Deploying a multi-faceted approach to address the rise in violent crime in Tobago, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher revealed plans to intensify policing efforts on the island. Following a recent ambush that claimed the lives of four men, she highlighted the urgency of the situation. The victims, identified as Anslem Douglas, Gregory Hamlet, Samuel McKain, and Jomoke Duncan, added to the island’s grim murder toll of 16 for the year, surpassing the previous record.
Speaking after a National Security Council meeting, Harewood-Christopher unveiled a strategy that includes the deployment of more police officers, additional CCTV cameras, enhanced intelligence gathering through the cybercrime unit, and increased forensic resources. Emphasizing the need for a decisive stance against criminal activity, she pointed out the proactive measures already in motion.
As part of the efforts, Trinidadian police officers were dispatched to Tobago for specialized training, aimed at bolstering the island’s law enforcement capabilities. Encouraging collaboration from the public, Harewood-Christopher stressed the importance of community involvement in combating crime. “We cannot do it alone,” she declared, underscoring the collective responsibility to safeguard the safety and well-being of Tobagonians.
