By FRANCIS JOSEPH
The escalating and dangerous situation involving gangs at Maloney was the reason behind the decision to lock down that district on Tuesday evening.
Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, speaking at a TTPS Media Conference on Wednesday, said he saw a video circulating where children were forced to duck and run in an act of desperation to seek cover in an effort to save their lives.
Guevarro added, “As Commissioner of Police, I found that footage deeply disturbing and immediately upon reviewing that video, I contacted the divisional commander for the area, senior superintendent Avalon Frank and directed that immediate action be taken.
A series of law enforcement operations were subsequently conducted utilizing traditional policing methods in an effort to identify the offenders, recover the firearms and restore public safety. But despite those efforts, intelligence continued to reveal an escalating and dangerous situation involving gangs who utilize the said Maloney housing development as a place of refuge.”
The Top Cop continued, “Intelligence also indicated that these incidents were linked to historical gang conflicts which in the past have resulted in fatal reprisals and protracted cycles of violence. Most concerning to me was the fact that innocent citizens were being caught in the crossfire. The video which circulated nationally and internationally was not merely a recording of a criminal act, it was a visual representation of ordinary citizens, law-abiding citizens being terrorized.”
Guevarro said the video showed women running for cover, showed little children fleeing in panic and it showed a community being held hostage by criminality. “No citizen in Trinidad and Tobago should live with that. Having carefully reviewed the intelligence, the operational assessments and the legal requirements, I took the necessary steps to invoke provisions of the Special Operations Act 2026,” he added.
He said President Christine Carla Kangaloo subsequently exercised her authority under Section 111 of the Act and declared the Maloney buildings housing development located within the policing district 2 as a closed area. This was later published in legal notice 847 of 2026 and a curfew was placed via legal notice 848 of 2026.
That curfew is from 9 p.m to 5 a.m nightly.
Guevarro stated, “Thereafter, law enforcement personnel moved swiftly and decisively into the area and commenced operations in accordance with the law. I must also recognize the excellent working relationship that exists between the TTPS and the TTDF as we work together to make every place safe. Last night after the commencement of the curfew, I personally visited Maloney. I walked through the buildings and I spoke with residents.”
The Commissioner said he entered the community and engaged with people where they lived. “And you know what I saw and heard? I heard gratitude. I heard relief and I heard residents saying that for the first time in a long time they’re feeling safe.
“These are the same residents who only hours before had been forced to duck and run from indiscriminate gunfire. These are the same residents who have had to endure the fear and intimidation created by armed criminals operating within their community. But more importantly, you know what I didn’t see? The people who took to social media to criticize the TTPS for taking action geared towards saving lives.”
Guevarro said two micro units will be established north and south Maloney for persons desirous of getting curfew passes. Curfew is in effect from 9 pm to 5 am in accordance with the provisions of the Special Operations Act.
