Crime Control Efforts in CARICOM Fail – Caribbean Life

According to a recent United Nations (UN) report, the strategy promoted to help reduce gang violence in several CARICOM states, including Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St Lucia, has rarely been used to achieve this goal.

The press release stated that despite the plea for a public health response, and although the governments of several Caribbean countries had simultaneously stepped up their “tough on crime” measures by declaring states of emergency, passing anti-gang legislation and establishing anti-crime units authorising heavy-handed policing, there was dissatisfaction with the strategy and that responses to heavy-handed police tactics were not uniform.

“While tough policing strategies against crime have led to an increase in arrests and drug seizures, there has been an erosion of trust within heavily policed ​​communities, and there are also concerns about extrajudicial violence.”

The investigation found that extrajudicial killings by police have resulted in St. Lucia being subject to US Leahy Law sanctions. In addition, there have been reports of extrajudicial violence in Jamaica and Guyana. Trinidad & Tobago, however, has not reported any extrajudicial killings.

The Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. Departments of State and Defense from arming foreign security forces that commit human rights abuses without facing consequences.

The research shows that the four countries’ efforts to combat gangs have had unintended but damaging consequences. It also added that “Caribbean, US and EU-supported measures to tackle gang leaders are also producing negative results.”

The report found that “several national governments in the CARICOM region have expressed concerns that drug trafficking, gang fragmentation and insecurity could worsen in the coming years as some gang leaders lower their profiles and go underground.” It also singled out the Dearing gang members, who are replacements for imprisoned or deceased gang members who are even more violent towards their opponents.

The UN reports also stated that efforts to arrest gang leaders in Trinidad and Tobago had increased significantly, although this has had negative consequences. Heavy-handed measures to crack down on criminal groups such as drug cartels and gangs can lead to more violence, as in the case of Trinidad and Tobago.

The Strategic Services Agency (SSA) assessment predicts “a new wave of violent crime” in 2021, with a rise in murders, shootings and other violent crimes. Since then, gang members have gained access to higher-caliber weapons from the U.S., Venezuela and sometimes even domestic sources. Crime is not being marginalized; gangs have expanded into new activities, including fraud, money laundering, robbery, human trafficking and illegal gambling.

Caribbean authorities have explored a range of efforts and informal negotiations to implement preventive measures; however, responses to their effectiveness have been mixed. For example, “preventive approaches that use trusted intermediaries to disrupt or interrupt violence before it escalates have been credited with some positive results.”

Another area that has shown and demonstrated positive results is “Cure Violence,” a group that treats violence as a public health issue. They have shown positive results in both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.”

Other outreach programs, such as Resolve Enmity, Articulate Solutions, Organize Neighborhoods (REASON), and Building Blocks, are no longer operational due to lack of funding. Organizations like REASON are credited with helping reduce homicides by 45 percent in 16 neighborhoods. Project Building Block has also done a good job of reducing shootings between 2020 and 2022.

The study noted that organized crime and gangs are also fueled by government corruption, state apathy, and societal neglect. It revealed that societal neglect has been present in the Caribbean since the mid-20th century. “Whether they are transnationally linked or operate in a highly localized manner, most gangs emerge in response to criminal opportunities and in circumstances of social and economic deprivation.”

The investigation also found how dishonest officials have enabled criminal gangs to operate. “While a sensitive issue, it is widely acknowledged that Caribbean gangs often collaborate with state actors and private companies. In return, gang leaders may receive privileged access to government contracts (e.g. construction) and protection from investigation, arrest and prosecution.”

The research also found that few well-connected gangs assist in the movement of illicit goods, including weapons, narcotics, smuggled immigrants and people who have been trafficked, “with tacit or exaggerated support from well-placed politicians, corrupt customs officials and complicit police officers.”

The report said the contribution of Caribbean political and business leaders to facilitating gang activity and illicit markets is not well documented. It added: “Some gangs may also obtain ammunition from local police and defence forces, as has been reported in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Discussing the UN report with Caribbean Life newspaper, Institute of Caribbean Studies President and Crime and Security Committee member Herb Nelson said he was not surprised by the corruption and lack of integrity as there is no documentation of statistics to track the activities of the criminals. Nelson also noted that human trafficking is the biggest crime problem facing CARICOM, along with drugs and weapons.

The chairman said the Caribbean is a “soft target” for the cartels because they need land and space for money laundering and ways to increase their money.

Nelson also said the Caribbean needs to realize that the vast majority of weapons come from America. “The weapons come in, and the drugs and people go out,” he added.

In his response to the UN investigation, Dr. Rupert Francis, Co-Chair of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council, added his comments, noting that CARICOM leaders must find a way to resolve the issue and provide data from 2023-2024 to achieve the goals and prevent escalation.