The seemingly unrelenting crime epidemic reflected in the 500-plus homicide toll for the year to date, violent robberies and other disturbing untoward incidents which continue unabated call for “urgent and critical intervention from the Government led by the Prime Minister” and the Minister of National Security to bring it under control, the T&T Chamber says.
And the TTMA is describing the crime situation as one that is in dire need of attention, “as has been the case for some time.”
Crime is also forcing businesses to shell out large sums to make costly investments in modern security systems and even to pay for extra security guards.
President of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Charles Pashley told the Business Guardian perpetrators prey on all, from the perceived easy targets such as women with handbags and briefcases in vehicles, to armed home invasions and a variety of armed attacks on various businesses.
“These attacks stifle the average citizens and negatively impact their freedom to go about their daily activities in attempting to earn a living, or conduct simple activities such as going to work, going to the grocery or participating in nightly entertainment. Crime impacts all the citizens of the country,” he said.
This, therefore, he added, has negative repercussions on business activity, thereby reducing foreign and local investments in expansions.
TTMA president Tricia Coosal who shared similar concerns said, “An environment that has a steady increase in crime is always going to be reflective in a cost to the country, either in the form of additional spending for security measures, loss of valuable resource (labour) to migration and loss of lives among many other losses. The manufacturing sector like all others sectors in the country are facing these challenges and are trying to cope with the scourge of crime.”
And to safeguard not only operations but now more importantly life, fortifying one’s premises is a necessity, added President of the Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CCIC) Richie Sookhai.
Sookhai said the cost of CCTV cameras for instance, initially priced at around $5,000 to $6,000, has now doubled.
“And as new technology comes out businesses need to update equipment every two to three years depending on the type of system. So, it’s a constant cost businesses have to incur. Crime is eroding the bottom line,” Sookhai added.
And while there may be some financial reprieve with the tax break of CCTV cameras Sookhai said businesses remain cognizant of the global factors like shortages and increased shipping costs which ultimately affects prices.
Businesses also have to bear rising cost for the hiring of security guards.
An unarmed guard detailed for a 12 hour shift tallies between $450 to $600 while an armed guard racks up around $650 to $1000 for the same number of hours
Sookhai added that some businesses have already doubled their number of guards with the Christmas season and the Carnival period closely upon us.
“It’s not just a situation where there are pickpocketers at downtown Chaguanas. There are certainly hot spots in Chaguanas, but the criminal elements are spreading to other parts of Chaguanas and when it comes to serious criminal activity these are becoming more frequent,” according to the Chaguanas Chamber President who added criminals are well-organised; often scoping out premises several times before striking.
Sookhai however, said Chaguanas remains resilient noting there are new players entering the market.
This was echoed by Daran Bahadoorsingh, Managing Director of Caribbean Housing Ltd, developer of Brentwood.
He said while security is costly this has not deterred tenants.
“On the residential side every body wants gated communities because the crime issue is all over the country so all of our developments are gated.
“On the commercial side security has to be at a premium at all times but it has not hampered tenants wanting to come in,”Bahadoorsingh said.
Noting the cost of security is “an incredible expense,” he said unfortunately, every one has to bear this.
“We as a developer obviously, it would cost us a lot more now because we have to rig the whole place with all these cameras and pay for security and no business will absorb that all on its own.
“This has to be reflected in rent and tenants have to pay those rent and it’s reflected in prices and the consumer has to pay those prices. So, it affects every body and it’s a pity we have to deal with this. Imagine if we could cut out or minimise those security expenses from our monthly budget how it could trickle that down to rent to tenants and this would be reflected in their prices,” Bahadoorsingh added.
Downtown Owners and Merchants Association (DOMA) president Gregory Aboud however, said the security costs have been “more of less the same over the past several years because there are only “so many security guards and so many cameras that can be dedicated to premises.”
As Aboud see it the greater cost remains the fear of crime itself.
“The greater cost is the fear and the anxiety the dangerous environment has created where people are scared to move around and scared to leave their homes after hours. This has produced a dampening effect on business activity that is affecting not only businesses in towns and cities but also hospitality businesses, movie houses and other types of night time activity,” Aboud said.
He maintained a greater degree of concern should be paid to trying to restore people’s sense of confidence about leaving their homes after hours since this fear is one of the greater cost at this time.
And the TTMA said, like other entities, it also continues to work with the respective agencies to try to combat crime, outlining it is working in areas of illicit trade, gender-based violence and partnering with Crime Stoppers, the Police Service and other authorities.
However, it added the country must work collectively to swiftly address the problem of crime.
“If we delay further, we are likely to face a greater problem, where, from a business perspective, the cost and risk to operate would likely outweigh gains that can be had from engaging business operations in the country.
“We need to keep in mind that businesses are owned and operated by citizens of this country that face crime issues that affect our society, outside of the business realm,” the organisation said.
“In downtown we have had a very proactive relationship with the police, we have engaged the police, particularly central police station and the city police, and we have been constantly working with them regarding patrols schedules and strategies for the city At this time we could say that while there is a degree of concern we have had the restoration of some confidence with our active engagement with the police for downtown Port of Spain. The report seem to indicate that 2022 is so far on par with 2021 and we are hoping we will be able to build on this and improve business activity in the city as we head towards Christmas.” Aboud ended.