00:00Speaking on the Morning Edition, criminologist Dr. Randy Seepersad says
00:05gangs have developed influential networks that extend well beyond the streets,
00:10making them increasingly difficult to dismantle.
00:15Historically, when you look, you do see that in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:19there is a link between gangs and politicians.
00:23Gangs have their hands in everything.
00:25You know, things that perhaps the public might not even imagine.
00:28For instance, illegal quarrying, gangs have their hands in legitimate businesses as well,
00:35in extortion, in a very wide range of things, and they're actually very, very connected.
00:40He also welcomes the government's decision to engage criminologists, psychologists, sociologists,
00:47and target schools in its crime strategy, saying a coordinated approach is necessary
00:52to tackle the root causes of gang involvement.
00:55He says the government is tackling all levels of crime.
01:00One of the things that I've seen, I think, coming out clearly,
01:04especially from the prime minister and her government,
01:06is a very clear resolve to deal with crime at all levels.
01:12You know, we've seen it in parliament, we've heard it on the media, etc.
01:16And this, of course, is just another example of that actually happening.
01:22And that is something that we should be glad for.
01:24And again, I'm not, certainly not casting any institutions of guilt.
01:28Dr. Sipasad believes meaningful progress will depend on addressing both the social conditions
01:34that draw young people into gangs and the criminal networks that sustain them.
01:39You will hear people say, if you come from a certain community, nobody wants to hide you.
01:44And, you know, in situations like this, youths will gravitate to alternative structures
01:50which allow them, at least as they perceive it, to get a sense of upward social mobility,
01:57to achieve a sense of self-worth and respect from their peers, etc.
02:03Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
02:09Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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