In July, TT experienced its bloodiest month of the year, as 66 murders were recorded – nine more than the previous highest month, March which had 57.
This becomes the third bloodiest month in TT's history, only outdone in November 2021 with 69 murders and August 2022 with 68.
As of July 31, TT had suffered 350 murders for the year.
The murder count for July was provided to Newsday by a senior police source while data for January-June was obtained from the TT Police Service's website.
The monthly murder toll has been 60 or more, nine times in the past: in January and May of 2018 (60 each); in July, 2019 (60); in November, 2021 (69); in July (65), August (68) and October (66) of 2022; and in January, 2023 (61).
Newsday contacted deputy Commissioner of Police (CoP) responsible for operations Junior Benjamin on August 2 for his thoughts on the disturbing data.
He said the police was not happy with the current spike murders.
"We are seeing a slight increase compared to last year, which is approximately a three per cent increase.
"It is a bit concerning, but not alarming – meaning decreasing it is in striking distance."
He said crime varied from division-to-division and police were actively using intelligence-led, evidence-based policing and solutions.
"Where murders are gang-related we have put the necessary infrastructure and strategies in place to deal with the prolific offenders.
"Where it is domestic we are addressing the situation by having community police and initiatives to assist in those areas."
The senior police source broke down the murders in July by division – Port of Spain (14), Southern (7), Western (2), Northern (8), Central (8), Southwestern (6), Eastern (7), Northeastern (7), North Central (1) and Tobago (6).
Benjamin said the TTPS are utilising the best practices from all over the world to assess the situation.
"It might be slowly, but surely we will overcome situation."
With 50 murders being recorded in July, 2023, this July saw 16 more murders – a 32 per cent increase.
July also recorded a 29 per cent increase over murders this June in which there were 51.
When tallied, the murder toll up to July 31 this year stood at 350, 12 more than July 31 last year (338) – a 3.55 per cent increase.
On July 14, Comissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher said she aimed to reduce homicides by ten per cent this year, but is not currently on course to meet that target.
Harewood-Christopher said her violent-crime-reduction plan was a holistic one aimed at managing violent crime.
“We are focusing on the dismantling of criminal gangs, the retrieval of illegal firearms, the eradication of drug blocks, and increased focus on transnational crime. We are enhancing our police intelligence capability. We are leveraging the use of technology to enhance police operations.”
Harewood-Christopher said the police continued to monitor the targets set out in the plan.
“We are focusing on a 30 per cent reduction for violent crime, a 25 per cent detection for homicides, a 15 per
