The concern in the business community in Trinidad and Tobago over a protracted crime spree that is believed to be, in some instances a manifestation of a ‘gang wars’ but which is as well targeting the business community has, not for the first time in recent months, prompted the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago to express its concern over what it says is the increasingly negative impact of the country’s crime surge and the ability of its members to pursue their business activities untroubled by concerns over robberies and worse, attacks that inflict injuries and claim lives.
Persistent reports out of Port-of-Spain over several months have been sending messages of what appears to be a mix of gang wars and routine criminal activity over what AMCHAM TT says is the increasingly negative impact of crime on business and the seeming failure of the police to rein in the bloodshed, much of which, as well, reflect the targeting of the business community. Days ago the Trinidad Guardian issue repeated its worry about the crime situation which it says, apart from its impact on trading, is also taking lives. The extent of the worry is reflected in the fact that AMCHAM TT’s sentiments on crime are prominently reflected in its important package of budget recommendations submitted to the Ministry of Finance days ago. AMCHAM TT is reportedly asking the Trinidad and Tobago Government to have its Police Service Commission “set publicly available targets for the Commissioner of Police”, seemingly an indication that it is recommending that the Force assume a more proactive posture in the area of both detection and prevention as well as raising its game in its response to active crimes.