My research paper builds on previous blog posts as outlined below:
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As introduced in a previous blog post, an assessment of Trinidad and Tobago was conducted, and a Strategic Document generated that outlined SDGs, and a road map to achieve same. It also listed factors (Social Behavioral Factors) that hindered the achievement of SGDs. In addition, it looked at the United Nations SDG's, with particular focus on Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
Crime/Crime Statistics
Another blog, showed how crime statistics could be used to gauge societal behaviors, allowing for a greater understanding of the status of the cultural factors of rule of law/corruption/the individual and the group and how these affected the achievement of SDGs.
The Crime Prevention Triangle
An earlier blog also exposed the reader to the crime prevention triangle theory. This theory outlines the three main contributing elements of crime (ability/opportunity/desire) and how without one element, a crime cannot occur.
The blog also introduces the reader to the concept that attempting to simply reduce crime for crime reduction's sake will not improve society and allow for sustainable development but that an indirect approach is needed to change attitudes and behaviors which will in turn move society to progressive-prone attitudes, which will lead to the achievement of SDGs.
Research Focus
My research into the areas of crime and crime prevention strategies, has shown that over the last few years, billions of dollars have been expended to fight crime ($48B allocated to National Security in 7 years to fight crime - CNC3) and there has been no significant reduction in crime as shown in Figure 1 below:
A reasonable conclusion from the above two pieces of information is that expenditure is not realizing results. Put another way, the strategies used are not working!
A review of the strategic plans of the divisions of Ministry of National Security (MNS), the overarching State Entity charged with securing the twin island state internally and externally with subdivisions like (in no order of relevance)
a. Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS)
b. Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF)
c. Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service (TTPrs)
d. Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS)
e. Trinidad and Tobago Forensic Sciences Centre (TTFSC)
f. Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
g. Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force (TTCF)
i. General Administration (GA)
would show leanings towards direct crime prevention strategies with little focus on indirect strategies to mitigate against social behaviors and attitudes that cause crime. Another reasonable and fair inference is that the MNS and its subdivisions have to focus on direct crime fighting, as state security is their primary responsibility as outlined in the Constitution.
This is all good and well, but further research would revolve around an earlier posed concept - Value for Money, and if the population is getting maximum value for the billions spent. There have been papers done on this topic as could be seen in the two articles linked below:
a. Study in the United Kingdom
The two aforementioned bodies of work show dynamics that evaluate Value for Money, and a cursory review of the metrices used has led to a general conclusion....... The money spent on direct crime fighting is not money well spent. The old adage applies......Throwing good money after bad (a good article on same could also be found here).
Being a member of the MNS (TTDF/Regiment), I myself for the last twenty-one (21) years have said that indirect methods (like Social Crime Prevention) are for other ministries, like:
a. Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education
b. Ministry of People and Social Development
c. Ministry of Community Development
d. Ministry of Labor, and Small and Micro Enterprise Development
e. Ministry of Planning and Development
f. Ministry of Planning, Economic Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs
h. Ministry of Sorts and Youth Affairs
But again, with exposure to research methodologies, data analysis, statistic review and a widening of understanding, I myself have to reluctantly admit, that my understandings for the last twenty-one years have been wrong or better put, misinformed. It comes down to two simple questions - To which ministry is the largest budget allocated? & Can this money be better spent elsewhere while still reducing crime? Those answers I'll pose to you to ponder on as we explore same in future blog post!! I also encourage your input and feedback!
My current focus is therefore on reviewing the factors that cause crime and using this data, determining linkages between these factors and social behavioral attitudes and then implementing strategies to counter these attitudes and behaviors, which I hope will have the overall impact of crime reduction, by changing cultural traits. I therefore plan to fight crime by not focusing on crime, but by focusing on individuals in society and removing the factors that lead them to acts of criminality, with the simple aim of moving Trinidad and Tobago closer to Sustainable Development.
Importance of Research
This research is of critical import, as a critical part of the larger puzzle, as without it, and without adjacent studies that provide pathways that would lead society to progressive-prone attitudes, Trinidad and Tobago could lose out on the benefits of Sustainable Development that equates to an end to poverty, planetary (environmental) protection and peace and prosperity for all.
