ALTHOUGH the country has now recorded its third highest annual murder toll ever, police are hoping it avoids the 600-mark especially as the murder rate has slowed, with a downward trend in the last three months resulting in November recording the lowest number of murders this year.
After a high of 68 murders in August, the monthly murder toll has been slowly declining with 58 in September, 55 in October and 33 in November. April is the only other month when less than 40 murders (37) were committed.
November, April and January are also the only months where the toll was less than the corresponding period last year.
Murders in January declined from 61 last year to 44, while April’s figure declined from 52 last year to 37.
In November, murders dropped from last year’s monthly toll of 43.
The toll for this month stood at three up to December 4, compared to seven for the same period last year.
The recent decline represents a 28 per cent decrease in murders over the last five weeks.
However, the annual murder toll up to December 4, is higher than last year, at 565 this year, compared to 533.
With an average of 51 murders a month, Trinidad and Tobago was on course to surpass its highest ever annual murder toll of 605 which was set in 2022.
However, if the 28 per cent decline holds steady, Trinidad and Tobago can expect to record 36 murders in December, compared to 50 last year, pushing the annual toll over the 600 mark but just short of the 605 record.
Speaking with the Newsday on December 4, DCP (Operations) Junior Benjamin said the decline in the comparative murder toll over the last weeks has not gone unnoticed and he is hoping to see this decline continue in December.
“We have been able to hold that back a bit and we are hoping to maintain that ground as we head into the Christmas period.”
Benjamin said he was grateful that everyone, including the public, has played their part in helping police achieve this reduction.
He said officers are motivated to see an even larger reduction this month.
“We had just about 30 or so murders compared to what we normally have. It means our plans are working, we are seeing and getting some traction and again we want to continue in that.
“Officers are very much motivated to go out there and to push for a much better December.”
He suggested there was an all-hands-on-deck approach to driving down the murder rate.
“We believe (it is possible) with the efforts and the motivation of the officers and our leaders. All divisional commanders are really working hard to ensure that their divisions stay on par in terms of what our strategic plan is all about. And that is also helping us as well.”
Pointing to last month’s reduction, Benjamin said those figures are proof of the push to make the country safer.
He said the drive to reduce the toll comes even from those above the Police Commissioner. “From the Minister of National Security to the commissioner to bring it right down to every divisional commander.”
Asked exactly what is leading to the reduction,
