Government to Introduce ZOSOs Following Crime Reduction

The government has announced plans to introduce Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) similar to Jamaica’s model to combat crime, as the country has seen a reduction in crime rates during a State of Emergency (SoE) set to end on January 31, 2026. Jamaica established ZOSOs in 2017 to address high crime rates in specific areas through enhanced security and community development. Attorney General John Jeremie stated that the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration aims to advance ZOSO legislation to target crime hotspots without the need for a SoE, which has produced noticeable benefits. The legislation, currently before the House, is intended to ensure proportionality between responses and threats. Instead of a national SoE, focus will be on hotspots. There will also be some parameters under which the ZOSOs will operate, with checks, controls, and judicial oversight. Trinidad and Tobago recorded a 42% decline in murders last year compared to the previous year, the lowest murder figures since 2014. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) reported declining crime rates and improved detection rates.

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