Young holds National Security Mtg with Hinds, Top Cop, others

Following a spate of murders within the past 24 hours, Acting Prime Minister Stuart Young is holding a meeting of the National Security Council at Whitehall this evening. 

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is currently in the US for a medical check-up.

In an update, the Office of the Prime Minister said the development comes after a Cabinet meeting earlier today.

The OPM said:

“Heads of the protective services were called in to present their immediate plans and initiatives to confront the violent and intrusive crimes and criminal activity taking place.”

National Security Minister Fitsgerald Hinds and Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher are also at the meeting, along with Chief of Defence Staff, Air Vice Marshall Darryl Daniel and Director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), Brigadier General (Ret’d) Anthony Phillips-Spencer.

The OPM said Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, Junior Benjamin, Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Natasha George, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin and Lt. Commander Sherrise Moore and officers of the SSA were also in attendance, along with other members of the National Security Council.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said it is actively pursuing leads in several investigations following a spate of murders, including the brazen daylight killing of North West Regional Health Authority worker Jamal Watts, on the compound of the St James Medical Complex, on Wednesday. 

The TTPS said joint police-army patrols will be increased in several areas, along with several other anti-crime measures, following these incidents.