Cops say crime down, promise more exercises in Tobago

3335509

Police say they have made a significant dent in crime in Tobago with acting Senior Superintendent Junior Benjamin saying crime has now gone down significantly after peaking in June.

“We are seeing the crime rate move from plus two per cent in June to now, at the end of August, we are now at minus seven per cent,” Benjamin said.

He was at the time speaking with the media following a police road exercise at Milford Road, Scarborough yesterday.

Benjamin said 12 firearms have been taken off the streets since the beginning of this year.

He said police would be working with the Port Authority of T&T (PATT) to obtain passenger lists that will be used to monitor people suspected of criminal activity.

Upon their arrival in Tobago, these people would be monitored closely by the CID to determine if they are involved in crime and the necessary action would be taken.

He said drug blocks in Tobago are also under pressure from the police as they would be putting the squeeze on drug dealers.

Benjamin added that yesterday’s exercise was one of many to come where vehicles would be searched for firearms, ammunition, drugs and people wanted on outstanding warrants.

Two people wanted on outstanding warrants were detained yesterday, while two others were charged for not wearing masks.

Fifty of the 400-plus police officers in Tobago took part in the exercise along with security personnel from the Airports Authority, the Tobago House of Assembly, PATT and the Inter-Agency Task Force headquartered in Trinidad.

Benjamin said a special police unit would also be vigilant in the Safe Zones at Crown Point.

“We believe that as we continue in this effort we are going to see a reduction and a greater understanding with the public so that we can see a reduction in crime in Tobago,” Benjamin said.