00:00Prime Minister Kamala Pisan-Bissassar is pointing to a significant decline in murders
00:04crediting her government's approach to national security and the work of the protective services.
00:10According to the figures released by the Prime Minister, the murder toll stood at 523 on October 28, 2024.
00:19That figure fell to 305 in 2025 and declined further to 280 this year.
00:27The numbers represent a reduction of approximately 46% over two years and about 8% compared with the corresponding
00:35period last year.
00:37In a statement, the Prime Minister declared, quote,
00:39Trinidad and Tobago, we are seeing real progress in the fight against violent crime, end quote.
00:46Pisan-Bissassar says her administration has prioritized confronting violent criminal elements,
00:51strengthening national security and providing the protective services with the resources needed to carry out their duty.
00:57She points to legislative changes and efforts to improve the equipment available to officers,
01:04insisting that law enforcement must be able to confront heavily armed criminals.
01:09Pisan-Bissassar said, quote,
01:10From legislative changes to resourcing and equipping of protective services,
01:15we have ensured that our brave men and women are not outmanned or outgunned on the streets, end quote.
01:23The reported decline comes against the backdrop of long-standing concerns over gang violence,
01:29illegal firearms, and the devastating impact of murders on families and communities across the country.
01:34While the latest figures indicate a downward trend in killings,
01:38the numbers alone do not establish measures which are responsible for that reduction.
01:43Sustaining the progress will require continued attention to violent crime,
01:47the flow of illegal weapons, and the effectiveness of law enforcement operations.
01:53The Prime Minister herself acknowledges that the fight is far from over.
01:57She says, quote,
01:58There is still much work to be done.
02:00Every life lost to crime is one too many,
02:03and our commitment must remain focused on making our community safer, end quote.
02:08Pisan-Bissassar thanked the Ministers of Homeland Security and Defense,
02:13Commissioner of Police, Alistair Guevara, and members of the Protective Services
02:16for their continued dedication and sacrifice.
02:19The government's next test will be maintaining the reduction in murders
02:23while demonstrating that its crime-fighting measures
02:26are delivering lasting improvements in public safety.
02:29Pisan-Bissassar says, quote,
02:31The work continues.
02:32The safety of our citizens remains the priority, end quote.
02:36Ravishita Wari, Ruknarein, TV6 News.
02:43Ravishita Wari, Ruknarein, TV6 News.
02:43Ravishita Wari, Ruknarein, TV6 News.
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