Dillon: More security for central

Speaking in the Senate, he said these additional resources include members of the Rapid Response Unit, Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch.

He said this has resulted in an increased number of mobile and foot patrols in the area.

Dillon also disclosed that the managerial capacity of the Central Division of the Police Service has been strengthened “with the creation of the portfolio of Assistant Commissioner of Police (CoP) Central, an executive officer at the rank of Assistant CoP being assigned the responsibility to oversee the entire division.”

He explained that in this new arena, “the Central Division will receive more focused attention as it will be grouped with one other division, as opposed to the original arrangement of being one of the three divisions.”

He continued, “Officers attached to stations in the Central Division are well equipped with the requisite protective gear including bulletproof vests, firearms and vehicles to enable them to perform their duties effectively.”

Asked by Opposition Senator Wade Mark whether armoured personnel carriers would be acquired for the security forces given what is being reported as sophisticated equipment being used by criminals in central Trinidad, Dillon replied that law enforcement officers are “well equipped to treat with any eventuality at this time.”

Earlier in the sitting, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee- Scoon said TT remains attractive to investors despite the challenges posed by crime. She cited political stability, easy access to the Americas and low-cost energy as some of the reasons why businesses continued to invest in TT.