Mon Dec 30 16:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Trinidad and Tobago Declares State of Emergency Amidst Surge in Gang Violence

**Port of Spain, Trinidad –** Trinidad and Tobago has declared a public state of emergency (SoE) in response to a dramatic escalation in gang violence and the use of high-powered weaponry, Acting Attorney General Stuart Young announced at a press conference today. The decision, made by the National Security Council, follows a spate of killings, including the deaths of five people in Laventille overnight and another fatal shooting near a police station just days prior.

Young cited intelligence from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) indicating a surge in reprisal killings and the widespread use of high-caliber weapons like AR-15s and AK-47s. He highlighted the alarming number of homicides this year, totaling approximately 623, with 61 in December alone. The Attorney General emphasized that the SoE is specifically targeted at criminals using these illegal firearms and aims to disrupt ongoing criminal operations.

Unlike previous states of emergency, this measure will not include a curfew and businesses will remain open. However, the TTPS will have expanded powers under the SoE, including the authority to search premises and individuals without warrants and detain suspects for up to 48 hours, extendable to seven days with a magistrate’s approval. The Defence Force will be on standby to assist the police. A dedicated tribunal will also be established. Details of the specific regulations governing the SoE are expected to be released later today.

While Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, head of the National Security Council, was absent from the press conference, Young stressed that the decision was based on credible intelligence regarding planned retaliatory attacks by criminal elements. National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds echoed the gravity of the situation, pointing to a significant increase in homicides in recent days, characterizing the violence as a “virtual outbreak of gang violence.”

The SoE marks a significant response to the escalating threat to national security, with authorities hoping to curb the alarming rise in gun violence and restore public safety. The government’s decision underscores the urgency of the situation and the determination to combat the escalating criminal activity plaguing the nation.

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