00:00The Minister says over time, citizens will see more police and more joint patrols.
00:07However, he stressed that it must be all hands on deck, noting that police officers cannot do it alone.
00:15When asked about the number of guns seized so far, Minister Scotland said the police can only do so much
00:23and called on the population to share any information they may have about crime and illegal firearms.
00:30So we are saying help, come forward with the information to assist in the detection, in the location of these firearms.
00:41I don't think that 43 is enough, that is not a figure that is pleasing because we would want to at least increase that and double that.
00:53So I am agreeing with you in the sense that there needs to be a greater detection of illegal arms and ammunition.
01:03The Minister further highlighted the reduction in homicides since the start of the state of emergency.
01:09For the corresponding time last year, there were 34 murders, correct?
01:16Now, for this time this year, there are 18. Is it objectively determined, can we agree that that's almost a 50% reduction?
01:28My calculations are 18 and 18 is 36, so give it about a 45 or 48% reduction, am I correct?
01:36Yeah, go ahead.
01:38You cannot argue with that statistic.
01:41Minister Scotland noted that it is a daunting task to eliminate all murders, but said the state of emergency is a step in the right direction.
01:51And remember, it is a state of emergency that is measured.
01:57It still has the certain fundamental rights of the citizenry have not been affected, bearing in mind the time of year that we are into.
02:11I think that right-thinking people may consider, given the government, a passing grade in this regard.
02:21When asked about the statement made by the Prime Minister regarding police officers hiding in police stations and taking off the lights,
02:28Minister Scotland said that statement was made in the context of the brazenness of criminals and the report received by the Prime Minister.
02:38He added that the government remains committed to the police service, recognizing the critical role they play for safety and security in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:49When pressed further for evidence to support the Prime Minister's claim, he said this.
02:54I can share certain information with you, but it will only fuel, it will only fuel, further fuel a debate which, in my view, will be counterintuitive and counterproductive.
03:09Because if I answer you yes, yes, then there will be an entire debate.
03:14Well, now look, the Honourable Minister in the Ministry who is responsible for the police has said that.
03:19What I can tell you, so I will not engage relative to that.
03:24If you want to ask what information the Honourable Prime Minister had, you certainly can ask him that.
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