Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander says the Tarouba, Grand Bazaar and Eddie Hart police posts are the first three earmarked to be opened.
Speaking to reporters following the reopening of the Princes Town Fire Station on Wednesday, he dismissed the idea that the government is waiting for all 30 police posts to be completed before opening them.
“We want to open the first three, which is Tarouba, Grand Bazaar, and Eddie Hart. And from there, we could continue the project. It might be in that order. It might be the same day. It depends. It’s about service to the people. It’s about protecting public spaces and so on. And who doesn’t want that? There are a few persons who don’t want it, but we are about giving it to the people.”
On August 3rd, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that 30 joint army-police posts will be established in communities across Trinidad and Tobago over the next four months, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security nationwide. Construction has already begun on some of the posts.
While no formal launch date has been announced, Minister Alexander said final discussions are underway.
“I’m waiting on the Commissioner and the Chief of Defence Staff to give me the final, but it should take place, we’re looking to go through the Independence and after that we’ll go forward in a more positive way.”
Despite continued criticism of the effectiveness of the police posts, Minister Alexander insisted the units are being strategically positioned to support law enforcement operations and improve public safety.
“We are making a genuine effort to ensure, because the demand is so great because the more persons try to denounce it and make it look like it is not important, the demand continues to grow. And for your edification, if you look at Singapore or even the UK, go look at it and you’ll realise the importance of how they are using these units now, these mobile units, to support their agencies in the fight against crime.”
As it pertains to the cost of the 30 police posts, Minister Alexander assured that this will be eventually revealed.
“There’s nothing to hide from the public. If we chose someone to do something because there was a procurement and all of that, then there are no issues. So in terms of costing, we say okay. I don’t know if some of the areas, because of how it is located, it might cost differently. But I don’t want to say that.”
Minister Alexander was speaking to reporters following the reopening of the Princes Town Fire Station on Wednesday.