Jack Warner: Big changes coming to boost T&T coastal security

(Trinidad Express) There will be a complete security overhaul of the country’s coastal areas, National Security Minister Jack Warner said in Tobago yesterday.
Warner said for far too long illegal activities have been taking place along the shores of Tobago. Warner was speaking during the fifth police community caravan at Scarborough.
Two bases are earmarked for Tobago, and one is at Charlotteville.
“Of the 148 ports in our country, only 29 ports are guarded. So whatever the police do to remove arms and drugs from the streets, unless we guard our ports we shall not be doing a complete job,” said Warner.
He said 1,000 members of the Defence Force are soon to be equipped with the same powers as police officers, and these soldiers will be recruited in the fight against the criminal elements of the country.
Approximately 200 modern bullet-proof vests and firearms have already been ordered, he added,
“Some of these officers shall also be placed in Tobago, on your beaches, near to your hotels, so as to protect the tourists from attack,” Warner said.
Preparations are underway to expedite the reconstruction of Old Grange and Roxborough Police Stations and refurbishment works are to start on the Divisional Scarborough Police Station, said Warner.
“In fact, in Roxborough we just had a visit from a Canadian team, where in Roxborough you will see for the first time what we call co-locations, so you will have a police station and a fire station on the same location.”