Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced a boost in Government’s fight against crime with the establishment of 30 joint army-police posts at major intersections and highways over the next four months.The new initiative is being rolled out ahead of the scheduled end of the state of emergency (SoE) on September 17.Since the United National Congress (UNC) Government took office in May 2025, two states of emergency have been implemented.
‘RESPONDING TO CALL’: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
In a statement on Facebook yesterday, the Prime Minister said her Government would establish 30 joint army-police posts as part of an expanded national security strategy aimed at increasing the visibility of the protective services and reclaiming communities from criminal elements.Persad-Bissessar said the initiative responds to long-standing calls from residents for a greater security presence in their communities and reflects the Government’s commitment to tackling crime through closer collaboration among the country’s protective services.“I am pleased to inform citizens that in the upcoming four months 30 joint army-police posts will be placed in communities across the country. Many communities have for years requested increased security presence and the protective services and Government is moving aggressively to provide such,” she said.Persad-Bissessar said the joint posts are expected to provide reassurance to residents while helping to restore public spaces that have, in some areas, been overtaken by criminal activity.“These joint army-police posts will provide a sense of comfort and help communities regain the use of their public spaces,” she stated.The Prime Minister also appealed to civil society and the private sector to partner with the protective services to ensure the success of the initiative.“I encourage NGOs, business chambers, community groups and councils to adopt and support these posts and work with the security services,” she said.Persad-Bissessar said the proposed locations for the first phase of the programme include several key intersections, highways and community hubs across the country.She listed 24 locations already identified and indicated that six more will be added.The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Government’s confidence in the country’s security leadership, thanking the heads of the various protective services and their officers for their continued efforts to combat crime.“On behalf of all law-abiding citizens I again express sincere gratitude to (Commissioner of Police) Allister Guevarro, SSA director Alicia Henry, (Chief of Defence Staff) Commodore Don Polo, Prison Superintendent Elvin Scanterbury, and all their colleagues and reaffirm our confidence in them, and their shared vision of ending the grip of crime on our nation,” she said.
