Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher made it clear that reducing crime in Tobago is a top priority for the police force. This commitment was highlighted during a meeting with the Parliament’s National Security Joint Select Committee at the Red House in Port of Spain.
Tobago East MP Ayanna Webster-Roy expressed her concerns about the recent triple murder in Black Rock, Tobago, emphasizing that crime is not isolated to one community on the island. She questioned Commissioner Harewood-Christopher about specific plans to address violent crimes in Tobago and ensure the safety of residents.
Harewood-Christopher assured the public that Tobago is receiving as much attention as Trinidad when it comes to law enforcement efforts. She mentioned that additional police officers have been deployed to Tobago in recent months to combat the rise in crime on the island.
Noting the increase in violent crime, Harewood-Christopher confirmed that the police are working closely with the Tobago House of Assembly to address the security concerns. The National Security Council is scheduled to meet in Tobago to discuss strategies for mitigating crime, with the involvement of key officials including the Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary of the THA, the National Security Minister, and Commissioner Harewood-Christopher.
Insights shared during the meeting shed light on the intelligence and legislative actions being taken by law enforcement to tackle criminal activities in Tobago and Trinidad. The meeting also touched upon the role of technology in aiding police investigations and the importance of community involvement in crime prevention efforts.
While challenges exist, Commissioner Harewood-Christopher’s dedication to ensuring the safety of Tobago residents was evident throughout the discussion. Despite criticisms from some quarters, the commitment of the police force to address crime in Tobago remains steadfast, underlining the collaborative approach needed to combat criminal activities on the island.
