Gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are more than just a shadowy underworld. Their influence seeps into the everyday lives of our youth, dictating where they can go, what they wear, and even the music they listen to. As the murder toll rises each year, fear grows that anyone could become the next victim.

This in-depth series from Newsday explores the deep roots of gang culture, the allure it holds over our youth and the terrifying grip it has both behind bars and on the streets. We uncover what schools, authorities, psychologists, and religious leaders are doing to combat this crisis – and what more can be done to protect our nation’s future.

Read on – and discover what lies beneath the surface of TT's escalating gang crisis.