Since the April 28 general election that brought the United National Congress (UNC) to power, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 81 murders, pushing the national homicide total for 2025 to 208 as of July 12.
Although the overall figure is down from the 307 murders recorded during the same period in 2024, the persistent bloodshed continues to raise alarm across the nation. Criminologists, national security experts, and newly appointed Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander are voicing concern about the scale and intensity of violence.
- Advertisement -
Alexander, who has pledged sweeping reform, is urging the public to be patient as the Government begins the complex task of restoring public safety. “We understand the urgency, but this crisis is the result of years of neglect. Real change will take time,” he said.
A Nation on Edge
The first murder reported following the UNC’s election victory was that of 43-year-old Kellon Hutchinson, who was gunned down in San Juan just hours after the polls closed. Police recovered sixteen spent .40 caliber shells and a live 9mm round at the scene.
That incident marked the beginning of a grim tally: 81 homicides in less than three months. However, Alexander noted that this is still significantly lower than the 129 murders recorded during the same post-election period in 2024.
As of Election Day 2025, the country had already reported 127 murders.
“We Inherited a Crisis”
In a recent interview with the Sunday Express, Minister Alexander painted a stark picture of the country’s national security apparatus. “We didn’t just inherit a department. We inherited a crisis—one marred by years of underfunding, poor planning, and a shocking lack of oversight,” he said.
Alexander said he was stunned by the resource deficiencies he encountered within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). “We’re talking about basic equipment—body armor, body cameras—that should have been ordered years ago. The procurement delays alone mean that even with urgency, we won’t see changes overnight.”
He also raised questions about the allocation of previous national security budgets. “I’ve seen figures presented in Parliament—millions supposedly spent on security. But from what we’ve uncovered so far, it’s hard to see where that money actually went.”
Structural Failure
According to the minister, one of the most glaring oversights in recent years has been the stagnation of manpower in the police force, despite population growth and urban expansion.
“No adjustments were made to match the size and needs of the nation. We have more people, more communities, more high-density areas—but the sanctioned strength of the Police Service has remained flat. That’s unacceptable,” he said.
Alexander emphasized that solving crime in Trinidad and Tobago will require more than reactive policing. “There are societal, economic, and infrastructural issues feeding into crime. You can’t solve this with brute force alone. You need strategy. You need a system built to prevent crime, not just respond to it.”
Empowering Citizens
Among the immediate steps under consideration is the introduction of “stand your ground” and home invasion legislation, which Alexander said will allow citizens more legal rights to defend themselves, their families, and their property.
“We’re creating space for law-abiding citizens to apply for firearms if they meet the criteria. We want people to feel empowered—not helpless—in the face of threats,” he explained.
While systemic reforms will take time, Alexander said the ministry is developing interim initiatives to offer some degree of public protection. “We’re not waiting until every piece of equipment arrives or every reform is completed. We’re moving now—on multiple fronts—to increase safety and restore confidence.”
“No One Was Minding the Store”
The minister was candid in his criticism of previous administrations, describing what he encountered as “a friendly feeding frenzy” that left national security neglected and compromised.
“At the end of the day, we have to ask—was this level of neglect intentional, or was it just apathy? Either way, the people of this country are paying the price. And we’re the ones who now have to fix it.”
Despite the pressure, Alexander remains committed to the task. “There are no easy nights in this job. But I took this role to serve, and I intend to see it through—for the safety and future of Trinidad and Tobago.”
