THE Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has moved it alert level up from yellow to orange.
In a release on Thursday, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith said this was done after directives from Chairman of the National Security Council (NSC) Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and in the need to ensure citizens adhere to their responsibilities.
Griffith said if it becomes necessary, the TTPS will move its alert to the highest level, red. The lowest level is green.
He said despite attempts to have citizens adhere to the protocols implemented by Government, there were still some people who continue to break the law and not adhere to the Regulations enforced.
The release stated, “As a result, he says the TTPS will increase its patrols throughout the country, with all 85 ERP vehicles being operational at all times throughout the country on a 24/7 basis until further notice, with support from the Highway Patrol, inclusive of the newly established TTPS Motorcyclist patrol, comprising over 100 motorbikes.
“The TTPS has received reports that some social establishments are still open for business, with people still congregating in large numbers, some gambling establishments operating behind closed doors, people are still turning up at closed beaches and a few restaurants are still accepting in-house dining.
“Commissioner Griffith says so far, the TTPS has been successful in moral persuasion by getting citizens to adhere to the recent amendment to the Public Health Ordinance, however, with the increase in cases and the refusal of some to stay within the law, he says the TTPS will be moving one step forward to ensure the laws are not broken.
“In addition to the measures being put in place, Commissioner Griffith says that ALL applications for vacation leave by police officers be restricted at this time, except in emergency cases. This is being done to have the majority of officers available during the time of crisis.”
