Towards a Collaborative Approach to Crime

That being said, the T&T Chamber fully supported the efforts and has since commended both parties for taking a positive step in the interest of our country. The meeting certainly set the stage for taking an effective, multi-faceted approach to dealing with an issue that threatens to undermine the very fabric of our society.

Notwithstanding some 16 items for proposed legislation as outlined by the Attorney General, several other issues remain outstanding and have, no doubt, contributed to our current predicament. If the population is to garner any tangible benefits from the collaboration, not only must the relevant parties follow through as promised, but there should also be a clear understanding of crime in its global context, in a climate of unprecedented challenges.

We must take bold and decisive action against organised crime, if it is to be contained locally. “Going after the money” with a view to stemming the financial lifeblood of criminals is critical; but law enforcement needs to be adequately resourced to do so effectively.

How well-equipped are our respective financial crime fighting units? How quickly can we access teams of forensic auditors, investigators, expert financial witnesses or special prosecutors? It invariably raises the question of detection, as to date, far too many cases remain unsolved – among them some very high-profile ones.

Only recently, the ongoing challenges faced at the Forensic Sciences Centre were again highlighted by key personnel based there. One cannot underestimate the value of expert evidence-gathering and preservation towards the successful prosecution of offenders.

Adequate monitoring of our ports of entry remains a challenge for governments, past and present. Apart from increasing the use of technology, are we rigorously screening the individuals hired to execute those particularly sensitive duties and responsibilities? Today, our Customs and Excise Department continues to be treated as a revenue-collection agency rather than a critical arm of national security that could be leveraged in the fight against crime.

The T&T Chamber is all too aware that the ultimate goal to reduce crime is no easy undertaking and requires collaboration, co-operation and well thought out strategy. No sitting government can achieve success on its own, and it certainly cannot be left up to the police to shoulder the burden. As a country, we need to begin examining the causes of crime and criminal activity with the same intensity with which we tend to focus on the mere symptoms. But in challenging times such as these, the tone set by the Government and the Opposition through their recent efforts, leaves us with a sense of hope.