Police Commissioner Defends Shootings, Warns Home Invaders: 'Stay Out of People's Houses'

Trinidad and Tobago's Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, has issued a stern warning to criminal elements, particularly those involved in home invasions, during a press conference addressing recent police-involved shootings. His message is clear: during the current state of emergency, armed offenders who confront police can anticipate a decisive and forceful response.

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We are in a state of emergency. The posture of the police in responding to the cries of the citizenry is elevated. Please warn your brothers, your fathers, your uncles, whomsoever...if you know you are involved in criminal activity, don’t arm yourself and go in people’s house.

Speaking from the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, Guevarro defended the actions of officers, emphasizing their heightened state of alert and their duty to respond to citizens' calls for help. The timing of his remarks, coinciding with news of another fatality during a home invasion in the Central Division, underscores the escalating crime situation and the police's aggressive posture.

Guevarro's appeal extends beyond law enforcement; he directly implored citizens to warn family members involved in criminal activity. He stressed the importance of reporting such individuals to the police, arguing that it is better to provide evidence for their apprehension than to face the tragic outcome of burying them after they are killed during a crime.

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Do not go in people’s houses. That is the warning that should be going out there. It is not yours, don’t go and look for it. They are still lawful means to make money in this country.

This stance reflects a national sentiment of frustration with persistent crime, particularly home invasions that terrorize communities. The Commissioner's message, "Stay out of people’s houses," is a direct and unambiguous call to action, aiming to deter criminals and reassure the public that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is committed to confronting armed criminality with firm and immediate action. The emphasis on reporting suspicious activity through emergency numbers like 999 and 555 highlights the collaborative approach needed to combat crime effectively.

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To those who believe that they could invade people’s homes, confront my officers and terrorise communities, the message is unmistakable. Armed criminality will be met with firm and immediate police response.