PM commits to fight rising murder rate

PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her coalition People's Partnership government is committed to the fight against crime as Trinidad and Tobago recorded yet more murders, pushing the toll so far this year to 376.

"Murder is murder, and every single one is painful and traumatic to us. We will continue to remain committed in the fight against crime. I know the minister of national security is doing the best that he can, but there is still much more that we need to do.

"Some of the crimes are crimes of passion. That does not mean that it is something that is right. Those are more difficult to contain where it is a domestic situation, where crimes of passion are taking place," she told reporters at her annual Christmas treat at Skinner Park, south of Port-of-Spain, on Sunday.

"Every crime is one crime too much and that remains number one priority in our list - to deal with crime in Trinidad and Tobago."

Over the weekend, National Security Minister Gary Griffith said the authorities would soon launch a major crime-fighting initiative.

Griffith said that the Virtual Police Officers would, when launched, make every law-abiding citizen a virtual police officer.