Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Submitted by Taran on Sat, 08/21/2004 - 23:11
Update: January 24th, 2006: If you are directed here by anything Michelle Malkin wrote, please read this.
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The time has come, I think, for me to talk a bit about the present crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. In an odd way, I'm an outsider looking in yet an insider looking out. Perhaps this perspective will be useful; since I have returned I have felt remorse in unpacking myself and truly returning - those of you who have ever returned to a place where you grew up will understand. The rest of you won't.
First of all, there is presently a crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. And I'm not talking about the cold black and white crime that litters reports, the facts and figures that sit there to impress or depress the would-be reader. If you want that, you can read these reports on Crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Of course, those interested in tourism have their own say for tourists - Things you need to know about - Crime. It sagely advises dialing 999, yet the response time for that could be a few hours, if the police have a vehicle.
Here it states:
...Though Trinidad has a reputation in the region for violent crime, much of this is exaggerated and crime rarely affects tourists...
Yet the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce has this to say:
...We take no pleasure in warning the former Minister of National Security, now of Tourism, Howard Chin Lee, that with the increasing rate of crime in Tobago and now the attempted murder of Canadian professor and karateka, Robert McDonald, there is the likelihood of more negative travel advisories by foreign governments advising their citizens against travelling here. We trust that the Minister of Foreign Affairs will not simply go hurrying and scurrying to foreign capitals to manage damage and loss control, but that the Prime Minister and Cabinet will collectively, at lest, ensure that the law enforcement authorities in Tobago stop playing hide and seek with reported crime statistics and the level of fear in Tobagonians, while those in Trinidad, quickly bring to justice those who attacked Mr. McDonald...
I believe that it was Mr. McDonald who died, but it may have been another tourist. I do not know, I cannot recall - because the daily news is more of a depressant than the most popular drugs in Trinidad and Tobago. I don't read the daily news here. Instead, I listen to the radio, and catch television sometimes. Most of the time I hear the highlights through people around me. But if you really want to see what's going on, I'd suggest creeping through the archives of these two major newspapers:
But those are sort of generalities when it comes to crime. The children being kidnapped, the murders, what have you. Last year one of my Uncles was kidnapped; he still fears for his life - now there's bulletproof glass at his establishment, and he doesn't stay in the same spot long - and doesn't go to the same spots in the same ways. I know of 7 people - personally - who have encountered violent crime within the last year. I've twice encountered people who wanted what I had *almost* as much as I did. And when that happens, you begin to see a bit beyond the 2 dimensional crime that appears in the newspaper and the 4 dimensional crime that occurs everyday.
And the recent announcement of the FBI setting up office in Trinidad and Tobago because of high level al Quaeda members does tend to make one look back at this article by Scott Wheeler and rub one's chin. Last I checked, the FBI jurisdiction was the United States proper. Shouldn't it be a CIA office, or is this a new Homeland Security initiative?
And these are the reported crimes. What about those unreported? Consider this quote from the Trinidad Guardian (July 2nd, 2004 - written by Yvonne Web):
Acting Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul vowed yesterday to leave no stone unturned in investigating allegations that two police constables assigned to San
Fernando Police Station had robbed a man of marijuana. Paul said the matter would be investigated properly and firm action taken, if it was proven the officers had done wrong. He also promised transparency, in that the public would know all about the probe. However,
Paul is yet to receive a report on the matter, as senior Supt Dawson Victor is still compiling it.
According to reports, on June 15, two constables who were on duty at the station, on Harris Promenade, requested some time off from the senior officer on duty. One of the constables said he wanted to take his girlfriend home. The two men reportedly left the
station and went to a nearby bar, where they robbed a man of a quantity of marijuana, which was in a bag, and $2,400 in cash. The policemen returned later to their posts. Some time afterwards, the alleged victim came to the charge room to report the incident. He
later identified the two officers on duty as the men who had robbed him, and pointed that out to a senior officer on duty. A search was immediately conducted and the bag containing the marijuana was discovered in one of the constable�s lockers. In his alibi, the constable said he had picked up the bag in an earlier raid and forgot to hand it over.
According to reports, a similar incident occurred about a year ago, when an expatriate employed with Tucker went to the San Fernando CID to report he had been robbed while sitting in the car park at Gulf City. However, when he got to the station, he discovered the men who had robbed him were the ones there to take his report.
Seems to me that some people might be afraid to report a crime.
But I think Jacqueline Morris makes the points best here in her blog. That there have been pushes by the present government to give the government power over the police. Let's clarify: Pushes by the present elected government to have power over the police; politicians in control of police. This falls somewhere between idiocy and bad.
I was sitting down with my cousin, his wife and his father and we were talking about this situation this evening. My cousin told us that a lady called in to a talk programme on the radio, and that she had been driving her husband and son around when someone in another vehicle allegedly pointed a gun at her. In a panic, she drove to the nearest police station - and her husband and son were subsequently [allegedly] beaten. The other vehicle supposedly was driven by police officers, and the reasoning she stated was that 'a car of the same license number had been involved in a shooting'. So two allegedly innocent men (how often do you hear that?) got beaten, and are in nursing homes for their troubles. The advice received on the radio? 'Get a good lawyer'.
Lawyers don't make crime go away.
My cousin also made the point that a State of Emergency is probably being avoided because the Honourable Prime Minister has already had to call one in his last term in this position - and two would be political suicide. Oh my. Poor Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
There *is* a problem. I don't have any nice solutions, but it's apparent that a solution to this problem cannot be expected from the present officials - despite pay raises for policemen on one hand and lacklustre equipment on the other. And the new police recruits are told to be examples, and yet their senior officers are held in question.
There is a crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, and nobody is truly safe. You don't see people wandering around after dark as much. Burglar proofing abounds, houses are locked - passerby watched suspiciously. After all, most of the kidnappings have happened at the front gates of the victims.
This country is not safe. And while it's easy to blame the government in it's lack of regard (which it undoubtedly has shown), there is the citizenry as well. In a country where everyone knows who is sleeping with everyone, nobody seems to be able to say who is responsible for the crime. Perhaps they fear for their lives, perhaps they fear to report. Anonymous reports offer rewards (and how does one collect an anonymous reward?). Yet it continues.
Maybe everyone should be given a gun. As it is, only the criminals and the police have guns - and the line between the two is blurred at times. It's unfair for the honest policemen to say that, perhaps, but it is apparent in public opinion.
Force is not a solution :(
Force is not a solution :(
Re: Robert McDonald attempted murder
Robert was my uncle and this was not an attempted murder, he was murdered. They never did catch the guys who did it, there are areas in t & t which are safe and areas which should definitely be avoided.
Tinidad
Is this information still accurate? My daughter may be going there?
Dave
Maybe.
Kidnappings seem down, and the police have cracked down in some areas prior to Carnival.
A good guideline would be to check local newspapers, such as the Trinidad Express and look over the last few weeks. That way you can decide yourself.
Crime in Trinidad
I go to Trinidad regularly. Avoid anywhere after dark but especially Port of Spain and its environs. Elsewhere you will most likely be met with indifference. I think that fear of crime is a greater problem rather than crime itself, but don't expect many smiles. Oh yes, and don't watch the news which tots up the murder rate on a daily basis! It's not that bad.
Re: Crime in Trinidad
Hmmmm since 2001 we've had a an increase from 60-300 plus a year and counting , nah things aren't that bad just peachy , can i borrow the sand box that most citizens seem to stick there heads in cause i must be missing something good down there .
Re: Crime in Trinidad
With all due respect what blind folds are you wearing??? Crime is as bad as it is reported even worse. I know because I am a medical doctor working in Accident and emergency. Many of the victims of horrid crimes that come to the department are not even mentioned in the press. They try to cover it up. You need to get your facts straight and stop writing nonsense on the internet.
Criminal activity in
Criminal activity in Trinidad and Tobago has been and still is a controversial topic on the two islands. However, it is as old as Trinidad and Tobago itself.
My mini-view
Trinidad is being run by the same weak old politics and politicians of yesterday, these people are so out of touch with the concept of a just modern society, they are totally consumed by glitter. If the government cannot create a safe society for its citizens, they are useless and should be removed.
Trinidadians must prepare themselves for some tough decisions, enacting legislation that addresses some of these are key. Get rid of these old tired parties, get some new blood into leadership positions—tough educated people who are not interested in turning a profit but do it for the love of T&T.
What are the officials doing
What are the officials doing to curb it anything?
absolutely right
you're right - i'm just back from two years in t and t as a uni professor - the people are great, but the place is in serious trouble - a violent crime rate 4 times that of western societies, a road fatality rate that is similar, terrible health care infrastructure and transport networks, currupt police, paralysed bureaucracies, exhausted natural resources, and a people in denial (they still talk about it being god's country). also absolutely right to say the constituents are more into appearance, glitter and distraction (ie carnival, xmas, religion etc) than any real acceptance of the need for change
to live there safely one must adopt a seige mentality and seriously curb your behaviour
i wish it weren't so, but i see no sign of it ending really
san juan trinidad
hey im goin 2 san juan an ill b right across from the san juan market place, is this place safe? is san juan itself safe?
A tourist's view
I am an Australian just back from a holiday which included T&T. It is very obvious that there are very few tourists now going to Trinidad. During my stay there were shootings in Maraval where I was staying and in Savannah Park just down the road. I personally witnessed cars being robbed in POS in broad daylight. My friend works for a company and they lose 10s laptops a month from theft out of cars. The Police Commissioner had his own house robbed despite on site security. Yes, the newspapers are full of reports of random shootings, kidnappings etc. Despite recognising a stunning country with many beautiful people there is no way I would recommend any friends or family to visit T&T. The fact is that virtually no cruise ships visit and virtually none of the recent World Cup Cricket was played in T&T. I ended up leaving early because I got bored of sitting inside watching TV most of the time at my friend's house behind high walls and security systems. Indeed I left the island early and went to Barbados to finish my holiday, which was a revelation after feeling so exposed (I am white and blonde haired)and unsafe in T&T. Both the people and government of T&T have to wake up to the fact that the gas money will be gone in a mater of years and alternatives need to be developed - tourism will be off the list until the crime situation is dealt with. Sadly I will not be returning , even to visit my friends. I will tell them to meet me in Barbados!
"The fact is that virtually
"The fact is that virtually no cruise ships visit and virtually none of the recent World Cup Cricket was played in T&T"
The World Cup Cricket in Trinidad has nothing to do with crime because there are a lot of test series matches in trinidad with teams like sri lanka, england etc...
Re: A tourist's view
I'm so sorry you had this bad experience here in Trini. U are absolutely right about all your concerns. Crime is so out of control here and I think its only going to get worst. All hail PNM for their contribution to the tourism industry!!!
CRIME
I do agree.What do you suggest we do?
Re: CRIME
Change the mentality of the people , u can change a government but that makes no difference if the mentality of the people that have caused this situation is the same , accept the fact that this our fault and that no one else can change it other than ourselves . A government is simply a reflection of the people who voted for it and if that simple fact cannot be accepted then nothing will ever change . Good luck to all of u out there in the wild west you have a long battle ahead of you .
Re: CRIME
I'm wondering if changing the mentality of people would also change the government. But then, government is only as good as it's options... and we've had the same options for quite some time.
Re: CRIME
Well even the politicians in the government are people , then again i may be wrong , so it follows that a change of mentality would apply to them also .
Re: CRIME
You are right about the government being a reflection of the people who voted for them. Those oh so wise citizens who refuse change and betterment for all... Those same fools who faithfully support and will forever continue to support a government whose only purpose is to fill their pockets with taxpayers hard earned money and dont give a damn about the citizens who suffer in poverty. These financial advisors who are supposedly experts are spending like if they just won the lotto..FREE money to build stadiums and school for the arts(oh and don't forget to pocket some for the miscellaneous expenses.. blink,blink...). Citizens suffer for basic necessities in the food and health care sectors why is this so? Is'nt this suppose to be an oil boom period? Oh well my bad.. guess I was mistaken..
Re: CRIME
You are right about the government being a reflection of the people who voted for them. Those oh so wise citizens who refuse change and betterment for all... Those same fools who faithfully support and will forever continue to support a government whose only purpose is to fill their pockets with taxpayers hard earned money and dont give a damn about the citizens who suffer in poverty. These financial advisors who are supposedly experts are spending like if they just won the lotto..FREE money to build stadiums and school for the arts(oh and don't forget to pocket some for the miscellaneous expenses.. blink,blink...). Citizens suffer for basic necessities in the food and health care sectors why is this so? Is'nt this suppose to be an oil boom period? Oh well my bad.. guess I was mistaken..
Crime exagerrated
I was born in Trinidad and have lived in Trinidad for 34 of my 37 years of life, and have been a victim of crime once...my house was broken into when I was 8.
If anyone carefully looks at the reports on crime, they will see that murders are mainly gang-related or stem from domestic disputes or other personal disputes. Outside of that, robberies by themselves and robberies which lead to murder are usually random.
Rarely do we hear reports of average people being shot or robbed, or of tourists being shot or robbed, and rarely do we hear of white, blonde-haired people being affected by crime (by the way Trinidad has lots of native white, blonde-haired people!).
I am sorry that Andrew Lake had to sit inside during his visit to Trinidad based on an exagerrated fear of crime (fuelled by his friend's high wall and security systems), but Andrew your information is incorrect. You say "The fact is that virtually no cruise ships visit and virtually none of the recent World Cup Cricket was played in T&T." Well 9 international cruise ship lines ensure Trinidad is one of their ports of call each year (http://trinidad-guide.info/getting.there/cruises/). Perhaps when you visited the cruise ship season was only just getting started, nothing at all to do with reports of crime. And your claim that Trinidad held few Cricket World Cup matches is true, only 10 of the possible 67 matches were played here
(http://www.icc-cricket-worldcup.com/match-schedule/), but that decision had nothing to do with crime. When the bidding for matches was done way back in 2004, this was the response of Prime Minister Patrick Manning: "...Trinidad and Tobago bidding for the games can cripple the unity efforts made among CARICOM states. Manning felt that Trinidad being a main competitor had already secured bids from other Caribbean states for the ACS Headquarters, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Headquarters and recently the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Headquarters." (http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2004/07/16/venues.htm).
The World bank in a 2007 report also noted the growing crime rate in the Caribbean as a whole: "“While levels of crime and associated circumstances vary by country, the strongest explanation for the relatively high rates of crime and violence in the region — and their apparent rise in recent years — is narcotics trafficking,” said the report, jointly prepared by the World Bank and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime." (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03484867.htm).
So crime in general is also affecting your now favourite destination, Barbados.
I do agree with you though Mr Lake that the government of Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean governments need to seriously deal with the issue of crime, not just because it's affecting tourism or the economy, but also for the well being of its citizens.
Re: Crime exagerrated
If anyone carefully looks at the reports on crime, they will see that murders are mainly gang-related or stem from domestic disputes or other personal disputes.
---Not true --- just read the online express for last few weeks and see crime and assault on random citizens
Re: Crime exagerrated
Agreeing with tico, here, and also pointing out that what is reported in the newspapers is only what is reported...
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
This is really sad to article. Crime rates are increasing each year due to poverty. This is happening around the world. If a country's population rises or increased, then poverty will be a problem, then when there's poverty there is crime. I have never been to Trinidad and Tobago, because of what I have read from your article and some posts here from people who has been there, I will definitely have a second thought.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
I am a teenager living in Trinidad and Tobago and when looking at the current state that my country is in I am very scared. Not only because statistically 1 person is being murdered every 15 hours or because of the high inflation rate but because of the total indifference that the people of Trinidad show towards these problems. It seems that no one seems to care that the price of bread is still $11.50 a bag even though the price of flour has gone down, that the price of once cheap produce is sky high.Children of all ages are being murdered, molested, abused and exploited and NO ONE is making a stand to protect them.Murders and road fatalities are occurring by the dozens and it seems that citizens are blind to these facts.
Ironically though the people most affected by the murders are the young. Youths 15,16, 17 and even younger are being shot and killed and the adults just don't seem to care. NO ONE thinks that it is necessary to enroll these young people in some kind of course that gives meaning to their lives. NO ONE cares. The main problem i think in Trinidad and Tobago is the fact that the people have become numb to the crisis we are going through. No one wants to stand up for their rights. Everyone is walking around with their heads in the sky as though everything is all hunky dory "once it doesn't affect me directly i'm fine".Everyone has the solution the instructions for "fixing" T&T but no one can make a stand. How long will it be before we make a change? The future looks bleak for my generation and the one to follow. It really is sad day when people can just turn a blind eye to
Returning Home
Well i have been reading these posts and it makes my country of birth seem so dangerous.....i am trini but my husband is American (white and all) we have 1 son and another on the way we lived in trinidad for 3 years in sangre grande i worked in central my husband worked in town and we were fine.....no one ever once tried to mug him or even try to break into our home most of the time it was mostly stares when we walked down the street (white man and black woman thing) but we were happy there.....we moved back to the states janurary of this year but we both are missing trinidad so much that we are plannin on returning soon and with this economy crisis that is goin on makes me miss home even more....correct me if i am wrong but isn't it all about the gang warfare and all that is making the country seem so terrible and not people just goin around shooting people?....are'nt some people here really exaggerating it just a lil bit?.....cause i know of lots of foreigners living in trinidad goin about their business, goin out with friends and all and having a grand time...so come on i know that persons are trying to be truthful and all but i really dont think that its such an unsafe country and besides isn't everywhere u go these days just as bad?
Re: Returning Home
Everyone has an opinion, but the newspapers are as close to the truth as we have.
And statistically speaking, 'Lots of foreigners' is a demographic I am unfamiliar with. ;-)
Re: Returning Home
I am living in Trinidad and I can tell you that it is that bad. It's not only about gang warfare- it's about innocent people being murdered, children being kidnapped, the police being unable to trace calls made on cellphones by kidnappers, the police ignoring citizens when they report a crime. In Trinidad if you report a crime, you better be careful because someone would probably show up at your door to "take you out" (and I don't mean on a date). Yesterday, the whole country was very tense because there were reports on the television and radio stations that 72-75 children were found in a shipping container that was about to be sent to another country. So now we apparently have human trafficking to deal with. Of course the authorities are calling this incident "rumours", but eyewitnesses are telling another story. By the way, this is only the tip of the iceberg. My advice to you is if you want to come to Trinidad make sure you bring along a casket or a lot of ransom money. Sorry for being so blunt, but we have to face reality. THIS IS NOT THE TRINIDAD YOU KNEW.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
I would like very much to live in Tobago once I retire,
Reading all this has changed my mind.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
In fact crime is not only prevalent in these places but all over the world.This is where security systems come in.This will help in crime prevention.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Having a home security system is fine but it is only a deterrent and if the criminal in question is determined to perpetrate a crime , the security system is of little help to you especially when the police response time ranges from 3hrs if your lucky to we have no transport sorry for you .
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
This is my opinion. The government has everything to do with the crime in the country. If there were strict laws and a system of checks and balances in the law system things will be different. If the death penalty was reinstated people would think twice of committing a nasty crime. I mean the laws are there but what the country lacks are the technology and strategies of enforcing these laws. What good are laws when they are not being enforced? It is like having a brain and not using it. It is in fact that simple, we use our brains and we make decisions and do things for ourselves. If the government uses and enforces the laws that are in place it will work. Stop spending on buildings and the new Red House, blimps, etc. All a wastage of money. Manning and his administration continue to put up all these nice buildings in Port of Spain but who is going to want to live there or work there or conduct business in a place that is so barbaric? So the buildings will stay there but the people won't. Trinidad will always be Trinidad, that is the sad thing. These buildings will look nice only for a couple of years after that it will be dilapidated and no one will fix it. Take for example the airport. It looked nice when it was first built now in the terminals there is cob web every wear and water stains on the roof. Does it really have to stay that way?
This "don't care" attitude that plagues Trinidad will have a very nasty effect which we see playing out right now. There are so much to talk about and you can go from topic to topic but it will all show how the very attitude and little things in Trinidad which are left untouched directly and indirectly affect bigger problems such as the crime situation.
As I was saying about attitudes. Many of you who have lived or visited can attest to this. Ever go to order food or buy something somewhere and this is what you are greeted with. "Yea, wuh yuh want?" If they don't have something they say "we doh have none ah dat nah," and the list goes on. There is no customer service at all. And the sad thing is Trinidadians are so conditioned and feel that that is the way it is that they don't know any better. But for those of us who has lived or visited a country like USA, UK, Italy, etc. we know what customer service is. Is to be greeted with,"Hi good ___, How may i help you." Who are the supervisors or owners of these businesses? Did they not know that in a business it is all about the customer? Who is checking to make sure it is all about the customer and they are being treated with respect? No system of checks and balances.
When anyone can purchase cigarettes and alcohol without proper identification nothing but cigarettes and liquor addicts will be the result. I am sure there is a motive behind this. The gov't make so much money taxing these addictive things so they have no reason to get strict. It will be a loss of money for them. Who is making sure that underage people are not being allowed to purchase it? No system of checks and balances
When there is a road problem it takes years to get repaired and when they repair it is a half as* job that they do anyway. These CEPEP workers they will start working on a street in the morning and you see them sitting talking and when you are driving home in the evening they have only moved to a about quarter of a mile of work. Are there no supervisors? Does that supervisor not have a desired result at end of day? Who is checking to make sure the work is getting done. No systmems of checks and balances.
Rogue cops! All I have to say is no system of checks and balances!
On closing down the sugar cane industry and putting up houses on them, that is a joke! They closed down the cane to order sugar from Guyana? Who makes these smart decisions? They are putting up "affordable" houses, in other words ghettos, on land that is unstable and the houses are falling apart. Who makes these decisions? Who tested the land? Who is supervising these projects? No system of checks and balances.
When there is no system of checks and balances the people will never be able to move forward. I understand that the people can make a change but you cannot blame them. If the gov't and the country changes its current ways of doing things the people will be forced to change. It is that simple.
I think besides the government doing something the only other way is for the people to get involved. Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Kuther King, and other great revolutioners didn't just sit back and decide that it will fix itself. They made a stand and fought (non violent) for it.
The young people of Trinidad and Tobago needs to stand up for a change. Until this government, which is being played like a game of "dolly house," gets serious or is ousted, people will continue to suffer and live in fear in a third world nation. (Just my opinion)
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Well said.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Wow, I've just read all of the prior post and have to admitt I'm a little blown away. I knew, as does everyone, crime is somewhat a problem in Trinidad, but honestly, where isn't it? My girlfrind is from Trinidad and I am from Canada ( yes, the black and white thing, which we get everywhere we go ),and we were in Trinidad early 2008. The main thing I will say is, " I LOVE IT THERE!!!!" I want to go back as often as we can possibly afford it, but she worries for me when were there. The two weeks we were there, only once did I have any sort of incident, and the poor bugger was pretty drunk so really, he wasn't himself. Anyway, I'm white and I didn't stay inside at all, and even wandered around after dark and felt pretty comfortable about doing it. I think you just need to employ some common sence. Don't wear flashly jewerly or clothes, don't be shootin off your mouth, trying to stand out or hit on someones woman and chances are, you'll have as much fun as I did there.
Love all!!!
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
I carried a neighbour to report a domestic matter to a policestation on 2 occasions.Being there, you realize that those guys are really out gunned with respect to the amount of persons coming in and the capability of those there to take on so much reports, consult etc. then if they are so busy then how can they get out to deal with patrolling and investigation.SImple, crime rose over the last few years, regardless of government intervention, the criminals have their own agenda, but the rate at which the manpower in the protective services increased to keep up with the criminals was too slow. It is alleged that Texas saw an increase in crime after the criminals left new orleans, the lawmen made a case for the more forces to keep things where they were, so said so done.We can not eliminate crime but there is no reason why we can not get it back down to where it was couple of years back. Regardless of how many different ideas and statistics there are, more and more and more police, cars and stations can not possible be a bad thing.I dont see why the old fashioned recipies cant possibly work, chcken soup for the crimial flu.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Indeed, this is one of the main problems we are dealing with lately and I think that the authorities should take some more serious measures to make this whole criminality decrease. They should really think about some special projects and commercials to prevent people from such things.
I think that crime there is a
I think that crime there is a greater problem. I think they do not have sufficient resources to hire enough law enforcement agents.
Payday Loans Canada
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
I live in the relatively neighboring island of St. Lucia. In my country the crime rate seems to be increasing but compared to trinidad we almost look good. Sometimes one may find a group of persons just sitting around marveling at the crime rate in trinidad. The country is really getting famous for the wrong reasons. Something obviously needs to be done. I wish Trinidadians luck,prayers and hope.
It's a damn shame
Well the summit is over. Its back to normal T&T again.. No more patching, paving , painting etc. to beautify for Obama's grand appearance...I mean the summit..(No offence to Obama, we do love him!). I guess the extra security and military presence on the Island has subsided as well. I have to admit it been a while since i've felt so secure; wish the feeling was permanent though..O well at least we got a little out of the millions spent for the summit.. By the way does anyone know what ever happened to those vagrants they relocated from Port Of Spain?? I hope no human trafficking was involved..oops.. I forgot it does'nt exist in T&T..
Cancel
i'm romanian and just got hired to work in one of the hospitals there in t&t as oncologist. next week would have been my flight but i stumbled upon this blog and changed my mind. i have to call off my contract, good thing i haven't signed it yet....
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
I am a 32 year old teacher born in Trinidad (land of corruption, crime, racism, etc.) and i would like to comment on this very intresting topic of crime in Trinidad and Tobago. First of all the crime situation is as bad as it seems, crime has or is affecting my quality of life in this country. I cannot tell you the last time my wife and I have been out at night. For all of those people who choose to bury their heads in the sand and be ignorant about the fact go ahead but when you are the victim of crime your mind might change. Let me shed some light on the situation for all of you people who might want to visit this country, you are taking a great risk. The government (pnm) of this country will not stop crime because they are part of the problem. Crime starts from the highest level and let me tell you what is going on.
- In 2006 one of the largest drug bust was conducted with over 10 million dollars in cocaine found, the coke was found in a house owned by the Bryden Company, this company has links to government ministers so nothing ever came out of this drug bust but let the police seize 10 dollars worth of coke in any average poor joe's house he will face the brunt of the law.
- In the 2007 general elections held in this country the ruling PNM government won the elections by intinidating ordinary citizens using a terrorist group called The Jaamat al Muslimeen. The members of this group (links to Al Quida) used tuggery and violence to keep voters away from voting. This said group's leader is right now admitting to the Privy Council in England that he made a deal with Patrick Manning to help him win the election and favours will be granted to him.
I can go on and on but the bottom line is I as an educated, law abiding citizen of this country I am pleading with you potential visitors go somewhere else or you could end up as a murder statistic. I am currently trying to get my family out of this wild west country as i have applied for citizenship in Canada and elsewhere.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Dero,
You are not applying for citzenship in Canada,you are applying to emigrate here.If your application is accepted,you will be granted the status of a Permanent Resident.You can apply for Canadian citizenship 3yrs from the date you become a Permanent Resident.
Now I don't mean to appear confrontational but were things in T & T that much better under the UNC? I readily admit that it has been 17yrs since I've been to Trinidad,so my knowledge of the Island is quite outdated.The Trinidad that I remember was full of music,wonderful smells (food,sea,flowers) and the kindest,most generous people I have ever met.I am saddened to read the crime statistics that are now associated with Trinidad & Tobago ~ heartbroken actually.
I wish you and your family well.If you end up in Canada,you can always come to Toronto and enjoy Caribana with the rest of us :)
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Thanks for the information. I was planning on perusing my bachelors degree this September in Trinidad UWI; but, after hearing the truth about the crime issue I am canceling my enrollment. I don't think I could focus on school while worrying about being kidnapped or murdered. Everyone I know kept telling me how dangerous it is over there but I thought they were over exaggerating, until now.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Trinidad and Tobago is a developing nation in the Caribbean composed of two islands. The islands gained independence from the British in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, largely as a result of petroleum and natural gas industries. Tourist travel is mostly to the smaller of the two sister islands, Tobago. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the Department of State Background Notice on Trinidad and Tobago for additional information.
Incidents of violent crime have been steadily on the rise on both islands. Visitors to Trinidad and Tobago should exercise caution and good judgment as in any large urban area. Particular caution should be exercised when traveling after dark from Trinidad's Piarco Airport as incidents have been reported involving armed robbers trailing arriving passengers from the airport and accosting them in remote areas of the airport parking lot, on the highway leading from the airport to downtown Port of Spain, and outside the gates of residences. Areas of metro Port of Spain to avoid include Laventille, Morvant, Sea Lots, South Belmont, scenic rest stops (after dark), walking across the Queen’s Park Savannah, and downtown Port of Spain (after dark), as tourists are particularly vulnerable to pick pocketing and armed assaults in these locations. Holiday periods, especially Christmas and Carnival, often see an increase in criminal activity.
Violent crimes, including assault, kidnapping for ransom, sexual assault and murder, have involved foreign residents and tourists, including U.S. citizens. The perpetrators of many these crimes have not been arrested.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
Who is John Galt ?
John Galt.
It fits.
Re: Crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
hi all.
I live in Belfast Northern Ireland which is a city well-known for its sectarian violence and murders over the years but I must say I have never been as worried for my safety as I had when I stayed in Trinidad last september. We went to secluded part of blanchisseuse beach with a few friends and my son. We returned to the car as dusk and relised the damn thing wouldn't start. Thats when panic set in. The guys we were with seemed very uneasy (we were all white, which they seemed bothered about). A car full of people drove down to the beach and started walking to and from our car without saying anything. It was almost complete darkness and all we could do was wait for somebody to arrive to take us back to Diego Martin. Some guy walked right past the car and off into the rainforest behind us. I've walked through many notorious rough areas in Belfast and have had some scarey experiences but this was by far the worst. It didn't help that I had been reading the papers the past 2 weeks and murders/kidnappings were being reported on a daily basis. My heart was pounding. I've even walked through the bronx in New York City and felt 100 times safer. Luckily a few of our cars turned up on time and nothing bad came of the experience (apart from near heart failure).
All the people I met told me I mustn't walk the streets. The only place I could really walk alone was in the malls. 90% of the houses had grills on the windows or barbed wire fences and walls. I couldn't do much apart from watch tv. It was a real shame as the place was beautiful and the locals were nice. A true tropical paradise. Any time we got to do something, it had to be with a local who we knew. We went to blanchisseuse, maracas, san fernando, club zen and visited the malls, cinemas etc but the rest of the time was spent indoors or behind high walls.
The country has serious problems which all stem from those idiots in charge. The UNC and the PNM seem more interesed in playing the race card off one-another. The country seems currupt at every level. There is poor infrastructure and high inequality. The Islands' geographical location probably doesn't help the drug problem either.
Apart from the problems, I did enjoy my stay but I think I will try Barbados next time. I would love to return to T&T but not if the problems persist.
ps - The food was unreal. Shark & Bake, Buss up Shot, Roti, Chana etc etc (I even made my own buss up shot when I got home)
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