POLICE COMMISSIONER Allister Guevarro said yesterday that the fear of crime had people in a state of paranoia and afraid to cooperate with police.

The top cop had previously raised the issue of fear of crime on April 16 at a T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce meeting and said then that fear, more than crime itself, is becoming one of the most damaging forces affecting Trinidad and Tobago’s economy and public confidence. He argued that national discourse around crime is being distorted, despite data showing measurable improvements.

Former commissioner of police Gary Griffith criticised the statement in a social media post, saying it was the CoP’s role not only to reduce crime but the fear and perception of crime among the population. Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales, in a statement, said despite the country being under emergency powers with the state of emergency they “are witnessing scenes of horror, institutional breach and national trauma” and this was not the fear of crime but the reality of crime.