Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has expressed deep disappointment after the murder toll in Trinidad and Tobago surpassed 600 for the second consecutive year.
In a statement shared on social media Thursday, Rowley described the ongoing violence as “unacceptable” and highlighted the nation’s struggle with widespread killings.
“I am very disappointed in the outturn where once again in this small nation, frequent killings see us, for the second year straight, recording over 600 deaths attributed to widespread violence,” Rowley said.
The prime minister acknowledged the significant efforts of the national security agencies but noted that despite these measures, criminals continue to operate with impunity. He called for more work to be done in various areas to address the high crime rate.
“The unacceptable high level of violent crime in the country has attracted the consistent attention and not inconsiderable resources of the state,” Rowley said. “It was my hope and genuine expectation that the ongoing national effort against violent crime, particularly murders and other violent assaults, would have seen a visible reduction in number as we go forward.”
Rowley appealed directly to the police to use more effective detection methods, encouraging them to make criminals uncomfortable and disrupt their operations.
“The government will continue to provide full support to the police and other agencies and encourages all stakeholders—from the home to the courthouse—to provide no safe harbor and comfort to the criminal element,” he added.
The prime minister also addressed the general public, urging those who are aware of criminal activity to stop normalizing or supporting such behavior. “To those who know and are doing or saying nothing, stop normalizing criminal conduct in your social life, and to those who share the proceeds of violent criminal conduct, stop encouraging or shielding your family members and friends who are engaging in criminal conduct,” he stated.
Rowley also called on the Judiciary to take stronger action against criminals, urging them to stop treating offenders as victims. “To those in authority who are responsible for dispensing justice, stop pretending that criminals are the victims who deserve only mercy when by their heartless, lawless behavior they are to receive firm punishment,” he said.
In his closing remarks, the prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies and emphasized the need for a unified effort to tackle the country’s crime crisis.
“We as a nation cannot get the upper hand of criminal conduct which has evolved into becoming a major public health issue,” Rowley noted. “We will all need to do more and even do differently if we are to keep violent criminal conduct where it belongs.”
