Caribbean Studies IA
Caribbean Studies IA
Caribbean Studies IA
Acknowledgements
The successful completion of this assignment could not have been possible without the
assistance and cooperation of a number of people. Consequently, I will like to thank everyone
who gave their substantial support and valuable time.
The members of my family have been a constant source of encouragement and assistance. I
thank my guardians for relieving me from household duties, since I was engaged in this
assessment.
Finally in completing this written assignment, I would like to acknowledge my teacher, Ms Ria
who assisted me where it was necessary to ensure that I had the underlying principals and hence,
the understanding to complete my assignment.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE
PAGE
Introduction...1
Literature Review......4
Introduction
Rationale: In Trinidad the crime rate has increased in the past ten years. This high crime rate has
observed that in most developing countries there is an elevated crime level. It has even
stimulated major concerns both locally and internationally. Crime carries with it a lot of adverse
effects such as the breakup of families, lost of relatives and lead to many financial issues which
is felt by multiple citizens whether they are elders or teenagers, and so government and law
enforcement agencies need to implement measures to eradicate this inferno, especially in the
major crime capital of Laventille, a hilly area bordering the east side of Port-Of-Spain, Trinidads
capital city. Thus far the authorities cannot seem to find such a solution.
Purpose and Educational Value: This topic in particular has captured my personal interest.
Firstly, I was directly impacted by criminal activities where a family member was arrested in my
presence for the possession of drug narcotics. Secondly, a teenage neighbour of mine was
murdered for gang related issues last year. The educational value of this study is that since it is a
common notion for people to view poverty or other forms of deprivation as the major cause of
crime, however, it is not. In addition I would be analyzing both the facts and opinions related to
that issue in search of the most realistic source of crime in the Caribbean. As a result, I have
decided to conduct a study on the effects of crime on Caribbean society. This study will be done
with
reference to the suburban region of Laventille which lie east to the capital Port Of Spain
Trinidad from a Trinidadians point of view since I am of the same nationality. I hope that the
information presented would contribute to my countrys understanding of the effects of crime
and that my recommendations would be used to help curb this social unrest.
1
Research Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Literature Review
According to the international case study entitled Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime in the
Americas: Major Trends in the Twenty- First Century by Bruce Baglely (2012) discusses the
causes of crime being illicit drug trafficking as a result of globalization in the demand and
supply of drugs. The types of crimes that a prevalent are as follows drug trafficking and murder.
This case study also states that crime has many effects such as rising death rates, drug use
leads to violence, lives are threaten, gang violence and homisisides. Lastly it states that
the solutions to these to have increased social services, expanded educational opportunities,
job opportunities and new public recreational spaces for youths.
In the Caricom Crime and Security Strategy (2013) by Professor Anthony Clayton it was noted
that the cause of criminal activities is as a result of include illicit drugs which leads many
negative effects such as getting arrested for illegal guns, gangs organized crime and financial
crime, . In addition criminality levels have the potential to cripple the already fragile social
economic development progress regionally. This article further states hat criminal activities also
lead to large economic disparities, poverty, the rising cost of living, social exclusion and
marginalization, unemployment and multiple government failures. Lastly gun violence leads to
70% of homicide regionally. The solution to crime is to enforce security capabilities and
security systems.The methodology used to conduct this document was document analysis while
the researcher of this IA used primary data by the use of Questionnaires.
In a case study of Trinidad and Tobago, entitled, GUNS AND CRIME, developed by the World
Banks Consultant, Holder Yvette, May 2006, indicated that, criminal activity in the Caribbean
have been observed to be originated from the various factors, such as; poverty, deprivation of
financial resources, lack of education, unemployment, corruption, the illegal drug trade and
being victims of crime. All of which are a pool of negative impacts waiting to generate an
enormous wave of destructive effects to communities such as woundings, arrests, small
possession of narcotics, dug trade, murder and poverty. the types of crime prevalent in
Laventille are illegal gun trade, killings and the possession of narcotics. The solutions to
crime include is to mark guns at points of manufacture for identification and tracking this will
curve homicides and many other criminal activities. However, this wave of effects is seen to be
drawing in the Caribbeans youngsters or teenagers into the life of crime. The study further
mentioned the major types of crime which is
In the document entitled No Time To Quit: Engaging Youth at Risk Executive Report of the
Committee on Young Males and Crime in Trinidad and Tobago (2013) especially focuses on the
community of Laventille. According to this document Laventille is considered a hotspot. In this
community a negative impact of crime is that young women are drawn into a life of crime by
their male counterparts whom out of fear of domestic or physical violence. Crime also retards
the development of people and a society which in turn labels a society dangerous seen both
locally and internationally. The solutions to crime is to establishment of student offenders who
are suspended from school. and In order to conduct this case study these researchers used data
already collected by institutions and interest groups on crime and criminality while the
researcher of this IA went personally and handed out questionnaires randomly to 50 residents in
Laventille.
The literature presented reviewed the concerns, causes and types of crimes with its negative
effects on teens in the Caribbean society of Trinidad, Laventille. It concludes that crime has
multiple negative effects on the Caribbeans younger generation and the regions people, be it
socially, psychologically, economically and physically. Nonetheless, there are much development
and enforceable ideas needed by Caribbean nations to decrease the occurrence of crime in their
communities.
A qualitative method of data collection was used to carry out this internal assessment. The aim of
this internal assessment was based on the negative impacts of crime on residents in the Laventille
area. The researcher had to utilize both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The
primary data source employed was a questionnaire whilst the secondary sources of data
collection included the local newspaper articles and internet based document analysis.
The questionnaire, a data collection instrument include a series of both open and close ended
questions designed to answer the objectives of the research. A total of fourteen questions were
asked in the questionnaire. A random method of convenient sampling was employed to as much
as 50 persons in the Laventille area, during October 15-20 th, 2014. The researcher made use of
these methods since as a CAPE student there is a constricted time limit to work with, so the
people chosen were amongst those whom were easily accessible with different ages.
A questionnaire was used to allow for the persons answering the questions to remain anonymous
and confidential so that they can be as truthful and as analytical as possible in interpreting simple
and straight forward questions and answers. Another reason a questionnaire was chosen by the
researcher was because it was convenient and easy to distribute whether in person or through the
use of the internet via emails which was less time consuming.
Secondary data was collected via document analysis. This was done by the review of newspaper
articles from both the local Newsday and Express, police record and briefings from the acting
police commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago. All these sources commented on the impacts crime
has on the Caribbeans people, using the direct example of Laventille, Trinidad, for the time
duration of approximately ten years (2004-2014). These sources contributed to the researchers
understanding of the problem via the use of comprehensible, relevant examples.
Presentation of Findings
Pryamid Graph Showing The Major Crimes To Which Victims Have Fallen To.
18
16
14
12
Number of Persons
10
8
6
4
2
0
Robbery
Murder
Rape
Types of Crimes
Fig.2 PYRAMID GRAPH SHOWING THE MAJOR CRIMES TO WHICH PEOPLE HAVE
BEEN VICTIMS TO CRIME IN THE LAVENTILE AREA.
Numer of Persons
25
20
15
10
5
0
Fig.3 CYLINDER GRAPH SHOWING PEOPLE WHO MOST LIKELY COMMIT CRIME IN
THE LAVENTILLE AREA.
Ages 9-12
Ages 13-19
Ages 20-30
Ages 30+
Fig.4 DOUGHNUT GRAPH SHOWING THE AGE BRACKET OF THE PEOPLE MOST
LIKELY TO BE INFLUENCED INTO CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE LAVENTILLE
AREA.
10
11
Loss of p
rop erty (2
0
property
(20
Person
s)
Persons)
H
igh Mortality
M ortality Rate
s (1
5
High
Rates
(15
Persons)
B
re ak u
p of Fam
ilies
Break
up
Families
(8 Persons)
Person
Fina s)
n
ci
nci
al
Issu
e
s
es
(7
(7
Per
son
son
s)
Fig.7AN INVERTED PRYAMID CHART SHOWING SOME NEGATIVE LONG TERM AND
SHORT TERM EFFECTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES ON THE RESIDENTS IN THE
LAVENTILLE AREA.
12
Strenghtening of Parent-Child
Relationships (25 Persons)
Academic and Trade Education
(20 Persons)
Job Availability (5 Persons)
Fig.8 A PROCESS CHART DISPLAYING IMPLEMENTED SUGGESTIONS FOR THE
RUDUCTION OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN THE LAVENTILLE COMMUNITY.
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Interpretation of Findings
According to Fig 1 a table was used to represent how many people that actually filled out the
questionnaires knew someone who has been a victim of crime in the Laventille area. According
To the table out of the 50 persons whom answered the questionnaires 100% said they knew
someone who has been a victim of crime and as a result not one person knew someone who
hasnt been a victim of crime in Laventille. This shows that crime is very prevalent in Trinidad
and Tobago.
Figure 2 displays a pyramid graph showing the major types of crimes in which people have been
victims to in the Laventille area. Figure 2 indicates that the majority of respondents (36%) stated
that the major crime to which people have fallen victims to in the Laventille area is Robbery.
While the minority of respondents (8%) stated that Gang Activity is the least major crime that
residents have fallen victims for. This trend occurred because the majority of people living in that
area of Laventille may have been prone to Robberies because of the numbers of small
businesses.
Fig 3 shows a Cylindrical Graphical Representation, Displaying People Who Most Likely
Commit Crimes in the Laventille Area. According to the statistics the majority (42%) stated that
Family Members are most likely the ones who commit the most crimes and the minority of
respondents (8%) stated they themselves committed a crime. This trend may have occurred as
family members may talk about the negatively openly almost family members and persons
individually wouldnt admit to committing crimes.
Fig 4 displays a Doughnut Graph Showing the Age Bracket in Percentage the People Most
Likely to Be Influenced into Criminal Activities in the Laventille Area. The majority of
respondents (50%) chose the age bracket of 13-19 shows in the Laventille Area the commit
crime most like are teenagers while the minority of respondents chose the age bracket of Ages 912. This trend occurred because teenagers can be easily influenced by their peers thinking its
easy to make fast money and the age bracket of 9-12 may have been the least because they are
still very young and not developed to even make decisions yet.
According to Fig 5 a Bar Graph was used to Show the Major Causes of Crime in the Laventille
Area. The majority of respondents (30%) indicated that poverty is the major cause of crime and
the minority of respondents (4%) chose television violence as a major cause of crime. This trend
had occurred because when someone is living in poverty they would do anything to get easy
money even if it involves criminal activities. Television violence is only affects by those who
actually watch it which may be a minimum of people.
Fig 6 which was a pie chart was used to show the percentages of the most prominent crimes in
Laventille. The majority of respondents (22%) chose Robbery as being the most prominent crime
in Laventille while the minority of respondents (6%) chose audio theft. This trend occurred
because it is easier of rob a store or individual person that to steal a huge item like a car.
Fig 7 displays An Inverted Pyramid Chart Showing Some Effects of Criminal Activities in the
Laventille Area. The majority of respondents (40%) chose Loss of property as an effect of crime
while the minority of respondents (14%) chose financial issues/replacements as the least effect of
crime in Laventille. These trends may have occurred because loss of property is the easiest
criminal activity to do as it can also be a minor offence while financial issues would be big
crimes which usually happen to a minor extent within Laventille.
Fig 8 was a process chart Showing Suggestions to be implemented in the community of
Lanventille to Reduce Crime. The majority of respondents (50%) chose the strengthening of
parent child relationships to reduce crime level in Laventille while the minority (10%) chose job
availability. These trends occurred because the family is responsible for bringing up a child with
proper know of right from wrong and job availability will help in reducing poverty.
Discussion of Findings
The investigation sought to answer the problem statement, What are the negative impacts of
crime on residents in the district of Laventille within the past 10 years (2004-2014) by analyzing
statistics and data obtained by using specially designed questionnaires distributed based on my
choice to fifty persons in the sample area.
According to the findings by the researcher the main causes of crime in Laventille are as follows:
drug trade, being a victim of crime, lack of educational opportunities, poverty, deprivation of
financial resources , poor parenting skills and television violence. Firstly in the international case
study by Bruce Barglely (2012) stated that similar to the reseachers illicit trafficking of drugs
was the major crime along with the impact of globalization on the supply of drugs in the US.
Also the regional case study by professor A.Clayton (2011) also states that illicit narcotics
leads to criminal activities. The local case study by Holder Yuvette (2006) states that poverty,
reputation of financial resources, lack of education and the illegal drug trade. Lastly
stated in another local case study entitled, No Time To Quit Engaging Youth at Risk Executive
of the Committee on Young Males and crime in Trinidad and Tobago (2013) stated the main
cause of crime contrasts that of the researcher stating that young women are drawn into crime
the influence of their male counterparts whom domestically and physically abuse them. These
trends may have occurred since the drug capitals are considered to be South America. Trinidad
being the transitional zone of drug trade between South America, the US and UK. Laventille has
a close proximity to the port of Port Of Spain.
The data collection also showed that the negative short term negative effects of crime are the loss
of property (for example cars, electronics) and immediate death. Similarly the international case
study by Bruce Barglely (2012) states that death is a negative short term effect along with
others that contrasts the researchers study such as drug use and death. In addition in the
regional case study by professor Antony Clayton (2012) states the negative short term effects of
crime are lock up criminal offenders, social exclusion and unemployment of citizens
which contrasts the researchers findings. In the local case study by Holder Yuvette (2006) states
that small amounts of narcotic possession is a negative short term effect on the residents of
Laventille. Stated in another local case study by The Committee on Young Males and Crime in
Trinidad and Tobago (2013), contrast the findings to the researcher. A short term negative effect
of crime is the suspension from school which is directly associated with the youths. These
trends may have occurred because some criminals are causing immediate effects on lives of the
citizens of Laventille that may not have long term effects but just minor short term.
The findings stated that the long term negavtive effects of crime in
Laventille are loss of property, high mortality rates, break up of families and
financial issues. According to the international case study by Bruce Baglely
(2012) states that gang violence and homicide are the major negative
long term effects of crime but gang violence and homicide leads to the long
term effects stated by the researcher. According to the regional case study
by professor Antony Clayton (2013) the long term negative effects of crime
are possession of illegal guns, crippling of a fragile society poverty as a
result of the rising cost of living which contrasts the researchs study.
Homicide was the only similar effect found. The local case study by Holder
Yuvette (2006), that the long term effects of crime are the continuation of
the drug trade, murder and poverty which contrasts the researchs
findings. Lastly the local case study entitled No Time To Quit: Engaging Youth
at Risk Executive Report of the Committee on Young Males and Crime in
Trinidad and Tobago (2013) stated that the long term effects of crime is to
label a community such as Laventille as a dangerous society on a global
scale having development . These trends may have occurred because crime
affects the residents of Laventille over consistent long periods of time which
have development creating the continuous cycle of crime.
According to the researchers findings the major types of crime in Laventille
are vandalism, rape, kidnapping, robbery, murder, drug trafficking and audio
thefts. Stated in the International article by Bruce Baglely (2012), states that
the major types of crime were land piracy, gold mining and timber
which totally contrasts the researchers results. Likewise to the researchers
findings the regional case study (2013) by professor Anthony Clayton states
that the major types of crime are gang violence and homicides which is
considered similar since gang violence leads to these other types of crime.
Additionally in the local case study by Holder Yuvette (2006), Laventille are
illegal gun trade, killings and the possession of narcotics which is
similar to the researchers findings. In another case study entitled No Time To
Quit: Engaging Youth at Risk Executive Report of the Committee on Young
Males and Crime in Trinidad and Tobago (2013), stated the major types of
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Conclusion
Initially, the aim of this research was to study and provide a suitable answer to the
problem statement, what are the negative impacts of crime on residents in the district of
Laventille within the past 10years (2004-2014)? After analyzing both the primary data
(questionnaires) and secondary information obtained, it was observed that the causes of crime in
the community of Laventille is poverty, lack of educational opportunities, poor parenting skills,
drug trafficking, being a victim of crime and television violence. It was also indicated that crime
does have a negative impact to an extent, to the communitys teens the major long tern and short
term effects of crime in Laventille were loss of property, high mortality rates, break up of
families and financial issues. The major types of crime in Laventille were vandalism, rape,
kidnapping, robbery, murder, drug trafficking and audio theft. The major solutions to help curve
the high rates of criminal activities in Laventille is to strengthen parent child relationships,
educate through academic and trade education and lastly have high increase in job availability.
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Limitations of Research
The study does not prove a holistic evaluation of Trinidad and Tobago because of the limited
sample group used. Hence there may be a questionable approach to the reliability and validity of
the study. The time allotted was also too short making it difficult to have a larger sample group
which would have produced more reliable conclusions.
Another Limitation was that only forty eight of the fifty questionnaires handed out were fully
completed. After reviewing the respondents it seemed that some people were dishonest while
some respondents did not take the time to give a detail and relevant response.
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Recommendations
As a result of my conducting my research objectives Poverty seems like the major cause of crime
in the Caribbean as a whole. Trinidad especially Laventille shows statistical signs that Poverty is
the major cause of crime. Citizens who are jobless, uneducated and influence into a life of crime
seek refuge to acquire money and citizens who are in the wrong company may be encouraged to
commit crime. In order to curb these problems the government and the societies themselves need
to address these issues of crime and the factors relating to it.
If more jobs become readily available especially the ones looking for unskilled workers will
reduce crime immensely as citizens will have a means of income and will not become financially
depressed. Also if more sporting and educational institutes were implemented locally especially
in crime hotspots, where trade skills can be learnt people would have less idle time and can be
able to acquire jobs and not get involved in crime.
Special emphasis must be placed on the young and homeless so reduce delinquency. The
organization of youth groups within villages can reduce delinquent behaviours. More
rehabilitation centers should also be constructed so that drug addicts could cure themselves and
not commit crimes under the influence. In addition activities to strengthen the parent-child
relationship, such as attending places of worship, family outings should be practiced regularly so
that spiritual education, values and morals may be instilled in the child and most likely wouldnt
lead them astray.
Lastly the law enforcement agencies should be updated so that they would become more
efficient. More frequent patrols in districts around Trinidad and Tobago especially Laventille
might curve the high crime rate throughout the region to reduce and monitor crime.
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Bibliography
Baptiste, A. , & Ottley, J.(2004). CAPE Caribbean Studies (A Step by Step Writing
Guide). Barbados: Ottley Solutions.
Boxill, I. et al. (1997). Introduction To Social Research With Applications to the
Caribbean. Jamaica: Canoe Press, U.W.I. 152pp.
Brinkorhoff, B. David. , & White, K. Lynn. (1988). Sociology Second Edition. St. Paul:
West Publishing Company. Unit 2, Chapter 8, p. 201.
Browne, D. et al. (2000). Readings In Caribbean Studies. (C.X.C. CAPE Resource
Material). pp. 191-216.
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World Bank, Yvette Holder, Consultant. (2009). Case Study,
GUNS AND CRIME: A CASE STUDY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (2004-2007).
CaribbeanC&VChapter9.
REFERENCE SITES
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTHAITI/Resources/CaribbeanC&VChapter9.pdf
http://www.economist.com/node/10903343
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/241291574_A_TimeSeries_Analysis_of_Crime_in_Trinidad_and_Tobago