good opportunity to ensure it is delivered to the police.”
Last Wednesday, Mayaro police were called to a beach near a BP compound off Isthmus Road, Guayaguayare, where they found 36 packets of cocaine.
The discovery of the drugs has been linked to several murders in the Eastern and Northern Divisions over the past week.
