Securing Trinidad and Tobago — A Deep Dive Into Crime

October 25th, 2024

“Several community-led initiatives and partnerships in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) have made positive impacts in addressing crime and improving security, and these initiatives demonstrate the power of community engagement in creating safer environments,” stated Dr Raghunath Mahabir, Assistant Professor, National Security and Intelligence Studies and Graduate Programme Coordinator at the University of the Southern Caribbean.

Community-Led Solutions to Crime in T&T

While T&T faces significant crime and security challenges with high crime rates, Mahabir stressed that community-led initiatives are making strides to address crime and enhance security. These, he noted, include “Community Policing Forums, which foster dialogue between residents and law enforcement, youth empowerment programmes like the Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme, YTEPP, which provides skills training and job opportunities for at-risk youth, neighbourhood watch groups collaborating to monitor and report suspicious activities, and social services outreach which provides support to vulnerable populations.”

In his assessment of the current crime and security situation in T&T, Mahabir highlighted significant risks in Port of Spain and other ‘hot spots’, including pickpocketing, assault, theft, robbery, home invasions, and murder. While foreigners are not explicitly targeted, incidents often occur in tourist and expatriate-frequented areas. “Gang-related activities and drug trafficking exacerbate the high crime rate,” Mahabir stated, underscoring socioeconomic disparities such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities as driving crime. Drug trafficking, gang violence, and inadequate law enforcement resources are also key contributors to crime.

Safer Communities: A Multi-Facted Strategy

Dr. Mahabir advocates for a comprehensive approach to improving safety in T&T. He suggests that this approach should involve individuals, communities, and businesses. This includes community engagement through initiatives such as the Citizen Security Programme, enhancing physical security through surveillance systems, and implementing youth programmes to deter criminal activities.

Additionally, Mahabir recommends using solar energy to support crime solutions such as electrifying rural areas and public places that are not well-lit.

To tackle crime effectively, he proposed reinforcing community policing through investments in trust-building initiatives and resident engagement, directing efforts towards combating gangs and drug trafficking, harnessing technology and intelligence to enhance crime detection and prevention and implementing judicial reforms to improve case management and ensure prompt justice delivery.

Safeguarding T&T: The Road Ahead

Discussing the future of crime and security in T&T, Mahabir commented that forecasting is difficult, as several factors shape the outcome: socioeconomic development, law enforcement reforms, community engagement, and drug trafficking control.

Mahabir underscored that several emerging concerns and trends demand attention. These include the expansion of cybersecurity risks amid increasing digital connectivity, the imperative to address environmental security amidst climate change impacts and natural disasters, the necessity of combating transnational crime through regional cooperation to tackle drug trafficking and human smuggling, and the importance of preventing youth radicalisation while promoting positive youth engagement.

Mahabir emphasised the potential for adopting effective strategies from diverse contexts and customising them to fit T&T’s unique circumstances. These strategies encompass humanitarian intervention, promoting economic development and digital governance, empowering communities in high-risk areas, and addressing the underlying causes of insecurity.

Bavina Sookdeo