Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams says the T&T Police Service has a strategy to combat escalating gang violence in Chaguanas as it plans to reduce serious crimes by 14 per cent by the end of 2015.
In the wake of several murders and shootings in the troubled Enterprise community, Williams said he had assured residents of a greater police presence to restore order.
Speaking at a ceremony to award officers who did not abuse their sick leave at Southern Division’s police administration building, San Fernando, Williams said there had been an overall drop in crime in 2015 and they were aiming to reduce serious crimes to approximately 10,500.
In 2014, serious crime totalled 12,055 and murders 403.
He said police would continue their hot-spot policing and increase patrols as they had a larger fleet of vehicles to use.
“We are in mid-year and we are seeing a drop in serious crimes. In all crime types, including murders, we are seeing a drop and we will spend the next several months right down to December focusing on driving crime further down.
“By way of projection, if we can get around 14 per cent reduction in serious crime, we will get down to a figure of around 10,500.
“I am not saying that is the figure we will get I am saying that as an organisation we are working towards getting there.
“Less crime is a positive thing for T&T because every time there is a crime, it is a citizen affected by the efforts of a criminal. In those circumstances we are looking at having less crime, so fewer citizens are adversely affected by crime.”
He also commended the Enterprise community for their proposed peace march on Saturday, saying that citizens were stakeholders in their own safety.
Awardees
A total of 163 police officers, including newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police for the southern, south western and central divisions, Cecil Santana; Snr Supt Patsy Joseph; and Snr Supt Irwin Hackshaw received certificates of recognition and $300 cheques for not using their sick leave during 2014.
One officer was given $1,000 for not using his leave for ten years and three others collected $500 for not using their leave for between five and ten years.
Santana said the awards would go a long way in motivating officers to perform well on the job. He also promised to work closely with all divisions in his new role.