Alexander vows action against killers

Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has issued a strong commitment to tackling the nation's escalating crime problem, particularly murders linked to gang warfare. In a firm response to recent events and public pressure, Alexander asserted that his ministry will not shy away from its responsibilities.

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I give the public the assurance that what took place (yesterday), a number of persons who are responsible will be dealt with according to law.

Alexander directly addressed criticism from the opposition, accusing them of hypocrisy and of allowing crime to fester during their previous tenure. He specifically pointed to the People's National Movement (PNM), arguing that under their watch, gangs gained significant control and that their current calls for his resignation are unfounded. He reminded the public that the PNM had a decade to address the issue and that the current government inherited a severely degraded crime-fighting apparatus.

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They are not interested in the communities that voted for them and now they have the audacity to speak about who should go and who shouldn’t go. They should have gone ten years ago. They left this problem for us.

While acknowledging that eradicating crime is a complex, long-term challenge, Alexander emphasized the government's comprehensive strategy. He clarified that the State of Emergency (SoE) is merely one tool among many, not a singular solution. The minister detailed the dilapidated state of national security infrastructure, including manpower shortages and outdated technology, which the current administration is working to rectify. He stressed the need for all components of the security strategy to function cohesively, likening it to a clock with all its parts working in unison. Alexander urged the public to cooperate by providing information to the police, reinforcing the idea that crime fighting is a collective responsibility.

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I must tell the population that we have never suggested that SoEs are a silver bullet for our crime problem. They are just one set of tools in a broader multi-pronged strategy designed to restore low and order.