TTPS, WASA strengthen response to theft, illegal activity

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is increasing its response to reports of larceny and malicious damage at Water and Sewerage Authority facilities, with the matter receiving priority attention.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro met with WASA Chairman Roshan Babwah and Chief Executive Officer Dain Maharaj, along with senior officials, during a high-level meeting today at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.

The discussions focused on theft affecting critical infrastructure, as well as growing concerns over illegal water trucking and illegal water extraction.

Guevarro said officers will thoroughly investigate all reports involving the theft of infrastructure, including cables and pipelines. He also proposed integrating WASA’s security and CCTV systems into TTPS Operational Command Centres across divisions to improve real-time monitoring of remote installations and response times to incidents.

He also raised the need for stricter regulatory oversight of the scrap iron industry, alongside more severe penalties for offences such as larceny, illegal water extraction and unlawful water distribution. He said these measures are intended to deter activities that continue to cause significant financial losses to the State.

Guevarro said sustained collaboration between the TTPS and WASA remains critical, adding that both agencies will maintain open lines of communication to support potential legislative reforms.

The meeting also examined plans to strengthen the operational capacity of WASA’s estate constables, with the TTPS expected to provide targeted training to help them respond to emerging security threats.

Also attending were Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith, Assistant Commissioner of Police Terrance Pierre, and Head of the Legal Unit Ramdath Phillip.