Three areas regarding the state of Crime in Trinidad and Tobago and how they can be solved.

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.