The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says it is intensifying operations in the North Eastern Division following a series of gang-related killings.
Responding to concerns over renewed gang violence in the Morvant-Laventille area, ASP Owie Russell assured residents that there will be a significant increase in crime-fighting operations aimed at disrupting criminal activity and restoring public safety.
“There will be intensified patrols, intensified operations as we are also in not only an SOE but we are having our Operation R.E.S.O.L.U.T.E. You will see intensified roadblocks. You would see more focus being placed on gang members and areas where they reside. You would be seeing an increase in house searches. Of course, I know the Preventive Detention Orders are a critical tool in helping us curb this gang violence and you would see an intensification of that as well.”
Meanwhile, he provided details of a recent police-involved shooting that occurred during an intelligence-led operation in Curepe targeting suspects linked to a home invasion.
“Officers observed one of the suspects in the building, who at the time was armed with a firearm. The officer pointed the firearm at them and fired several shots in their direction, which resulted in the police apprehending immediate fear and responding in accordance to the Use of Force Policy 92 of 2011, following which the suspect was struck several times and he succumbed to his injuries.”