00:00The Home Invasion, Self-Defense and Defense of Property Bill 2025 came into effect in January of 2026.
00:08Despite this, home invasions continue to be a major concern for the country.
00:12Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander has provided statistics pertaining to this crime amid having the legislative tool enforced.
00:21According to information from the Trinidad Police Service, a total of 69 reports of home invasion has been reported as
00:29of April 19, 2026, since the enactment of this legislation.
00:36Alexander notes that this would have been previously classified under different subheadings of crime, such as robbery, larceny and burglaries.
00:44The minister is of the view that the intention behind the new law will materialize.
00:49It is anticipated that with the introduction of this new legislation, Mr. Speaker, and for the corresponding period and the
00:57provisions of the defense of property, these incidents will decline over time.
01:04Further, Mr. Speaker, 25 persons have been charged under the Act during the same period.
01:12Alexander states that investigations are continuing and he expects that more people will face the judicial system.
01:19As you would have seen in the central division, a number of persons would have been arrested and a number
01:25of persons would have left the earth suddenly, Mr. Speaker.
01:30As a result of that, the investigation continues and a number of persons was identified as participants in home invasions.
01:37He was asked to explain himself further by Ruka Lupino MP Marvin Gonzalez.
01:43Minister, can you explain what is the meaning of persons who would have left the earth suddenly?
01:54Honorable minister.
01:55Mr. Speaker, what was meant is that there were persons conducting home invasion in central and because of their behavior,
02:05they would have invited their own deaths.
02:06But Alexander declined to answer when asked how many people have been charged under the Anti-Gang Act since the
02:14proclamation of the state of emergency and if anyone has been charged for the murder plot against law enforcement officers.
02:21I am constrained to invoke the provisions of Standing Order 28-3 of the Standing Orders, Mr. Speaker, out of
02:36deference for the work of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
02:42Gonzalez argues against the invocation of that Standing Order, saying it is in the interest of the public.
02:48This country is under a state of emergency based on these factors and the people of Trinidad and Tobago are
02:57deserving of answers to these critical things.
02:59The question remained unanswered despite Gonzalez's protest.
03:04Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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