3 problems and solutions - crime - Trinidad and Tobago
Download as PPTX, PDF2 likes1,664 views
Three problems with crime in Trinidad and Tobago are discussed: 1) White collar crime is largely undetected or prosecuted, with over 1,700 reports since 2010 resulting in only 4 prosecutions. 2) 82% of murders are committed with firearms, with over 4,000 guns and ammunition removed from streets in recent years. 3) The murder detection rate is only 10% and was just 6.1% in 2014, one of the highest murder rates in the world, driven by gangs and drugs. Solutions proposed include prioritizing white collar prosecutions, reducing illegal gun imports, and improving technology, training, leadership and legislation to increase detection rates.
3 problems and solutions - crime - Trinidad and Tobago
- 1. 3 Problems and Solutions regarding Crime in Trinidad and Tobago Darryl Bodkin darrylbodkin@gmail.com
- 2. White collar crime is largely undetected or not prosecuted • Suspected activity reports totalling 1,710 have been sent to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) since 2010. However, only four people have been prosecuted, with 12 money-laundering charges being laid against them. (Former Minister of Finance, Larry Howai, December 3, 2014) • Editor’s note: Unfortunately, the FIU is not empowered to investigate. The information is sent to other agencies who apparently have insufficient information to prosecute. • Solution: Prosecute white collar crime as a matter of priority. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Warriors-captain-makes-plea-for-jobs-284700691.html
- 3. 82% of murders committed with a firearm • According to Ag. Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams the police had taken 477 guns off the street and 6,400 rounds of ammunition. In 2014, Williams said, they took a total of 585 illegal guns off the streets. (as at September 2015). He went on to explain that up to September 2015 82% of murders were by the gun. • Solution: Reduce the ability of criminals to import guns and ammunition by deliberate and coordinated action by law- enforcement. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-10-03/50-murders-make-september-most-violent
- 4. The detection rate requires a boost • The murder detection rate in 2015 is reported to be 10%. • The detection rate for murder was 6.1 percent for 2014. The murder rate for T&T is approximately 35.3 per 100,000 inhabitants according to the 2014 United Nations and World Health Organization Global Status Report on Violence Prevention, reflecting the tenth highest murder rate in the world. The murder rate continues to be driven primarily by gang- and drug-related activities... • Solution: Increase the detection rate through improved technology, training, leadership and legislation. http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2015-09-30/murder-detection-rate-unacceptable and https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=17795
- 5. Summary • Any success in arresting the challenge of crime would require the political will by the elected government to allow the agents of the state to act without encumbrance. • Additionally, action needs to be taken to improve the resources of the Office of the DPP and the Judiciary.