Criminologists are urging community police officers in crime-affected areas to assume the role of mediators, aiming to de-escalate issues before they escalate into serious crimes such as murders or shootings. Dr. Randy Seepersad and Darius Figuera provided these suggestions in response to the recent actions of the T&T Police Service, where gang leaders were apprehended and subsequently released. A Trinidad Express report suggesting that police officers had brokered a peace deal between rival gangs in east Port-of-Spain was refuted by the police. Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley also cautioned against officers negotiating with gang members. When asked about the potential benefits of making deals or engaging with gangs, Seepersad expressed the belief that "you can't make deals with gang leaders or gang members or anybody else.""However, officers entering communities and comprehending the issues will be equipped to mediate conflicts when they arise," Seepersad remarked. "They might be able to de-escalate a situation that could become volatile or even violent, leading to multiple deaths, as inter-gang rivalries often begin with minor incidents and escalate into retaliations." Figuera emphasized that despite claims of intervention to quell violence in Port-of-Spain, there has been no visible impact. Regarding the recent exercise targeting gang cells, Figuera asserted that the underlying reality and structure fueling the violence remained untouched. He contended that the only effective approach to dealing with mature gangland issues is through the dismantling of gangs, achieved by arresting individuals and ensuring swift justice. Figuera emphasized that there are no shortcuts, and public relations efforts cannot replace concrete actions, stating, "PR doesn’t block bullets." In another development, Seepersad disclosed that a study funded by the USAID was conducted on gangs in Trinidad and Tobago and 11 other Caribbean countries, with the United States leading the study. The report, currently under review by the U.S., will be shared with Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, the police, and intelligence agencies. The study cited the latest police figures, indicating 186 active gangs in Trinidad and Tobago as of 2022.Among the total of 186 gangs identified in Trinidad and Tobago as of 2022, the Western Division accounted for the highest number, with 45 gangs. Following closely, the Northern Division had 31 gangs, while Port-of-Spain ranked third with 21 gangs. While the study's report includes various recommendations to strengthen the anti-gang efforts, Dr. Randy Seepersad refrained from disclosing them, citing reliance on "intelligence reports and police data, much of which is confidential."