Moves to make Tobago safe once again

THE EDITOR: Crime in Tobago has been occupying the news in recent days and although the understanding is that the island cannot be fully insulated from the criminal activities that originate in Trinidad and elsewhere, there are some simple things I suggest that we can do to mitigate the situation.

Increased security at points of entry

By sea and by air, there are a limited number of points of entry into Tobago. Checkpoints need to be established at each of these aforesaid "points." And this would ideally consist of metal detectors, as well as spot checks of both luggage and vehicles before they leave the respective arrival assembly areas.

The authorities in Trinidad should also make available a spot list of its "most wanted" individuals so that officers at these checkpoints can identify and detain them should they present themselves in Tobago.

The objective here is not so much to arrest or detain without cause, but rather to take note of these individuals when they enter the jurisdiction, and surveill and investigate when crimes take place.

Security personnel on the seabridge

Uniformed and plainclothes officers should be present on all sailings of the passenger and cargo ferries. They should be on patrol, observing passengers, investigating packages and examining vehicles for contraband.

Make intersections a sub-station

A minimum of two marked police vehicles should be stationed at every major intersection in Tobago, and should be parked in contradiction to one another (ie facing opposite directions). This allows them to observe and pursue criminal suspects, as well as to set up roadblocks at a moment's notice.

Community policing

Police patrols – by vehicle and on foot – should be conducted regularly across the 15 electoral districts on the island. Officers must take the opportunity to get to know residents more intimately and be at the ready to step in should there be a report of a crime or a physical altercation that requires intervention.

See/say something

Set up a network (telephone, e-mail, drop boxes, etc) to capture reports of suspected wrongdoing in real time. And incentivise Tobagonians to become anonymous informants. In time, an app can be developed that would: provide a portal for reporting criminal activities; provide updates to the public at large about items affecting their safety and security; and act as a personal alarm system that once initiated will alert the police that the individual is in distress and in need of police assistance.

Looking forward to some, if not all of these initiatives coming into being in the near future.

GEORGE ELIAS

Cascade