[UPDATED] Economist: Tobago a soft target, review security systems

CRIME economist Anselm Richards believes the time has come to carry out a comprehensive audit of Tobago’s security system.

He was responding on Tuesday to the shooting death of dancehall artiste N’Kosi Bovell at the Dutch Fort Restaurant & Bar, Scarborough, on Sunday night.

Bovell, otherwise known as Fari Dan, was shot multiple times at close range while liming with friends at the establishment.

Richards also complained about the use of guns in the recent spate of robberies in Tobago.

In an interview with Newsday, Richards said the island’s security structures must be reviewed.

“The CCTVs are not working. The (army) camp in Signal Hill is in disrepair. The Coast Guard headquarters needs to be upgraded because of the sea blast.

“So, we need to really sit down and do a thorough audit of the security system in Tobago and the island. So, from that audit, we will know what are the gaps in terms of human resources, forensic capabilities, technological capabilities and other law enforcement infrastructure necessary to provide the kind of security blanket that will cover us from violent crimes.

“If the central government is not prepared to do it, I am certain that with support and advice, the chief secretary (Farley Augustine) will do what he can do in keeping with the legal framework within the law to ensure that Tobago is a safe and prosperous island.”

Richards reiterated his call for a vehicle X-ray system at the Scarborough port.

“In national security, we have been requesting for decades proper security infrastructure because there is a significant movement of goods and people between Trinidad and Tobago and the security coverage at the port is very loose.

“We need to have at the port a vehicle X-ray machine so that when a person comes with his vehicle and they drive through, that the law enforcement community and the port security can see exactly that there are no contraband and illegal weapons among the parts of those vehicles.”

He said these machines are being used in many countries around the world “and we have been asking for that for more than 25 years and we still without that."

He believes the trafficking of "illegal firearms through Scarborough" is significant.

Describing Tobago as a “very intimate, welcoming society,” Richards said the island as a soft target for criminal activity.

“We are not used to this spate of violent crime as we know in Trinidad. So, we are not really caged up in the way we conduct social and economic affairs. That, in itself, presents a challenge for us so we have to be a little more alert in that regard. But the law enforcement community needs to look at the law enforcement infrastructure and resources on the island and really close the gaps.”

Richards also called on Tobagonians to not only speak out against crime but provide evidence of wrongdoing, in their respective communities, to the police.

He said Tobago, which is slowly emerging out of the covid19 pandemic, cannot withstand the effects of murders, other violent crimes and robberies.

“We, in Tobago, given the nature of our tourist economy and our socio-economic construct, cannot withstand any serious upsurge where our streets become the scene of violent crime and murders, where our schools become the scene of violent crime, where our homes and business places are the scene of murders and robberies. That definitely will shake the soul of the society. And we have to put in a formidable response to this situation.”

Richards said while the police is doing what it can from a human, technological and forensic standpoint to fight crime, Tobagonians must provide a social response.

“We must send a signal as Tobagonians wherever we are, whatever activities we are involved in, whatever religious faith we support and worship. We have to say in one voice that we do not support crime and will take whatever action.

“Wherever we see criminal activity, we must provide the evidence. That will cast a social safety net around the island and will make it very difficult for criminals to survive and to even exist in our space because we are going to expose them by providing the information to the police and get them to face justice.”

He said while many Tobagonians may not want to provide evidence to the police, “They have to come to the place where they make a conscious effort to play that role in terms of their contribution to the safety of this island.

“The police cannot do this alone because crimes are happening in our communities, in our schools and broad daylight in our streets. Therefore, we must have the commitment to really support law enforcement and the criminal justice system.”

Richards added, “Tobagonians must also be prepared to go to the courts to provide the evidence. We know there is a whole issue with witness tampering and safe houses. But the government must provide safe houses for people so that they would feel comfortable to come forward and provide the kind of evidence to really put a stop to crime.”

On Monday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine condemned Bovell’s killing and urged the population to find strategies to take care of the young men within the society. He pointed to a link between crime and the manner in which children are raised.

Last week, Augustine said he was also concerned about the increase in robberies in Tobago. He met with members of the Tobago Security Council on Friday to discuss the island’s worsening crime situation.

This story was originally published with the title "Economist: Time to review Tobago's security system" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

CRIME economist Anselm Richards believes the time has come to carry out a comprehensive audit of Tobago’s security system.

He was responding on Tuesday to the shooting death of dancehall artiste N’Kosi Bovell at the Dutch Fort Restaurant & Bar, Scarborough, on Sunday night.

Bovell, otherwise known as Fari Dan, was shot multiple times at close range while liming with friends at the establishment.

Richards also complained about the use of guns in the recent spate of robberies in Tobago.

In an interview with Newsday, Richards said the island’s security structures must be reviewed.

“The CCTVs are not working. The (army) camp in Signal Hill is in disrepair. The Coast Guard headquarters need to be upgraded because of the sea blast.

“So, we need to really sit down and do a thorough audit of the security system in Tobago and the island. So, from that audit, we will know what are the gaps in terms of human resources, forensic capabilities, technological capabilities and other law enforcement infrastructure necessary to provide the kind of security blanket that will cover us from violent crimes.

“If the central government is not prepared to do it, I am certain that with support and advice, the chief secretary (Farley Augustine) will do what he can do in keeping with the legal framework within the law to ensure that Tobago is a safe and prosperous island.”

Richards reiterated his call for a X-ray inspection system for vehicles at the Scarborough Port.