Crime to be Tackled in 2024

Twelve out of the thirteen murders recorded in Tobago for 2023 were gun-related, and the victims in each of those cases were men. The only outlier was recorded on Tuesday when the burnt remains of a woman were found. She is believed to be a victim of domestic abuse, and police are working on bringing the suspect before the court. However, the gun-related nature of the other twelve murders is not sitting well with Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. So much so that while presenting motions of Christmas and New Year’s greetings in the Assembly Legislature, he spent a few moments addressing the situation, particularly Wednesday’s double murder.

“Most concerning is the news report that suggests or states rather… you know part of this involves persons known to the police and known to be involved in gangs that originate out of Trinidad but they are from Tobago which says that the gang culture in the country is becoming nationalized“. Augustine does not want the gang culture to take root in Tobago any further and signaled that, in 2024, serious action must be taken.

In Wednesday’s double murder, 33-year-old Akiem Firth was the intended target for gunmen at Chill Out Bar in Bon Accord. Unfortunately, 61-year-old Lawrence Fritz-Alleyne was caught in the fracas and lost his life. A third bystander was also shot but survived. Augustine called for effective strategies in apprehending suspects and reforming delinquent individuals.

Meanwhile, Tobago TTUTA Officer Bradon Roberts called for a more collaborative effort with the THA in 2024 to implement necessary interventions at the primary and secondary school levels. He believes that a well-structured education system can play a major role in reforming behaviors and lessening deviant behaviors in society.

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