Sources of crime

I take this statement to mean that there is a propensity to violence throughout our society — in all ethnicities, regions, classes and ages of the population. If, indeed, this observation is true, it begs the questions as to whether this is a historically inherent propensity of the majority or whether this allegedly national characteristic is of recent vintage.

I do, however, recall a statement by Prime Minister Rowley a few months ago when he remarked that only a small minority in the society was engaged in violence and criminal behaviour. The question therefore arises as to whether the whole society is prone to violent tendencies or just a minority in it.

There is, however, the clear inference that if the society is violent in nature, then the Government may be powerless or severely constrained in any attempt to curb or minimise such pervasive violence and criminality which may be deemed to require profound and fundamental societal change.

Unsuccessful attempts by the administration to curb crime and violence then becomes understandable and excusable.

With respect to the sources of criminal activity, I identified 11 years ago in my column of 22/01/06, four areas where attention should be focused — gangs, the drug trade, domestic violence and the vehicular involvement in crime. I remarked as follows: “A few months ago, the Minister of National Security announced that there are 66 criminal gangs in the country. Presumably this information would have come from the police who it is assumed would know the locations where the gangs are based, their key personnel and their modus operandi.

The question therefore arises as to what sustained action has the police taken to restrict the activities of these gangs and to prosecute the members for violations of the law.

“From all appearances it seems that the police have resigned themselves to the undisturbed existence of these criminal groupings and have no proactive agenda. Whether this inertia is self-imposed or dictated by the political directorate is a matter of speculation.

“I believe that gang-related violence has reached such proportions that a specialised unit should be established especially to focus on the containment of this scourge which has given TT the unenviable reputation of another arena of the Wild, Wild West.

“With respect to efforts to reduce drug-related murders and other drug-related crimes, one presumes that this is the responsibility of the Organised Crime and Narcotics Unit. Periodically, we learn of a drug bust and the arrest of some lower-level functionaries but there is little evidence that the unit has been able to make a significant impact on the reduction of organised crime or the drug trade.

It seems clear that the functioning of this unit needs to be reviewed and its mandate and performance targets amply clarified.

“For dealing with murders that constitute crimes of passion or are the results of domestic disputes, the area for preventive action may seem limited. Nevertheless, with timely police response to complaints of serious threats and domestic abuse and with more effective community policing, problem relationships may be identified and processes instituted for conciliation, dispute resolution and anger management.

Such an approach to crime reduction is of course part of the larger social responsibility.” No less an authority that the loquacious Attorney General, Faris Al-Rawi, has pronounced, “Most crimes are committed with the use of a car. It is not often that you see someone with a getaway donkey.” To be continued