After an alarming spike in the murder rate in recent weeks, National Security Minister John Sandy says intensified joint police/army patrols were put into effect in several hot spots across the country last night. Sandy made the disclosure during yesterday's post-Cabinet news conference at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.
"The fact remains that although the murder rate for this year exceeds what occurred last year for the comparative period, serious crimes are less than what existed for the same period last year," Sandy said. The retired brigadier said the increase in murders was "disturbing (and) saddening to the Prime Minister and the Government."
"What is even worse is the fact that a number of our young people are being killed. As a result, we have decided to ensure that there is an increased law-enforcement operation with immediate effect." The murder rate for 2012 was 175 up to yesterday.
"We will be targeting the areas in which these killings have been occurring with frequency. There will be, from tonight (last night), an increase in our joint patrols in an effort to infiltrate those areas from which these homicides are being infiltrated." Sandy said other unspecified measures are to be introduced in undisclosed areas around Trinidad.
"Every effort is being made by our law-enforcement officers to ensure that this spate of serious crime is curtailed," he insisted. Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, who also attended the news conference, said "measured progress that is cause for quiet optimism and hopeful optimism has been made" with respect to dealing with criminal gangs.
Ramlogan said he expects better results under the anti-gang legislation in the near future. He said there was "absolutely nothing wrong with the legislation." What was required was that the police must enforce the law "by intelligent policing, by gathering the evidence to substantiate the offences," he said.
