The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce calls on Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, as head of the National Security Council, to work with the Acing Commissioner of Police to bring “swift and effective” action to combat violent crime.

Their comments come on the heels of Thursday’s murder of businesswoman Nicole Moses at her home at Cherry Crescent, Westmoorings. 

Moses was fatally shot as she tried to secure her nephews who were on the compound at the time. 

Her brother, a licensed firearm holder, shot and killed the two bandits on the compound. 

“The brutal killing of businesswoman Nicole Moses in the presence of her family and children is barbaric. This incident occurred a few days after Brian Manswell and his staff at Reliable Appliances were also attacked and beaten  by bandits. While these incidents impact members of the business community, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have also been affected by the increase in criminal activity,” the Chamber said in a statement on Friday.

“It is of concern that in the most recent murder, two of the perpetrators collectively have 21 pending charges for robberies, home invasions and larceny. This fact highlights the loopholes in our justice system and we ask the question: How were these men allowed to continue to circulate in public because of bail entitlements?” it asked. 

Meanwhile, Acting Police Commissioner Mc Donald Jacob, responding to Thursday’s incident, called on lawmakers to review amending the Bail Act.

“One got bail recently in the month of September. One of them has eight outstanding matters before the court and the other one who is now deceased has 13 matters before the court for robberies (and) similar offences like what we call house invasions, ranging from in the northern area to the southern with various charges. And these persons were, in fact, granted bail and were outside there to continue their criminal activities,” Jacob said in reference to the Westmoorings incident.

“I’m still on that stand that the Bail Act should, in fact, be reviewed in relation to how persons can in fact be given bail because you’re dealing with one individual with 13 charges and another individual with eight pending charges for violent offences and they were in fact on bail. Take another look at that Bail Act and especially as it relates to violent offences,” he said.