Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander says Trinidad and Tobago is set to roll out aggressive new crime-fighting initiatives in the coming days, as the government moves to curb the spiraling violence gripping the country.
“In the coming week, you will see what we are coming with. Some persons may not agree, but then it is done for the citizens of this country to have a better quality of life, a safe and secure environment,” Alexander said Monday, during an appearance on a local television program.
The former top police officer, who now serves in the Kamla Persad Bissessar-led administration, acknowledged that the country is in the throes of a serious public safety crisis. Since the general election on April 28, more than 80 people have been murdered.
“My responsibility as the Homeland Security Minister is to ensure that all my citizens are safe and have a comfortable life,” Alexander said. “If there are persons who cannot or bring themselves to the level where they too must understand that they live here, then we must do things to confine them or remove them from among members of the population.”
While specific details remain under wraps, Alexander assured the public that a suite of initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence, murders, and shootings will be implemented shortly. He signaled that some elements of the plan may be controversial but insisted they are necessary.
“What we intend to do to have that sustainable impact in the first instance is to roll out some of the ideas that we have, some we can say to the members of the public, and some we cannot,” he said, adding that following an upcoming strategy session, he will confer with the Commissioner of Police to determine the next steps.
The Minister also announced an enhanced security presence in communities and around schools, promising that “in the not-too-distant future, you will be able to see police vehicles in every junction, highway, and byway.”
He took a swipe at the previous administration, suggesting they hesitated to spend adequately on security: “The former administration would have indicated that it had been spending too much money on crime. Still, this administration is sparing no resources to ensure the safety and security of our people.”
Alexander also disclosed that he recently held talks with Jamaica’s National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang, during the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit in Montego Bay. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in crime prevention and information-sharing between the two countries.
A release from Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Homeland Security said both ministers pledged to maintain open communication between their national security agencies and committed to continued collaboration in tackling criminal networks across the region.
“The meeting solidified the bonds of friendship between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and set the tone for a strengthened partnership on security matters,” the statement read.
As crime continues to weigh heavily on the national psyche, Alexander warned that those determined to flout the law will soon “feel the heavy hands of law enforcement.”
