PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has expressed disappointment that Trinidad and Tobago’s murder toll for 2024 has surpassed 600.

“I am very disappointed in the outturn where once again in this small nation, frequent killings see us, for the second year straight, recording over 600 deaths attributed to widespread violence,” Rowley said in a statement posted to social media on Thursday.

“The unacceptable high level of violent crime in the country has attracted the consistent attention and not inconsiderable resources of the state,” said the prime minister, who added that more work needs to be done in several areas to curb the crime rate.

“It was my hope and genuine expectation that the ongoing national effort against violent crime, particularly murders and other violent assaults, would have seen a visible reduction in number as we go forward.”

He said despite significant efforts of the national security agencies, criminals continue to operate without fear of detection and certainty of timely, dissuading punishment.

Rowley appealed to the police to make criminals uncomfortable with “penetrating detection methods”.

“The government will continue to provide full support to the police and other agencies and encourages all stakeholders from the home to the courthouse to provide no safe harbour and comfort to the criminal element which believes that it can plan, execute and terrorise the nation with impunity.”

To the population, Rowley said, “To those who know and are doing or saying nothing, stop normalising criminal conduct in your social life and to those who share the proceeds of violent criminal conduct, stop encouraging or shielding your family members and friends who are engaging in criminal conduct.”

With respect to the Judiciary, he said, “To those in authority who are responsible for dispensing justice, stop pretending that criminals are the victims who deserve only mercy when by their heartless, lawless behaviour they are to receive firm punishment as prescribed by the law as enacted in anticipation to cover the various destabilising practices.”

The prime minister also promised the government’s continued full support for the police and urged the police, the Judiciary and the population to work together with the government to bring crime under control.

“We as a nation cannot get the upper hand of criminal conduct which has evolved to becoming a major public health issue at this time. We will all need to do more and even do differently if we are to keep violent criminal conduct where it belongs,” he noted.