Akash Samaroo
Lead Editor – Politics
The Maloney Buildings Housing Development has become the first community to be declared a closed area under the Special Operations Act, 2026, with residents now subject to a nightly curfew between 9 pm and 5 am.
The declaration was made by President Christine Kangaloo through Legal Notice No. 847, dated November 10, while a separate order, Legal Notice No. 848, imposed the curfew on the community.
However, the move has already sparked unease among residents, with Trincity/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis accusing the Government of imposing restrictions without adequately informing those affected.
“Without a clear communication to residents, Maloney is now under lockdown, leaving law-abiding citizens frightened, confused and unsure whether they need permits simply to get home,” Robinson-Regis said.
“I have received calls from residents in a state of panic. Even the police reportedly do not have clear information on the process, yet residents are being told the community is locked down from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.”
There is a heavy police presence in the community tonight, with members of the public reporting that law enforcement officers have blocked all roads leading into and out of the housing development.
There are also reports of police using a loudspeaker to announce the restrictions to residents.
In a recording of the announcement shared with Guardian Media, a voice identifying itself as the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service informs residents that their community has been declared a closed area.
“During these hours, all persons within the designated area must remain inside your premises unless otherwise legally authorised, or with a valid curfew permit,” the announcement states.
Residents are also being urged to cooperate with police officers and follow all lawful instructions.
Robinson-Regis questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision, drawing comparisons with other recent incidents of violent crime.
“A murder occurred in Couva yesterday, yet no comparable lockdown. A shooting in Maloney, with no fatalities, and an entire community is placed under restrictions,” she said.
The MP argued that while public safety was important, the Government had a responsibility to protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
“Government cannot use national security as an excuse to disregard people’s rights, dignity and freedom of movement. Residents deserve answers, clear communication and an explanation. You cannot keep people in the dark and expect them to simply accept it.”
She added, “Public safety matters, but so do the rights of the people we are elected to serve.”
The development was also highlighted by Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle, who announced the measures in a Facebook post tonight.
“Kamla/UNC has made Maloney Buildings Development a CLOSED AREA with immediate effect,” Marcelle wrote.
The orders represent the first reported use of the closed-area provisions under the Special Operations Act, which was passed in Parliament in September and proclaimed in October.
Under Section 11 of the legislation, the President may declare an area within a policing district a closed area where there are reasonable grounds to believe that public safety and peace are threatened by escalating violent crime, including murders, shootings, kidnappings or gang-related activity.
The law also identifies the prevalence of illegal firearms, ammunition, weapons or explosives, as well as gang control or intimidation of communities, as grounds for such a declaration.
However, the legislation requires that ordinary law enforcement measures be insufficient to maintain or restore public safety and peace in the affected area.
In the case of Maloney, the order states that the President was satisfied, on reasonable grounds, that public safety and peace within the area, which falls under Policing District Two, were threatened.
The gazetted order does not identify specific criminal incidents or provide detailed evidence supporting the declaration.
Under Section 14, people within a designated closed area can be required to remain inside their premises during specified hours unless otherwise authorised by the order or granted a permit.
For Maloney residents, this means remaining indoors between 9 pm and 5 am unless an exemption or permit applies.
The declaration is confined to the Maloney Buildings Housing Development in Maloney Gardens and does not extend to the entire Maloney community.
Both orders were issued under provisions allowing the House of Representatives to revoke them through a negative resolution.
On Monday there were several shootings in the Maloney Buildings community.
