CRIME IN TRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO
Group Members:
Tyrique Lambert
Maya Hazel
Antonio Phillips
Eldon Murray
Rani Deonarine-Ramoutar
Christa Lowe
Imojin Ameerah Mayers
 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

 Families In Action

 Our host presenters, Sasha Rauseo and Angelina Maharaj

 Scotiabank

 All the guest presenters

 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS
Group Members:
 Tyrique Lambert – Group Leader, Skit, Script & Conclusion
 Christa Lowe – Introduction, Skit
 Eldon Murray – Causes of Crime, Skit
 Imojin Ameerah Mayers – Effects of Crime
 Rani Deonarine-Ramoutar – Solutions for Crime
 Maya Hazel – PowerPoint, Artwork, Skit
 Antonio Phillips – Skit
 INTRODUCTION
 Crime can be defined as an action or omission which
constitutes an offence and is punishable by law.
 Trinidad and Tobago has the sixth highest crime rate in the
world.
 Those more at risk tend to be in low-income families,
marginalized communities and people with substance abuse
issues.
 Crime has created fear, anxiety, intimidation and anger within
our society and its citizens.
 The efforts of the entire society are critical in the fight
against crime.
COUNTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST CRIME RATES

* Rate calculated per 100,000 people

 CAUSES OF CRIME
POVERTY  Trinidad and Tobago has a high
rate of economic deprivation,
causing our crime rates to be
much higher than other
countries.
 Being unable to obtain financial
security can cause people to
resort to illegal means to sustain
themselves and their families.
 This also affects the middle and
upper class by them living in fear
of being robbed by the less
fortunate.
 CAUSES OF CRIME
UNEMPLOYMENT  The lack of employment
opportunities, particularly for
youths, can be linked to the
rising crime rates within the
nation.
 The inability to secure a job
despite investing in education
leads to resentment towards the
system, and can cause youth to
resort to crime early in life.
 Obstacles preventing those
previously incarcerated from
securing employment make
them more likely to re-offend.
 CAUSES OF CRIME
DRUGS  A person under the influence may
suffer from impaired judgment
and indulge in criminal activities
they would not do otherwise.
 Those addicted to drugs can go
to any extent to procure them, no
matter the legality of their
choices.
 While under the influence, people
are more likely to act carelessly
and do things that have the
potential to ruin or even end
their lives.
 CAUSES OF CRIME
PEER PRESSURE  Peer pressure plays a
significant role in the lives of
teenagers and young adults,
both positively and negatively.
 The lack of wisdom and
experience compels young
people to try to fit in with their
friends, and can lead to vices
like alcohol and smoking.
 This can then extend to other
illegal activities like drugs,
gangs and crime that have the
potential to ruin their lives.
 CAUSES OF CRIME
LACK OF YOUTH SUPPORT  Lower income families can be
affected by poor parental
supervision which leads to
youths looking up to bad
influences, and involvement in
illegal activity.
 Low quality education can limit
the amount of opportunities
young people are provided with,
causing higher unemployment
and crime rates.
 Lack of availability of
*Graph refers to percentage of counselling and mental health
the labour force ages 15-24 services negatively affect youth
who are unemployed.
development, and result in
behavioural problems.
 EFFECTS OF CRIME
1. SOURCED FROM NEWS ARTICLES:
 Trinidad Newsday - Trinidad and Tobago currently has the
sixth highest crime rate in the world, according to the World
Population Review.
 Trinidad Express - Prime Minister declares crime a “public
health issue”
 Trinidad Guardian - Crime has negatively affected businesses
in Trinidad and Tobago, including break-ins, burglary and
damaging their properties. This may lead to the collapse of
small businesses.
 Loop News - Negative Effects of Crime on the Psyche of
Citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, specifically PTSD.
 EFFECTS OF CRIME
 The United Kingdom’s government gave warnings and advice to
tourists on the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago.
 It warned visitors to:
 Not walk alone in deserted areas, and to not travel beyond major
populated areas at night.
 Not walk around with large amounts of cash or eye-catching jewellery.
 Take care when withdrawing money from ATMs.
 Store all valuables, money and passports in hotels
 Take care while driving at night and don’t stray into areas affected by
gang violence.
 Exercise caution when travelling in informal taxis and maxis taxis.
 These definitely paint Trinidad and Tobago in a negative light,
and this may deter foreigners from wanting to visit the country.
 EFFECTS OF CRIME

2. NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF CRIME:

 Tourism Industry
 Decrease in Government Resources

 Mental Health of Citizens

 Mental Health of Victims

 Businesses
 Drop in GDP

 Loss of Workforce
 Increased Hospital Capacity Needed
 EFFECTS OF CRIME

3. POSITIVE EFFECTS OF CRIME:

 Job opportunities as capacity increases
 Enhancement of intelligence gathering, SOP’s

 Increased community networking

 Improvement of archaic laws

 Improvement of family networking

 Introduction into school curriculum
 SOLUTIONS FOR CRIME
 Implemented the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)
 Increasing police presence and patrols in several districts.
 Regular stop and search practices from the TTPS.
 Putting services in place for at-risk youth and previously
incarcerated persons that provide education, employment and
counselling to prevent both first-time and reoccurring criminal
offenses.
 CONCLUSION
 The crime rate in Trinidad and Tobago needs to be decreased.
 The country is in a constant state of depression and hardship.
 The youth are constantly being spoiled by their troublesome
to follow in their mischievous actions.
 Almost every week at least 2-3 crimes are committed in
Trinidad and those are just the ones we know of.
 Although our government is fighting hard against crime, there
is still much left undone.
 As a community and more so as a country we should strive to
better ourselves.