FBI joins TTPS in crime fight

PORT OF SPAIN

■ Anna Ramdass

anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.com

THE United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other foreign law enforcement are working with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in this country's crime fight.

US Embassy Charge d' Affaires Shante Moore disclosed this yesterday at a news conference at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, where a US$1.5 million Gang Reduction and Community Programme (GRACE) was launched, in collaboration with the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the United States Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

In response to questions, Moore said what affects T&T affects the US and, therefore, both countries have been working diligently to strengthen ties in the crime fight.

He pointed out the US Embassy worked with the T&T Government to bring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to this country because of the importance of weapon trafficking, not only in T&T but throughout the Caribbean region.

He said they also brought the Department of Homeland Security investigations agency to work with T&T in the areas of arms trafficking, trafficking in persons and other areas of mutual interest.

'In addition, we have our FBI legal attaché here in Trinidad and Tobago that's working closely with the police,' he said.

Moore said they are further hoping to soon open their USAID branch office, and more projects are on stream.

With respect to GRACE-a programme aimed at combating gang violence-Moore said it will be delivered over the next 18 months from May 2022 to November 2023.

Moore said criminal gangs in T&T are responsible for a disproportionate number of criminal offences, and gang activity is associated with high homicide rates, corruption, citizen insecurity and, increasingly, with transnational organised crime such as firearms smuggling and trafficking in persons. 'Sadly, recidivism rates for gang members are 22 per cent higher than recidivism rates for the general population, at nearly 70 per cent,' he noted, adding that this pervasive problem is not likely to end unless there is intervention.

He said stronger law enforcement is critical to that effort, and it's made more effective when we make real investments in improving our communities and in addressing the causes of crime before they spill over into violence.

GRACE and gangs

The GRACE programme, he said, will work to address the root causes of criminal gang activity within a community and seek to end it. 'Rather than focusing solely on addressing the symptoms of crime, like homicides and gang violence, we must do more to address the root causes. And this programme aspires to do both,' he said.

Moore said the lack of employment and educational opportunities, the need for protection and safety, and the desire for upward social mobility are all factors contributing to the proliferation of gangs.

He said the GRACE project will directly address this issue by supporting the TTPS' ability to conduct intelligence-led investigations of gang leaders while also improving community policing initiatives and supporting grassroots organisations in areas with the highest concentration of gang activity.

This programme is funded through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI).

Moore said through CBSI, INL assists 13 Caribbean countries, including T&T, to build their law enforcement and rule of law capacities.

He said INL programming has worked to increase the capacity of the TTPS and other agencies to identify, investigate, and prosecute organised criminal groups involved in money laundering, drug and firearm trafficking, and other serious crimes.

Moore said INL also aims to combat corruption and improve prosecutorial and judicial capacity, police accountability, and professionalism; and support institutional reform.