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  • 8 months ago
As promised, newly-installed Minister of National Security Marvin Gonzales has met with the heads of National Security.

Part of the talks involved preparation for the conclusion of the State of Emergency.

This was revealed following a meeting of the National Drug Council.

Alicia Boucher has more in this report.

Transcript
00:00With the election date set for April 28th, 2024, Minister of National Security Marvin
00:05Gonzalez, who was sworn in to the post on Monday, March 17th, says he's not swayed by
00:11the time frame when it comes to his new duties.
00:14One of the main areas of focus is the crime situation in the country.
00:18The holding of the general election, yes, it is very important at this point in time.
00:23I am not going to be distracted by April the 28th, because every single day is an important
00:30day and an opportunity for us to suppress crime, suppress gang activities and all other
00:36kinds of criminal activities in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:40So my discussions with the heads of national security has nothing to do with the election
00:44date, but just to ensure that all of the resources of the Ministry of National Security and the
00:50government of Trinidad and Tobago are geared towards reducing the incidence of crime in
00:56Trinidad and Tobago.
00:57He outlines that it's not a 40-day fix, but he sees it as an opportunity to turn a new
01:02page and restore hope among the population by what he states is a national security team
01:08committed to pushing back against the criminals and restoring a sense of safety.
01:13Gonzalez reveals that he has met with national security heads, as he said he would, subsequent
01:18to taking his oath of office.
01:21It comes as the state of emergency, which was called on December 30th, 2024 and extended
01:26for three months on January 13th, is set to end on April 13th.
01:31We are already preparing for post-state of emergency.
01:36I can tell you that we concluded a meeting at 9.30pm last night at the Ministry of National
01:42Security, a meeting that comprised of the head of the SSA, the head of the Trinidad
01:47and Tobago Police Service and the head of the Defence Force.
01:52Gonzalez says the momentum from the state of emergency must continue thereafter.
01:56And whilst yes, we acknowledge that there is a reduction in crime compared to figures
02:01from last year, it is not a place that personally, I as Minister of National Security is comfortable
02:07with.
02:08I take comfort in any reduction in crime, but I think 30% reduction, whilst yes, it
02:14is welcome, we have to prepare for post the state of emergency and the plans are already
02:21in place to ensure that we relentlessly go after the criminals.
02:26Among other areas of discussion, public trust in law enforcement and accountability.
02:32He again reiterates that every divisional head will be held to account against the backdrop
02:37of his commitment to ensure that they are properly resourced to carry out their duties.
02:42Gonzalez reveals that he had a lengthy handover on Tuesday from Minister Fitzgerald Hines.
02:48He thanks Hines for the work he has done, but he makes this pronouncement.
02:52I must say that based on what I discovered, I recognize that perhaps the Ministry of National
02:59Security has not been communicating effectively to the national population.
03:04Gonzalez signals his intention to change that, saying he plans to have open communication
03:09with all stakeholders, which he labels as critical moving forward.
03:14Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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