Trinidad and Tobago has a new record - 500 murders. It's the highest ever for the nation of just over one million people and with one month to go it could reach 550 before the year ends. Compared to a country like Canada which recorded 564 murders last year in a vast country of 33 million, the alarming picture of violence becomes clearer.The latest victim was shot dead early Saturday morning.
A gunman shot Wilfred Fredericks several times in Arima. Police say the victim tried to run but collapsed and died at the scene. So far they don't know why the gunman attacked him and they have not arrested anyone. That's the pattern that's now common in crime detection.
Many of the homicides are gang-related, say police and government officials. And the most common murder weapon is a gun. But many of the murders have been committed outside of the gang atmosphere.
Police statistics raise another cause of alarm. Of the record 500 murders so far for the year only only 71 have been detected. Police say they're working "tirelessly in an attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice".
Police and government officials have held several media briefings to assure the public things are not as bad as they seem.
They have promised to deal with the problem but there is little evidence that any of the crime initiatives is working.
One of the more recent ones was to help gang-members give up their lives of crime and turn to God.
Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert and several pastors have been working on the project that involves amnesty for those who hand over weapons and choose to leave crime outside the church door.
Philbert has met with the repentant criminals and the pastors have been trying to find jobs for those who have vowed to give up crime and change their lives. And there's a hotline for those who want to enter the program.
Related story: Killings continue while police court criminals
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