Trinidad and Tobago Raises Alert Level

New Americas Now, NEW YORK, NY, Tuesday January 6, 2015- Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of National Security raised the country’s alert level on Sunday January 4th, 2015 with immediate effect.

According to a press release from the Ministry, the alert level was raised in direct response to a spike in gang-related homicides and was necessary to bring the situation under immediate control. The Alert State will be led by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the National Operations Centre (NOC) the joint exercise coordinating agency.

The measures to be used in this heightened Alert State include (i) increased visibility of Joint Police Service / Defence Force patrols throughout Trinidad and Tobago; (ii) increase in Air Patrols and Air Surveillance in support of the TTPS ground initiatives; (iii) increased roadblocks and stop and search activities; and (iv) increased intelligence and surveillance exercises, specifically in all crime hot spots and among persons of interest.

The general public is kindly asked to comply with all instructions of law enforcement personnel, especially when stopped and questioned during this time.

According to the release, the current alert state of readiness is in no way intended to curtail civil liberties but has become necessary to ensure the safety and security for all.