We should acknowledge the role previous governments have played in the development of crime.While our earliest democratic governments sought to undo years of oppression from European monarchies, those acts created a section of society that would come to rely upon government charity.As our economy grew, so, too, did the demand to share wealth among citizens: governments emptied coffers and drove up national debt to deliver products and services in the most haphazard way.
Billions of dollars were spent with no thought for economic diversification, innovation, entrepreneurship or job creation (outside of the construction industry).Fast-forward to when the 2008 global economic crisis started to affect us: we saw escalating crime, with 550 murders being committed, the first time in our country's history the murder figure had crossed 400.
When one thinks that transnational organised crime generates US$400 billion dollars annually in the global drug trade, and that T&T is now recognised as a logistical transhipment hub for North America, which alone accounts for at least 15 per cent of the worldwide gross, only then does the gravity of the local crime situation set in.Because while under previous administrations people were able to live comfortably on the good graces of government charity, that situation is currently changing.
So, given no other options for generating legal income, these people are almost being forced into criminal activity, because as a nation we have failed them.How can we find immediate solutions to a problem that is so deep-seated? How can simply arresting people curb criminal activity, when neither rehabilitation nor alternative options are being provided to them as they are released back into society?
We have failed to present our working class with genuine options for generating wealth to provide comfortable lives for themselves and their families.
As a nation we have failed to respect those who may have been living under the poverty line and failed to provide them with viable solutions for enriching their lives and their homes. As a nation we have failed to deliver on our motto that every creed and race will have an equal place in our society.
The best way to eliminate crime is to first develop programmes that will create legal opportunities for self-development and self-enrichment for all. This includes education, job creation, stabilisation of the cost of living, community and family development.
These things, combined with stringent law enforcement, will not only provide a safer nation, but will also create a more tolerant, disciplined and productive country.That is what I believe our current government and the security forces are trying to accomplish and as such I wish them best of luck and co-operation in their effort.
Ravi Maharaj
via e-mail