Crime Stoppers Trinidad and Tobago has launched a new campaign in Tobago in a bid to address the rising crime rate in the country. On Saturday, the organization, participated in a walkabout across key areas of the island to show commitment to the expansion of their crime reduction initiative.
After more than two decades of service and seven years of operations in Tobago, Crime Stoppers Trinidad and Tobago is gearing up for a new era of community engagement.
At the launch of the new campaign on Saturday, President of the Tobago Tourism and Hospitality Association, Chris James said it is up to us to regain control, so that law abiding citizens can rest comfortably. He highlighted the negative effect crime has had on Tobago.
“Crime has also affected our biggest industry tourism, all the millions of dollars that we spend on tourism, marketing can be wasted with one or two incidences of crime. So, it is important from two points of view. First of all the peace of mind of the people that live here, but also for our economic survivability.”
Pointing to the successes of the crime stoppers programme and callers anonymity, he noted that in its 25 years of operations, not one tipster has been identified.
“1,723 people have been arrested because of tips through crime stoppers. Over 28 million dollars worth of stolen property has been recovered because of crime stoppers. Over 3 million of narcotics recovered. 426 firearms have been recovered and the list goes on.”
Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Gender and Child Affairs, Ayanna Webster-Roy again urged the people of Trinidad and Tobago to share the information required to curb crime and violence.
“As Government we are trying to implement for the first time in Trinidad and Tobago an action plan based on women peace and security using women and the principles around women peace and security to address gang and gun violence in Trinidad and Tobago. But no action plan could work unless information comes in to us.”
She reiterated, there are various ways for members of the public to safely communicate and disseminate information.
“So if you not comfortable to reach out to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, know that you have a confidential, reliable platform through the crime stoppers initiative, where you could call them or go online, reach out through the app, send the information so that we could take the necessary steps.”
The CSTT is a community based, non-profit, non-military organization managed by a civilian volunteer board of directors.
With over 22,000 tips received and nearly 1,700 arrests made since 1999, Crime Stoppers Trinidad and Tobago said it has proven its effectiveness in combating crime.