Crime & Justice Committe

The Crime and Justice Committee was formed to demonstrate the Chamber’s concern about the escalating crime wave in the country, and to make a concerted effort, in whatever way possible in partnership with the Government and other Private Sector organizations to deal with issues, problems and solutions on crime and the Criminal Justice System in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Committee has several active sub-committees dealing with specific areas such as: -
•    LEGISLATIVE REFORM
One of the Committee’s mandates is to review proposed and new legislation relevant to crime and the Judicial System.

•    ROAD SAFETY SIGNAGE PROJECT
One of the Committee’s major projects was its Road Safety Signage Project.  The Committee enlisted the assistance of corporate citizens to sponsor Road Signs e.g. “School and Pedestrian Crossing Signs, School Crossing Zone, pedestrian Signs and Crossings, Road Traffic Signs, No Parking Signs and Road Humps Signs”. This initiative was undertaken in collaboration with 3M Interamerica Inc., (Trinidad and Tobago Division) and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, which was responsible for the maintenance of the signs, and infrastructural development.

•     NEIGHBOURHOOD CRIME WATCH
The Committee’s “Neighbourhood Crime Watch” project was re-launched on May 21, 2002. Neighbourhood Crimewatch is a programme aimed at reducing crime in the community.  It involves establishing and maintaining watch groups within the community with the objective of looking out for each others safety, thereby combating crime in a most effective way – before it starts.  Neighbourhood Crime Watch provides a means of reducing the opportunities for crime to occur, through the active participation of citizens in crime prevention.  Individuals are taught how to:
1.    Make their homes less inviting as a target for thieves
2.    Be alert to suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods
3.    Identify and report a suspicious character or crime to the Police

•    CRIME STOPPERS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
The Chamber is one of the Stakeholders of Crime Stoppers Trinidad and Tobago which is a non-profit community programme designed to combat the heightened levels of fear resulting from the increase in certain types of crime. It is a partnership among the community, the police and the media, and allows the public to assist in the fight against crime without fear of being identified or exposed as it guarantees anonymity and confidentiality. It offers rewards for information which may result in an arrest or seizure.  Crime Stoppers Hotline numbers are 800-TIPS AND 800-STOP.  This programme was launched in March 2002.