Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC is standing by her decision to call for a State of Emergency on Tuesday, saying she is not afraid to take tough decisions in defence of law-abiding citizens.
In a statement on X following the declaration of the State of Emergency, the Prime Minister said the Government will not treat threats or destabilisation plots lightly, noting that States of Emergency declared under her Government are not band-aids but “are triggered by credible intelligence of threats to our nation.”
She said her statement and the subsequent statement by the Attorney General on this matter outlined the basis for declaring the State of Emergency.
“We will not be threatened by criminal elements or by those who seek to shield and protect them. We will use every lawful tool available to us to confront and dismantle criminal networks. We inherited a crime-ridden nation where gangs operated with impunity and the blood of innocents flowed far too freely. We promised to restore law and order – and we are doing exactly that.”
The Prime Minister said comprehensive, holistic plans are already in motion and commended law enforcement officers for their hard work.
She also took aim at those opposed to crime-fighting measures and urged citizens to ask themselves why.
“It is telling that every serious effort to tackle crime is met with fierce resistance from these quarters. They opposed the US radar system, which has strengthened our border security. They opposed the Zones of Special Operations legislation, which would have empowered law enforcement to root out criminality in identified hot spots – many of which are constituencies represented by the PNM – while rebuilding the social infrastructure of those communities. Why is the PNM so determined to obstruct policies designed to target criminals?”
The Prime Minister said the Government has been working to fix the crime problem, as evidenced by the Stand Your Ground and Home Invasion legislation and various other initiatives.
“We ensured permanent leadership at the helm of the Police Service. We increased boots on the ground, expanded visible patrols, and deployed additional resources. We tightened Road Traffic laws to restore order on our nation’s roads. We are cleaning up the lawless mess left behind by the PNM and its dangerous tolerance of criminal elements. We understand that every arm of law and order must function effectively. That is why we are working collaboratively with the judiciary to address the backlog and strengthen the criminal justice system. There is no sleeping at the wheel.”
The Prime Minister also thanked the United States for its continued partnership in combating crime.
“Trinidad and Tobago now has an invitation at the table where international and regional security is being addressed. I will continue to seek further cooperation and assistance to ensure that gangs and organised criminal networks are eradicated from our country. We will not surrender this nation. We will not retreat. We will restore law, order and safety – and we will do so without fear or favour.”