ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, January 15 — Grenadian attorney Jerry Edwin has issued an urgent appeal for police protection for members of the judiciary in light of escalating violent crimes in neighboring Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Speaking to MTV News, Edwin highlighted recent incidents that have sent shockwaves through the regional legal fraternity.

Among these was the December 31 murder of Trinidadian attorney Randall Hector, who was shot dead after attending church.

Hector, known for his collaboration with the elite Strategic Services Agency, was reportedly targeted because of his work prosecuting a state case.

“We learned of an attorney on the last day of the year who was gunned down, shot to death, apparently because he was prosecuting a case on behalf of the state,” Edwin lamented. “Should we wait? Should the government and national security authorities wait for something to happen in Grenada before reacting?”

Trinidad attorney Kumari Baksh, 60, and her husband Nasheed Baksh, 67, were also murdered, found bound and gagged in their home. Their deaths occurred just hours after Hector was laid to rest, amplifying concerns about targeted violence against legal professionals.

Edwin stressed the need for heightened security measures, including police escorts for judges and prosecutors. “Can we harden the courthouses? Can we ensure the Director of Public Prosecutions has a police escort at all times?” he questioned.

Edwin also urged Grenadians to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding the island’s borders. “If you see something, say something,” he pleaded. “I’m afraid we’re at the tip of the iceberg.”

Trinidad and Tobago recorded 624 murders in 2024, with similar surges also reported in neighboring St. Lucia and St. Vincent.