– Women’s rising role in T&T’s gangs…
(Trinidad Express) Think about gang culture in Trinidad and Tobago and the first that comes to mind is young men who may be “patrolling” a block, armed with guns, and conducting various criminal activities, including robberies and shootings.
One may overlook a woman standing on the corner awaiting transportation, a group of young girls sitting near a park seemingly enjoying their afternoon, or even a woman advising a group of people on the street.
But in recent years there has been a shift in gang culture, with more and more women joining gangs, taking on roles from lookouts to advisers, accomplices, and even senior ranks in various criminal syndicates.
Last year, 54 women were killed out of 576 confirmed homicides.
Of this number, police say 13 lost their lives through their connections with gangs, with several others being killed via affiliations with people known to operate in gangs.
According to police data, 13 other women were killed from domestic violence incidents, eight were classed as revenge murders, five involved altercations, four were drug-related, three were associated with robberies, seven were unknown, and one undisclosed.
There were 14 women murdered between the ages of 31 and 40; ten between 41 and 50; and nine between 21 and 30 years old. Murderers took the lives of five teenagers, a six-year-old girl, and five women over 60. Police were still investigating these last month.
For 2024, women have already lost their lives to gang violence. The latest incident involved the murder of Victoria Guerra, alias “Dolly Boss”, in Argyle, Tobago.
Guerra was fatally shot around 3 p.m. on August 5—Tobago’s 19th murder for the year. Police had reliable information that she was an alleged gang member affiliated with the Seven gang. The Sunday Express was told she was hiding out in the countryside in Tobago with other alleged gang members.
Police said Guerra was standing on the street leading to the Argyle Waterfall, when a car pulled up and a group of men exited and fired several shots at her and a man with her.
Both Guerra and the man were taken to the Roxborough Hospital.
Guerra, who was under police guard at the hospital, died, while the man was grazed by a bullet.
The gunmen also shot an alleged gang member in Pembroke.
Police said the shooting of “Dolly Boss” may be a reprisal for the shooting of Ezra Sylvester, 41, on August 3. Sylvester died while undergoing treatment the following day. He was an alleged member of the Sixx gang.
Criminologists and senior officers in the Police Service say they believe there has been an increase in women operating in gangs.
Regional security expert Garvin Heerah told the Sunday Express he was currently researching the issue and, from the data provided, some women were even assuming leadership positions in gangs.
“Recent developments and research have revealed a significant and alarming trend within the criminal landscape of Trinidad and Tobago: the increasing involvement of women in gang-related activities. Contrary to the long-held belief that women played only peripheral roles in such organisations, evidence now shows that women are not only active participants but are also assuming leadership positions within gangs,” Heerah said.
He noted some women in T&T have been identified as key figures in gang operations. They have taken on roles traditionally dominated by men, such as controlling drug blocks and overseeing the illegal narcotics trade. These women are not merely supporting players, but are directing significant aspects of gang activities.
Their involvement extends to operational leadership.
He also raised an alarm about young girls and the allure of gang culture in the country. “An increasing number of young girls are being drawn into the world of gangsterism. Lured by the perceived glamour and power associated with gang life, these girls are being recruited at an alarming rate.
“They are not just members; they are being groomed to take on active and sometimes violent roles within these criminal networks, including positions as drivers and shooters. This trend indicates a disturbing shift in the dynamics of gang recruitment and involvement,” Heerah said.
He also noted the influx of Venezuelan migrants into the country over the last few years, and argued this could have further complicated the criminal landscape in T&T.
“Research has shown that a significant percentage of women within the migrant population are involved in gang activities. These women are bringing with them organised crime tactics from their homeland, further entrenching gang operations in Trinidad and Tobago. Their integration into local gangs and the formation of new criminal alliances pose a serious threat to national security,” Heerah said.
As such, he said the growing involvement of women in gangs ought to necessitate a re-evaluation of current law enforcement strategies.
Traditional approaches that focus predominantly on male gang members may no longer be sufficient. Law enforcement agencies must recognise the evolving role of women in these organisations and adapt their methods accordingly, Heerah said.
He recommended the national security apparatus focus on intelligence operations to monitor and track the activities of female gang members and leaders; development of specialised training programmes for officers to understand and combat the unique challenges posed by female involvement in gangs; create and promote initiatives aimed at preventing young girls from being lured into gang life: through education, mentorship and support programmes; as well as strengthen cooperation with international law enforcement agencies to address the transnational aspects of Venezuelan gang influence.
“The rising participation of women in gang activities in Trinidad and Tobago is a critical issue that requires immediate and focused attention. Law enforcement must adapt to these changes, recognising the complex and evolving role of women in criminal networks. By doing so, they can more effectively address the root causes and mitigate the impact of gang-related crime on society.
“This advisory serves as a call to action for law enforcement and community leaders alike to take proactive measures in addressing this growing threat. Failure to do so will only allow these criminal networks to strengthen, further endangering the safety and security of Trinidad and Tobago,” Heerah submitted.