ONE HUNDRED and thirteen people, including a soldier who has been absent without leave for five years, were arrested in a series of police co-ordinated exercises on July 18.
On July 18, drivers reported police road checks along the westbound lanes of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway, the Lady Young Road, Eastern Main Road and Debe Highway, among other routes.
Deputy Commissioner of Police responsible for operations Junior Benjamin said 148 exercises were done across TT on July 18.
This came after 19 people were murdered over the last weekend and a meeting of the National Security Council, in which the Prime Minister called in Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher and the head of the various divisions, was convened.
In an interview with Newsday on July 19, Benjamin said 464 fixed-penalty notices were issued, seven firearms, including two AR-15s and 387 rounds of ammunition (mostly 5.56mm) were seized.
Benjamin said 1,358 stop and search forms were filled out, which will go towards data collection for the police.
“It was a resounding success in terms of the efforts made by the police officers.
“We are committed to achieve the objectives of the commissioner’s violent crime reduction plan and strategy.”
Speaking at a media conference on July 14 at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, Harewood-Christopher said she aims to reduce homicides by ten per cent this year.
Harewood-Christopher said the plan is a holistic one aimed at managing violent crime.
“We are focusing on the dismantling of criminal gangs, the retrieval of illegal firearms, the eradication of drug blocks, and increased focus on transnational crime.
“We are enhancing our police intelligence capability. We are leveraging the use of technology to enhance police operations.”
Benjamin said these nationwide road exercises were just one of the adjustments made in the police’s crime-fighting plans and said more can be expected in the future.
“This will be an ongoing exercise.
“The police are on high alert and it will be all hands on deck.”
On July 18, Benjamin dismissed a suggestion that the police action was akin to the 2015 Day of Total Policing, when officers held a series of unsanctioned roadblocks, snarling traffic across the country for several hours, purportedly over the slow pace of wage negotiations.
“This is something properly co-ordinated.”
The directive is coming from the CoP, seeking to have operations in place to restore a sense of safety and security, he said.
Benjamin said the police are ready to serve TT.
“We are giving our heart and soul to ensure safety and security.
“No gang leader, no gang member is going to run this country.
“We will step up and take the fight to those who want to take down this country.”
Successful operations nationwide
Tobago has seen more bloodshed this year as compared to previous years.
The murder toll in Tobago currently stands at 16, surpassing last year’s total of 14.
Newsday spoke to the head of police in Tobago Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk on
