FOR just the second time in 2024, Tobago went a month without a murder.

The island has registered a record 25 murders for the year, but has gone its longest stretch without a killing – over 40 days.

There were no murders in April, separated by killings on March 26 and May 4. The last murder in Tobago took place around October 13 when the body of a man, Marcus Archer, was found near the beach behind the ANR Robinson International Airport in Crown Point.

Apart from murders, there have been a decline in shootings and gang violence on the island.

The crime situation in Tobago was so drastic earlier this year that a day after a quadruple murder in Black Rock on July 8, the National Security Council held a meeting on the island to discuss the situation. Chief Secretary Farley Augustine attended that meeting and expressed satisfaction with the plans discussed.

“If we are able to execute them, I think we will be able to make a significant dent. We are not too far gone," he said on July 9.

Cops tackling drug blocks

In an interview with Newsday on December 2, Snr Supt Earl Elie said police have been targeting the drug blocks on the island.

He said, "We have focused a lot on eradication of the drug blocks. We've had daily drug-block exercises with the aim of total eradication, which would take some time, but it's a work in progress."

He said there have been several arrests within the recent weeks for various offences and the recovery of illegal guns and ammunition.

Asked which area the guns were found, he said,"All over."

Elie said the increased police presence on the island is being felt.

"I'm sure you would have noticed an increase in the police presence on the roadways and public places in Tobago. Those patrols are there, interactive patrols.

"We have a lot more in store, but we will reveal that as time goes by."

Elie said the direct E-999 line promised to Tobago following the Nat Sec meeting is currently up and running.

Public helping crime-fight

ACP Oswain Subero said the public has been receptive to the appeal by police for assistance. He said police have met the public halfway and are building a close relationship with communities.

"I cannot realistically tell us what we have done as our plan of action, but we have had tremendous support from members of the community who have concerns about what has taken place.

"We had two town-hall meetings and done some community-outreach meetings, meeting persons in the different spaces who are willing to assist the police with the shootings and murders."

He said apart from the shootings and murders, the Tobago division had been doing well in its policing.

Elie added, "So hopefully the actions and strategies we put in place continue to bear fruit so Tobago would once again be a safe place for the citizens and residents. That is our objective, that is our dream."

Asked about the Trinidad officers on the ground in Tobago, Elie said they have embraced the challenge and have fit in well. He declined to say how many officers were on the island