A wave of frightening violent home invasions has triggered an immediate expansion of police operations across the Longdenville region and its surrounding communities, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander has confirmed to the Senate. Over just a 48-hour window between Wednesday and Friday, local authorities received at least three formal reports of home invasions in the Longdenville community, alongside two additional matching incidents in nearby Cunupia. One documented attack, which unfolded on Raghunanan Road, left a 44-year-old Longdenville resident traumatized after three masked, armed invaders held her captive for 45 minutes, repeatedly issuing death threats during the ordeal.
During a recent sitting of the Senate, Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi pressed Alexander to outline what urgent interventions the government would roll out to address rising insecurity and support residents impacted by the traumatic attacks. In his response, Alexander confirmed that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has launched a coordinated community-centered strategy to rebuild public trust and restore a sense of safety to the area as quickly as possible.
“Given the severity of the recent home invasions and traumatic incidents in Longdenville, it is critical that law enforcement continue working hand-in-hand with local residents to rebuild trust and confidence in the shortest timeframe possible,” Alexander told the upper legislative chamber. He also revealed that he had held a closed-door meeting with Longdenville residents earlier the same day, though he declined to share sensitive details of the private discussions to protect those in attendance.
Minister Alexander also noted that Longdenville was previously shortlisted for designation under a Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO), a special security framework that enables expanded law enforcement powers. The ZOSO legislation ultimately failed to pass the Senate back in January, blocking the designation from going into effect at that time.
Despite the legislative setback, Alexander confirmed that TTPS has already ramped up operational capacity across Longdenville and adjacent high-risk areas including Enterprise. The expanded security measures include a sharp increase in standard foot patrols, mobile vehicle patrols, and intelligence-driven targeted patrols. The government has also instructed the national Gang Unit to increase its activity in the region, and is preparing to reactivate joint patrol units made up of both police and military personnel to deter criminal activity.
“These steps are designed to help Longdenville residents regain that sense of safety and security that has been disrupted by criminal elements,” Alexander said, adding that all law enforcement personnel have been explicitly directed to operate within the bounds of the law while protecting local communities. According to the minister, most local residents have expressed clear support for the government’s new security measures, with one resident telling him that locals would back any intervention that delivers tangible improvements to public safety.
Alexander also highlighted that some residents have acknowledged existing gaps in personal and property security across the community, including the common practice of leaving homes and lots unsecured — a choice that creates easy opportunities for criminal actors to target properties. In response to these gaps, TTPS officers have been instructed to host community outreach sessions to educate residents on evidence-based safety practices and provide support to help households shore up their personal security.