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National Security Minister Meets THA Chief Secretary to Address Crime in Tobago
Minister of National Security, the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds Meets with Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, the Honourable Farley Augustine to Address National Security Issues
April 12, 2024 – The Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds, Minister of National Security, along with law enforcement and administrative personnel, met today with the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the Honourable Farley Augustine, and other THA officials. This high-level meeting, held at the Ministry of National Security in Port of Spain, focused on addressing critical national security issues affecting Tobago.
Officials present from the Ministry of National Security and the Tobago House of Assembly included Ms. Natasha Barrow and Mrs. Nataki Atiba-Dilchan (Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of National Security), Mrs. Denese Toby-Quashie (Chief Administrator, THA), Mrs. Erla Harewood-Christopher (Commissioner of Police), Lieutenant Colonel Collin Millington (Director of Operations, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force), Lieutenant Commander Valene Valentine (Base Commander, Tobago Command of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard), Ms. Marcia Charles-Elbourne (General Manager/CEO, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago), and Mr. Rishi Singh (Head of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, TTPS).
Minister Hinds advised that the purpose of the engagement was to address the very serious issues of crime and criminality in Tobago, particularly homicides and gun-violence. The discussions covered a wide cross-section of security matters, including updates on improvements to the national security infrastructure, assets, and personnel.
A key issue ventilated was the safety and security of the fisherfolk in Tobago, and the crucial need for greater collaboration between the fisherfolk community and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG). Minister Hinds gave assurances that the TTCG would be mandated to heighten its preventative and interdiction activity, aligning with the Ministry’s focus on Tobago’s border security.
The Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher, gave the assurance that the TTPS will continue to deploy resources to Tobago, including increased patrols and technical air support. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine welcomed these partnerships and committed the THA’s support for the proposed initiatives. Both parties agreed that the information shared would also be useful in future outreach campaigns to citizens, in collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly.
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