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401 MURDERS
2 South killings push toll to record high
Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, September 28th 2008
Graph showing the T&T murder toll from 2001 to present using Homicide statistics. Compiled by Denyse RenneThe murder toll yesterday reached the 401 mark, according to Express statistics. Two murders occurred in South during the wee hours of yesterday morning, pushing the toll to the highest ever in this country's history. (See stories below.)
The total homicide figure for 2007 was 392.
Figures from the Homicide Bureau last Friday put the murder figure at 395.
Of the 401 people listed as murdered for the year, 31 were female, including two children-Hope Arismandez, eight, of Lime Head Road, Chaguanas, whose battered body was found in a canefield on the outskirts of Felicity; and Roshini Ramdial, three, of Asaraff Road, Charlieville, who died after being beaten about the body on July 5. Twenty-eight females were murdered last year.
Twelve taxi-drivers plying their trade were also found dead, also one kidnap victim, as well as seven State witnesses and four law enforcement officers who were attached to the Defence Force, Fire, Prison and Police Services.
According to Sunday Express statistics, only 50 murders have been detected, with the highest detection rate being in the Eastern Division. Statistics from Homicide further showed Port of Spain as having recorded 115 murders-the highest in a division for the year thus far, with a detection number of ten.
Thirty-nine murders have been recorded for September with three days to go before the end of the month. May has been the bloodiest month thus far, with a record 56 murders, while June recorded the second highest number of homicides at 55.
Twenty eight murders were recorded for February, while January, March, April and August accounted for 42, 41, 40 and 49 murders, respectively.
The Sunday Express homicide figure of 401 does not include two cases of manslaughter recorded in Tobago and ten inquests ordered by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)-these are also not recorded in Homicide figures of murders for the year.
Three shootings, two stabbings and a beating resulting in death are still under investigation and yet to be classified by Homicide-as such, these six killings are neither included in the Sunday Express figures nor Homicide figures. Killings are only classified as murders when an autopsy is done or when an investigation is completed, homicide officials said.
The murder toll continues to rise unabated despite two retreats held by various heads of T&T national security in a bid to combat crime, moreso the homicide rate. The runaway murder toll is blamed on on gang violence, illegal guns and the illegal drug trade.
On January 3, National Security Minister Martin Joseph said crime measures have failed to curb crime.
Following this declaration, various heads of national security-former commissioner of police Trevor Paul, acting CoP James Philbert, DCPs Glen Roach and Gilbert Reyes, Brig Roland Maundy, head of the Regiment, Coast Guard and Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T director Peter Joseph-held a three-day retreat at Salybia resort.
On September 5, Philbert and his senior officers also went on a three-day retreat to Grafton Beach Resort in Tobago.
On Friday, Joseph (Martin) announced during a Senate debate that SAUTT had been mandated to deal with gang-related crimes.
2 South killings push toll to record high
Denyse Renne drenne@trinidadexpress.com
Sunday, September 28th 2008
Graph showing the T&T murder toll from 2001 to present using Homicide statistics. Compiled by Denyse RenneThe murder toll yesterday reached the 401 mark, according to Express statistics. Two murders occurred in South during the wee hours of yesterday morning, pushing the toll to the highest ever in this country's history. (See stories below.) The total homicide figure for 2007 was 392.
Figures from the Homicide Bureau last Friday put the murder figure at 395.
Of the 401 people listed as murdered for the year, 31 were female, including two children-Hope Arismandez, eight, of Lime Head Road, Chaguanas, whose battered body was found in a canefield on the outskirts of Felicity; and Roshini Ramdial, three, of Asaraff Road, Charlieville, who died after being beaten about the body on July 5. Twenty-eight females were murdered last year.
Twelve taxi-drivers plying their trade were also found dead, also one kidnap victim, as well as seven State witnesses and four law enforcement officers who were attached to the Defence Force, Fire, Prison and Police Services.
According to Sunday Express statistics, only 50 murders have been detected, with the highest detection rate being in the Eastern Division. Statistics from Homicide further showed Port of Spain as having recorded 115 murders-the highest in a division for the year thus far, with a detection number of ten.
Thirty-nine murders have been recorded for September with three days to go before the end of the month. May has been the bloodiest month thus far, with a record 56 murders, while June recorded the second highest number of homicides at 55.
Twenty eight murders were recorded for February, while January, March, April and August accounted for 42, 41, 40 and 49 murders, respectively.
The Sunday Express homicide figure of 401 does not include two cases of manslaughter recorded in Tobago and ten inquests ordered by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)-these are also not recorded in Homicide figures of murders for the year.
Three shootings, two stabbings and a beating resulting in death are still under investigation and yet to be classified by Homicide-as such, these six killings are neither included in the Sunday Express figures nor Homicide figures. Killings are only classified as murders when an autopsy is done or when an investigation is completed, homicide officials said.
The murder toll continues to rise unabated despite two retreats held by various heads of T&T national security in a bid to combat crime, moreso the homicide rate. The runaway murder toll is blamed on on gang violence, illegal guns and the illegal drug trade.
On January 3, National Security Minister Martin Joseph said crime measures have failed to curb crime.
Following this declaration, various heads of national security-former commissioner of police Trevor Paul, acting CoP James Philbert, DCPs Glen Roach and Gilbert Reyes, Brig Roland Maundy, head of the Regiment, Coast Guard and Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T director Peter Joseph-held a three-day retreat at Salybia resort.
On September 5, Philbert and his senior officers also went on a three-day retreat to Grafton Beach Resort in Tobago.
On Friday, Joseph (Martin) announced during a Senate debate that SAUTT had been mandated to deal with gang-related crimes.
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