SoE fizzle and sizzle

Confusion surrounds the application of emergency powers in Trinidad and Tobago, as evidenced by a peculiar encounter between a police superintendent and a motorist being interviewed by a TV journalist. The superintendent interrupted the interview to question the motorist's "permission...to make this public speech," a query that seemed absurd given the context of a media interview.

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Do you have permission...to make this public speech that you did?

This incident, which could have escalated to the motorist's arrest, instead resulted in him being ordered to move along because the police, under the state of emergency (SoE), had the authority to ask him to leave. The motorist's agitated departure underscored a broader public confusion about the interpretation and enforcement of the Emergency Powers Regulations.

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Under the SoE, the police have the authority to ask you to remove yourself.

While the stated objective of the SoE was to suppress gang violence, which had led to a record 624 murders in 2024, its implementation has raised questions. The declaration of the SoE at the end of 2024 initially led to a significant drop in murders. However, police recently reported an increase in killings and a rise in serious crime in the Port of Spain Division for the first five months of this year.

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acting in a manner prejudicial to the public safety of Trinidad and Tobago

The use of SoE powers has largely focused on dismantling gang networks, though concerns exist about the lack of charges being laid based on evidence gathered from detainees. An anomaly has emerged with the detention of Olive Green-Jack, ostensibly for "acting in a manner prejudicial to the public safety." The cited reason was a social media post aimed at influencing public opinion regarding the Venezuelan government, which the minister deemed potentially harmful to public safety. This detention for what appears to be an exercise of freedom of expression stands out against the anti-gang focus of the police efforts.

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addressed to the Venezuelan Government in an attempt to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety