As Tobago recorded its tenth murder over the course of this weekend, Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George has expressed concern over the increase of crime-related deaths on the island.
Speaking with Loop News, George said Tobago now records a rate of “ almost one per month,” despite calls to the Commissioner of Police to focus more intense action on the island.
“To ensure that if there is one single division within the TTPS that you can describe as a safe zone, we have said it must be first and foremost Tobago. It’s the smallest division, the easiest to patrol and control and there is absolutely no reason why Tobago is not a safe space.”
George noted that calls were also made to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) in the past, to show whether it had any plans or initiatives to partner with the protective services, including the Airports Authority to ensure that the island remains safe.
“This means that we have to cut off the flow and supply of illegal guns and drugs that keep flowing into Tobago.”
Noting that port scanners to enter the inter-island ferries were non-functional at present, George said it made “absolutely no sense” that walk-in passengers were being scanned, while vehicles, possibly carrying illegal weapons, were not.
“Tobago needs better than this. If we were to create a scenario where Tobago is a sustainable tourism environment, then safety is the number one priority to visitors. No one wants to come to a county where you have advisories being issued.”
He said the business community is also willing to step in and assist.
“Tobago needs to do better, the TTPS needs to do better, the THA needs to do better. We of the Tobago Business Chamber are willing to work with and partner with the THA and the TTPS to try to ensure that there is a comprehensive concrete plan in place to ensure the future, safety and security of Tobagonians.”
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