Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has given a firm stance on the decision to declare a State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago, noting that urgent action must be taken to cut off the immediate threat at the root and to safeguard citizens.
In a statement, the Prime Minister reaffirmed her promise to prioritise this country’s crime situation by doing all that’s necessary to ensure citizens’ safety.
She said that immediately after receiving an intelligence report from the Police Commissioner on Thursday, she directed Attorney General John Jeremie to take the necessary steps to advise President Christine Kangaloo to declare that a State of Emergency existed in Trinidad and Tobago.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said she will not allow a minority of illegally armed elements of society to continue to terrorise and traumatise law-abiding citizens and wreak havoc in the country.
The Prime Minister noted that while in opposition, she advocated for states of emergency to be employed as a critical measure to tackle the crime situation within the parameters of the law.
* See Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s full statement below:
My government came into office on the promise that we would address the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago as a matter of priority and that we would do everything necessary to ensure that citizens felt safe in their homes, workplaces, schools and places of worship. Last evening I received an intelligence report from the Commissioner of Police and I immediately directed my Attorney General to take the requisite steps to advise Her Excellency, the President, to declare that a State of Emergency existed in Trinidad and Tobago.
I will not stand idly by for years, months, weeks or even days while a minority of illegally armed individuals act in concert to intimidate the people of Trinidad and Tobago. I will not tolerate a resurgence of kidnappings for ransom and other heinous crimes initiated by gangs. I will not allow these elements of society to continue to terrorize and traumatize law abiding citizens and to wreak havoc in our land.
For years, while in Opposition, I repeatedly called for a State of Emergency, not as cheap political gimmickry to appease the population leading up to an election, but as a critical measure to attack the crime situation within the parameters of the law. This Government walks the walk. We are taking urgent action to cut off this immediate threat at the root, and to safeguard our people. Our Government is working closely with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to ensure that this State of Emergency brings tangible results in our fight against crime.
The State of Emergency came into effect just after midnight when Her Excellency the President issued the proclamation and regulations. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service immediately engaged in operations to secure the citizenry and the institutions that uphold the integrity of the State. The TTPS and the Government will continue to keep the population informed, as appropriate, within the coming days.