Technology helps against crime

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young is confident that proper use of technology can turn the tide in the fight against crime in TT. He expressed his confidence at the opening of the American Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Health Safety Security and Environment conference and exhibition at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain yesterday.

Young told his audience that technology “is not being fully utilised in TT on our national security landscape and a lot of other areas.” He said in the vast majority of occasions, criminals have the element of surprise. “Technology will assist with that,” Young said. Since being appointed national security minister three months ago, Young said he has been exploring ways in which the ministry can better utilise technology.

He identified security contingency planning related to the restructuring of Petrotrin and the wider energy sector as an example. Saying the Petrotrin situation had the potential for wider fallout, Young said thankfully most of that planning has not been necessary. Young said when he asked for a mapping of the energy to determine vulnerable points in terms of security “it was not readily available.”

Referring to statements which Finance Minister Colm Imbert made in his 2018/2019 budget presentation in the House of Representatives about body cameras for police officers and global positioning satellite tracking for police vehicles, Young said all citizens have a role to play in building national security infrastructure. He explained there are ways people can provide information confidentially to law enforcement about crime. Young said people would be surprised about how good information can be translated into intelligence and then acted upon.

Disclosing the ministry is currently evaluating the upgrade of its closed circuit television camera (CCTV) system, Young said the private sector could help by allowing the national operations fusion centre as much access as they are comfortable with to their CCTV systems.

“We intend in national security to utilise as much technology as we can afford and to get the best value for money,” Young said. He regretted this has not been so for a long time. Referring to recent challenges being faced by the Prison Service, Young said this is another area where a greater use of technology will be applied.