Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has has asked President Christine Kangaloo to declare another state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago in an effort to curb escalating gang violence.

In a statement announcing the measure, which took effect on March 3, Persad-Bissessar said she received a security briefing on March 2 from the National Security Council.

The briefing included updates from Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo and the Head of the Strategic Services Agency.

According to the Prime Minister, the council reported that violent criminal activity — much of it linked to organised gangs — had increased since the previous state of emergency ended on January 31.

She said the NSC noted that multiple people had been killed in mass shootings and reprisal attacks, which, if left unchecked, would endanger public safety.

The council also informed her of threats against police officers, prison officers and other members of the security and legal services.

“I had previously warned the criminal gangs and detainees released from prison that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up with their criminality, and if they cannot behave themselves, I would have no hesitation in having another SoE declared,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“I also indicated that violent gang members would be returned straight to prison, and this time, their friends and family who aid their criminality would accompany them. I reiterate my words that if criminals want to terrorize law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorise criminals and those who aid and abet them.”

The Prime Minister said her administration will continue to pressure the country’s criminal elements and will use all available resources to ensure that gains made during the previous state of emergency to reduce the murder rate are not reversed.