Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams says 2015 is projected to have a ten per cent reduction in serious crimes compared to last year.
Williams spoke to the Guardian at an event in Laventille on Saturday, that included Chinese Ambassador Huang, Police top brass, Laventille East/Morvant MP Adrian Leonce, Works Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and National Security Minister Edmund Dillon. The event, titled, Christmas on the Hill IV, took place at the Sogren Trace recreation ground in Laventille.
Williams said: “We’re seeing an annual reduction in serious crimes this year, averaging around a ten per cent reduction which will take us to a new low in 32 years. 10,800 in serious crimes is the figure that we’re projecting at the end of 2015, last year it was 12,057, that would mean that figure will be taking us way back to around 1982 or 1983 to find a figure lower than that.
“That is tremendous for the organisation,” he said.
However, the number of violent crimes, homicides, has already passed the 2014 figure.
Williams said: “The police service has [a] challenge with the murders, which it has to work on. Currently, it stands at 400 and we’re hoping it stays at that and doesn’t go any further.”
He said Laventille had some history of what was called “border line”, where one person could not venture into another person’s area. Williams said they were looking to break down those border lines, and in order to accomplish that they had to engage with the adults and youths alike.
National Security Minister Edmund Dillon in his brief address promised to bolster the security arrangements for the country.
Area MP Adrian Leonce called on private stakeholders, residents and the Government to come together to “fix” Laventille, which he says has great potential. He said fixing an area like that is the key to fixing many other things in the country.
National Security Minister Edmund Dillon promised to bolster security, not just in the area but nationwide.
The Chinese Embassy donated $30,000 to the Laventille community and the T&T Chinese Mutual Support Association also donated $30,000 and 1,100 toys and gifts to the event.