Arima North Secondary School
Centre number:
An investigation into crime in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago as well as ways of reducing
it.
Candidates:
AALIYAH LEWIS
GERLISSA HEADLEY
JAHKADA EDWARDS
JORDANNA PAMPHILLE
SAPPHIRE MITCHELL
TAMIKA HOLDER
Territory: Trinidad and Tobago
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...page 2
Literature Review………………………………………………………………………..page 4
Data Collection Sources…………………………………………………………………page 7
Presentation of Findings…………………………………………………………………...page
Analysis of Findings……………………………………………………………………….page
Discussion of Findings…………………………………………………………………….page
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………page
Limitation………………………………………………………………………………….page
Recommendation………………………………………………………………………..…page
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………..page 8
Appendix………………………………………………………………………………...page 9
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INTRODUCTION
PROBLEM STATEMENT
An investigation into crime in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago as well as ways of reducing it.
PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
The rate of crime in Trinidad and Tobago has increased rapidly over the recent years. This
research paper aims to highlight the issue of crime in Trinidad and Tobago, specifically in
Arima. With successful completion of this research, ways to reduce and control crime will be
obtained.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
To examine crime in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago as well as ways of reducing it by
distributing questionnaires to people residing in Arima with the intention of obtaining the
views of the residents to minimize the effects of crime in the community
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VALUE OF THE RESEARCH
This research informs and highlights to the residents of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago of
reasons why crime takes place as well as ways it can be decreased in the community.
Adolescents will find this research informative and it may also be a factor in turning them
away from a life of crime. This will also assist police officers working in the Arima district,
since the information can be used to find ways in which crime can be eradicated in the
community. Furthermore, it’ll give citizens of Trinidad and Tobago solutions to decrease
crime in their communities.
DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL TERMS:
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LITERATURE REVIEW
From the article in “Dialogues America”, done by Nathalie Gouillou/ Dialogo based
on a research done in 2022, she expressed that the authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have
warned legislators that the island is likely to see a rise in violent crimes, as gangs splinter and
bounce back from the pandemic. Mrs. Gouillou claims that the main causes for the rise in
crime, shootings/ murders in particular, are attributed to gang violence. The article also said
that crime is increasing in Trinidad and Tobago rapidly and the following factors will help in
highlighting this. Firstly, it appears that gangs are splintering and, in the process, becoming
more vicious. That is, as one gang member is killed a murder and a crime rampage occur by
that said gang . Secondly, the gangs are profiting from activities beyond extortion and drug
sales, according to the article. Given their power in many poorer neighborhoods, gang bosses
are presenting themselves as community leaders and lure financially unstable homes in crime,
as mentioned in the purpose of research, crime is a result of poverty. The research by Mrs.
Gouillou gives arguments to prove some Gang Violence factors. Hence, this study will
highlight, some causes of crime and what’s being done to reduce this gang violence.
Based on the article by Raphael John-Lall entitled,"No one spared, citizens in fear as
crime is out of control" it can be noted that the crime rate in Trinidad and Tobago has
significantly increased in recent years. From the research it was found that the government of
Trinidad and Tobago has invested millions into the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
(TTPS) but the crime has gotten worse. Majority of these crimes are caused by gang violence
and illegal firearms. In an attempt to reduce the crime in this country the police can reduce
the illegal firearms that come into this country, form groups with activities, trades and skills
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to educate as well as entertain youths to prevent them from resulting in crime. Also
implement neighbourhood watch and create a TTPS mobile app where our modern society
can easily interact with the police.
Based on the research by Gerard Hutchinson (2012) called “Living in the Shadow of
Fear”, crime is said to be the most pressing social problem in the Caribbean. He claims that
crime fighting cannot address only the occurrence of crime but the fear of crime as well. The
research also says that arguments have been made to prove that some factors contributing to
crime and public health are the same and if one of these are improved, the other will be
improved. It was stated that there is also a correlation between worklessness and both the fear
of crime and the occurrence of crime. Therefore, if the fear of crime was to decrease,
witnesses would not be afraid to speak out and more crimes can be solved.
Over the years, Trinidad and Tobago have struggled to put halt on rising homicide
rates. As of recently, Trinidad and Tobago have recorded over 500 murders for the year 2022.
With a crime rate of 71.63 making us the 6th country that has the highest crime rate in the
entire world. Trinidad and Tobago government faces several challenges in its effects to
reduce crime, such as bureaucratic resistance to change, negative influence of gangs, drugs,
overburden legal systems and much more. According to (Statita, n.d.) , in the previous years,
that is 2014-2021. Our homicide rates have gradually increase, hence there was an
improvement in 2020. With the number of murders in 2014 being 403, 2015- 420, 2016- 462,
2017- 495, 2018- 517, 2019- 536, 2020- 393, and 2021- 448 ; these were the number of
murders that were registered in the country. All in all, we see the pattern and no progress is
being made.
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Arima is number one and we don’t want to stay that way” according to police
commissioner Mc Donald on July 5th 2022 . He then continued by saying the crime rate from
2019 to now have increased tremendously in the Arima district. With the crime rate being
increased in the Arima district it has caused victims to feel fearful , fearful for their lives
when they are just casually walking the streets, depressed because they might not be allowed
to walk outside when they feel like and even experience unemployment. Persons living
within that specific area might have fewer employment opportunities and become in poverty
because of the background of the area and what it is known for. On July 6th commissioner
Jacob said Trinidad and Tobago defense force, Transit police and additional police
motorcyclists will be assigned to the Arima district along with five new police vehicles to
assist with crimes and to ensure the safety of the citizens in that area.
In May 2022, Douwe Den Held conducted research into reasoning behind ‘ Why
Trinidad and Tobago’s Gangs are becoming more Violent ‘. During the pandemic in 2020
into early 2021, there was a decrease in serious crimes but this eventually took a turn for the
worst when a gang leader was killed. A record of 448 homicides were made for 2021 when in
comparison with 2020, is quite an increase from 399. Some gang leaders now make
themselves heroes by aiding in the development of less- fortunate communities and its
residents, becoming ‘community leaders’. Recently, gangs’ access to fire arms age been
increasing even after its seizure and corruption would be the main cause of this as staff at the
ports have a role to play in the smuggling and the police officers aid in its release back onto
the streets.
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DATA COLLECTION SOURCES
For this Internal Assessment, a combination of primary and secondary sources were
used in order to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data to complete this SBA. The
primary source included a questionnaire, whereas, the secondary sources were online articles
which allowed us to collect the relevant information thus giving us a better understanding on
the topic of Crime In Arima.
The questionnaire which is a research instrument consisting of a list of questions, was
carried out online by means of a google form to be shared on various social media. It allowed
us to easily distribute the questionnaire to obtain information without having to get in contact
with persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Simple random sampling was the method used
in the distribution of the questionnaires which was targeted towards the residents of Arima.
The articles obtained were proved to be reliable sources of secondary information. It
was ensured that all data was acquired from reputable institutions and organisations which
would verify that the author is of a high professional standard. For example, The Trinidad &
Tobago Guardian, which is a renowned organisation source for news, was utilised as it
provided insight on crime.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Den Held, D. (2022, May 31). Why Are Trinidad and Tobago’s Gangs Becoming
More Violent? Insight Crime
[Link]
violent/
Haynes, K. (2022, July 5). Arima tops country for most serious crimes, Jacob ramps
up patrols. Trinidad & Tobago Guardian. [Link]
country-for-most-serious-crimes-jacob-ramps-up-patrols-6.2.1515384.b6dafe3217
Hutchinson, G. (2012, January). Living in the Shadow of Fear. UWI [Link].
[Link]
Raphael, J. (2022, October 29). No one spared, citizens in fear as crime out of control.
[Link]
control-6.2.1563818.7631b880c8
Romero, T. (2022, August 1). Number of murders in Trinidad & Tobago 2021.
Statista. Retrieved January 21, 2023, from
[Link]
tobago/
Gouillou Diaglogo, N. (2022, June). Trinidad and Tobago: Prioritizing the Fight
Again
Gang- Related Crimes. Dialogo Americas. [Link]
tobago-prioritizing-the-fight-against-gang-related-crimes/#.Y2xASWQpA0E
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APPENDIX
Dear respondent,
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As Sixth form students of Arima North Secondary School, we (Jordanna Pamphille, Gerlissa
Headley, Jahkada Edwards, Tamika Holder, Sapphire Mitchell and Aaliyah Lewis) are
conducting research on crime in Trinidad and Tobago, specifically in Arima. In an effort to
access reliable data we are kindly asking you to fill out this short and anonymous
questionnaire. We sincerely appreciate your assistance and will gladly provide you with your
responses at your request.
* Required
What is your gender? *
● Male
● Female
● Other
Age Range? *
● 15-20yrs
● 20-25yrs
● 30-35yrs
1)Is crime a serious issue in Arima? *
● Yes
● No
2)a)Have you ever been a victim of crime? *
● Yes
● No
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b)If yes,explain how you have been a victim of crime.
3)If yes to question 2(a), how many times have you been affected by crime? *
4)Do you have any family members who have been a victim of crime?
● Yes
● No
5)a)Have you taken any precautions since the incident? *
● Yes
● No
b)If ‘yes’ what precautions have you taken? *
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6)Can someone's community influence them to lead a life of crime? *
● Yes
● No
● Maybe
7) Do you think a person’s gender can cause them to more likely be a victim of crime? *
● Yes
● No
● Maybe
8)Do you feel safe in your community? *
● Yes
● No
● Sometimes
9)What do you think is the main cause of crime in the community of Arima? *
● Poverty
● Family issues
● Drugs
● Society
● Peer Pressure
● Gang Violence
● Other
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If other,please specify.
10)What can be an effect that crime has on the community? *
● Residents fear going outside
● More money being used to secure property
● Fewer employment opportunities because of the area someone lives in
● Other
If other,please specify
11)a)Do you think the police/government are doing a good job at reduce the crime rate? *
● Yes
● No
b)Have you been affected mentally by the rate of crime in the community? *
● Yes
● No
12)What do you think are some ways that crime can be prevented/solved? *
● More police presence in the community
● Entertain youths to prevent them from resulting in crime
● Neighborhood watch
● A TTPS mobile app
● Other
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If other, please specify.
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