It's only a matter of time before terrorist attacks take place in T&T similar to what we are seeing in other parts of the world. The question is: where will it hit? There are a number of factors that lead us to this logical conclusion.
Firstly, T&T is a copycat society: this means we copy both bad and good things.
Second, we have returning fundamentalists and other trained criminals who may be bent on conducting such attacks here.
Third, the warring between gangs will lead to one trying to outdo the other. Not only will they target one another, they may target places where ordinary citizens frequent to make a point of their strength and boast to others.
Fourth, we have local criminal-minded people who are getting bolder each day.
My own belief is that they will target areas where they have no relatives and friends. So, if we go on the assumption that more than likely these "terrorists" belong to depressed and even lower middle-class communities, they will either target directly those areas where their enemies are, as well as the upper middle and rich areas.
I really don't think they may target markets as we know it, but well-to-do malls, airports, commercial or financial areas, and possibly upscale state buildings, however, not where there are many clerks.
Areas where people of certain sectors socialise, like avenues, etc, can be possible targets. Further, they may target large industries–like oil, gas, manufacturing and even tourist destinations. This is what has been occurring throughout the world.
We have to start thinking like terrorists to be able to understand them. We can't use old-school logic. Both time and crime have changed! We have to think like white-collar criminals to understand their next move. We have to think like youth deviants to take "in front" as they say.
Those who are parents will know that at times they have to think as a child to know what to do to prevent x, y and z. So too, as professionals, we have to adopt this model otherwise we will fall victim to crime. No one wants what is taking place in Europe, for example, to come home. Let's hope the local authorities have their intelligence and plans.
Nathan Sammy
Via email