Ministry of National Security Escalates its Alert State
4th January 2015: In direct response to the spike in gang related homicides, the Ministry of National Security has escalated the Alert State of all law enforcement agencies with immediate effect. This Alert State is led by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the National Operations Centre (NOC) the joint exercise coordinating agency. This Alert State is necessary to bring this situation under immediate control.
The measures to be used in this heightened Alert State include:
-Increased visibility of Joint Police Service / Defence Force patrols throughout Trinidad and Tobago;
-Increased in Air Patrols and Air Surveillance in support of the TTPS ground initiatives;
-Increased roadblocks and stop and search activities; and
-Increased intelligence and surveillance exercises, specifically in all crime hot spots and among persons of interest.
The general public is kindly asked to comply with all instructions of law enforcement personnel, especially when stopped and questioned during this time.
The Minister of National Security, Senator the Honorable Gary Griffith wishes to assure all law abiding citizens that the members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, personnel of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and all the other law enforcement agencies will be operating at the highest level of professionalism while on this heightened Alert State.
This current alert state of readiness is in no way intended to curtail civil liberties but has become necessary to ensure the safety and security for all.