ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, I would like to thank God for blessing me with the health, strength and knowledge I
needed to conduct and complete this research and also to meet all the respected requirements
for my research project (IA). I would also like to express thanks to my two teachers who have
guided me along the way in completing this research study and have helped me to understand
the different aspects. I would also express my warmest thanks to my parents who have
encouraged me throughout and provided me with the necessary resources needed in
completing my research project. Special thanks to my siblings and friends who have assisted me
in my project together with all of those who participated in the study.

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 INTRODUCTION

Over the years, Trinidad’s crime rate has increased significantly with it being a major issue to all
parts of the country. The increase in crime has been characterized by the increased in the use
of weapons and the resulting murder rates. The rate of assault, robbery, kidnapping, human
trafficking, murder and rape in Trinidad is also among the highest in the world. Crime has not
only been an illegal act where an individual looses his/her possessions by the act of robbery or
theft or looses one’s life by the act of murder but can also be an act where it creates a threat to
one’s physical and mental well being. The victims of crime suffer both long term and short term
effects. Individuals tend to live in fear not wanting to leave their homes and even fear to be in
their own homes if a crime was convicted in that individuals home. Victims often fall into
depression or anxiety related illnesses and even post traumatic stress disorder after
experiencing a crime. Family and friends of victims are also likely to be affected. They might
experience similar emotions as the victims, as well as concern for the victim. While crime is a
major issue to deal with there is also a need to investigate further as to what extent crime has
negatively impacted the physical and mental well-being of individuals or victims of crime.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
To investigate the increase in crime together with the extent it has negatively impacted the
physical and mental well-being of individuals in the Couva and Chaguanas areas of Central
Trinidad?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate the effect of crime on the physical and mental well being of individual in
the Couva and Chaguanas areas of Central Trinidad.
2. To investigate if crime is common in Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad.
3. To investigate ways victims can cope and protect themselves from crime.
4. To use this research to decide on possible ways for reducing and preventing crime.

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PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
The purpose of this research is to investigate to what extent crime has negatively impacted the
physical and mental well-being of individuals in the Couva and Chaguanas areas of Central
Trinidad. The Central region of Trinidad has been listed to be the main areas crime throughout
the country; therefore there are many victims of crime residing in these areas. The effect of
crime on Trinidad is mainly focused on the impact on businesses, tourism and the economy and
not on the impact on victims. Individual’s physical and mental health have never been taken
into consideration from Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) or the government of
Trinidad. Hence this investigation was chosen to bring awareness to the impact crime have on
an individual’s physical and metal well being and also come up with solutions and strategies to
protect themselves and find ways in which crime can be reduced and prevented.

VALUE OF RESEARCH
The value of this research is to examine the effect crime has on the physical and mental well
being of individuals and also ways in which it can be prevented or reduced. With this research it
can be use to educate others on this topic and the information can be used to provide
awareness for individual on the effects of crime. With the increase in knowledge on crime one
can now be apprehensive to ways this situation can be dealt with and also ways in which it can
be prevented and reduced.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Crime is defined as any action/act/deed which constitutes an offense and is against the
law.
2. Theft is defined as the act of taking another individual's property without permission or
legal right.
3. Illegal is defined as any action being forbidden by law.
4. Robbery is defined as theft by force or threat of a force.
5. Murder is defined as the unlawful intentional killing of one human being by another.
6. Victim is defined as a person who is harmed/injured/killed as a result of a
crime/accident.
7. Post traumatic stress disorder is defined as a condition of persistent mental and
emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

On April 18th 2016, OSAC, the United States Department of States, Bureau of Diplomatic
Security reported on their website that crime in Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a serious
concern. The report stated, according to Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) statistics
that there were 420 murders in 2015, 403 in 2014, 407 in 2013, 379 in 2012 and 352 in 2011
out of a population of approximately 1.3 million people. The rate for murder was 13.6 percent
for 2015, a decrease from 16.1 percent in 2014. The majority of crimes in Trinidad are gang and
drug related or domestic in nature with this being attributed to the influence of gangs, illegal
narcotics and firearm. The statistics shows that there was a seizure of 691 firearms in 2015 and
almost 81 percent of murders being committed by firearm. Most crimes occur within the areas
of Port of Spain and San Fernando as the report stated but my research will focus on the areas
of Couva and Chaguanas where I would examine the extent of which crime affects these areas.

An article on the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on June 20 th 2016, published that Trinidad and
Tobago has been ranked 7th in a listing of 10 countries with the highest crime rates. The ranking
was taken from an article published by US media company Gazzette Review. This article shows
the level of which our country of Trinidad and Tobago has reached with our crime rate and
matters should be taken to reduce the crime rate as well as prevent it from increasing.

The Trinidad and Tobago Guardian on May 17 th 2016 published that there is a call for more
police patrol in Chaguanas. The article stated that Chaguanas residents said that the crime in
the area has gotten out of hand and the police need to patrol the community more often.
My research will therefore show how this area is affected by this increase in crime.

S. Cronje and J. M. Zietsman authors of the book Criminology, Fet Level 3 provided information
about: The Individual, Society and Crime, under Topic 3. This topic was further divided with
subheadings as the effect of crime and victimisation, the effects of crime and victimisation on
the individual and lastly the effect of crime and victimisation on society. Under these
subheadings it stated that when crime occurs it affects the victims, it has an impact on the
victims and this impact leads to changes in their behaviour and lifestyle. Individuals not only
suffer physical wounds from crime but also psychological, sociological and emotional wounds as
well as financial loss.

In the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday on October 10th 2015, an article was published based on a
World Mental Health day theme, “Dignity in Mental Health”, originated by the World Health
Organisation (WHO). This brings awareness to how important mental health is to everyone and
those who suffer from mental diseases or illnesses should be cared for. Dr. Varma Deyalsingh,

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secretary of the Psychiatric Association stated that mental health soon would be a major
problem in this country. Deyalsingh said depression, relationship problems, anxiety disorders,
post traumatic stress disorder, psychotic illnesses, drug-induced disorders and fear are the
most common disorders seen. The increased crime rate created an increase in fear and anxiety
as well, with victims of crime visiting mainly for post traumatic stress. He quoted that a patient
of his, whose sons were both killed, is traumatised and feeling a constant sense of injustice
knowing her son’s killer is still out there. My study will show if these disorders and mental
illness affects the victims of crime in Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) series on Crime and Violence in Trinidad and
Tobago written by Randy Seepersad, June 2016 provided information on programmes and
projects whose explicit aim is to reduce crime and violence in Trinidad and Tobago. The
programmes were grouped into four categories being primary, secondary and tertiary
prevention and the fourth one being suppression initiatives. Primary prevention programs
included those that target the population in general to increase protective factors and reduce
the risk factors, promote non criminal behaviours and strengthen communities. Secondary
prevention programs are those that target children, youth, women, or families specifically
identified as being at risk of becoming victims of crime. These initiatives aim to intervene
before early behaviours turn into serious delinquency or to prevent a victim from being further
victimized. Tertiary prevention or rehabilitation programs target individuals who have already
been victims of crime and help them develop strategies and support networks to avoid being
victimized once more. Suppression initiatives are those that aim to improve the functioning of
the criminal justice system such as the police, judiciary and prisons or create innovative new
practices in controlling crime. My study will show that the population in the areas of Couva and
Chaguanas would agree on these programs and ways to prevent/reduce crime.

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 DATA COLLECTION SOURCES

To conduct this study on the extent of which crime has impacted the physical and mental well-
being of individuals in Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad both primary and secondary
sources of data collection was used.

Primary data sources included questionnaires and interviews while secondary data sources
included local newspaper articles, books and internet websites all from professional writers.

The primary data was collected by questionnaires. A questionnaire is a form of survey research
which is a method of collecting information about a population of interest. A questionnaire is a
list of pre-set questions used to collect information from individuals of interest. The same
questions are given to each individual so that the same information can be gathered from every
member who takes part in the sample. Questionnaires are designed with both open ended
questions and closed ended questions. It is the simplest form of survey where information can
be gathered easily, quickly and in great amounts.

For this study, the sample was done throughout the areas of Couva and Chaguanas in Central
Trinidad. This study was conducted over a four day period from January 7th 2017 to January 10th
2017. Thirty questionnaires were distributed each day of the four days to business owners,
individuals at home as well as random individuals on the streets and were collected on the
same day. The individuals were given approximately ten minutes until returning the
questionnaires. A total of one hundred and twenty questionnaires were distributed for this
research. The questionnaire was designed with a total of eighteen closed ended questions (see
Appendix 1). Data was obtained using Simple Random Sampling. This is obtained by having a
specific sub group of a statistical population where each member in this sub group has an equal
probability of being chosen. The population of Couva and Chaguanas was chosen where
individuals were randomly selected.

This source of data collection helped in acquiring the essential information needed to answer
the research problem. This quantitative method of data collection was used because of the
simplicity and effectiveness of its analysis.

The secondary data collection sources used was local newspaper articles, books and internet
websites. This source of data collection helps make primary data collection more specific and
additional information needed can be collected. It also improves the understanding of the
research being conducted. Mainly it provides a basis for comparison for the primary data being
collected.

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 IERE HIGH SCHOOL
CARIBBEAN STUDIES
“QUESTIONNAIRE”

Topic: The increase in crime and the impact it has on an individual’s physical and
mental well being.

Please tick the appropriate response(s) to their respective questions.

1. AGE: RELIGION:

GENDER: MALE FEMALE ETHNICITY:

2. How long have you been living in the area you reside?

0 – 6 months 1 year – 5 years

6 months – 1 year 5 years and over

3. Do you experience crime in the area you live in? YES NO

4. Have you ever been a victim of crime? YES NO

5. What crime is/are popular in the area you live in?

Petty Thief Robbery Murder

Home invasions Kidnapping Rape

Others:

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 6. Rate/rank which crime is the most popular from question 5 above.

First (1st) Second (2nd)

Third (3rd) Fourth (4th)

7. Do you think crime has increased or decreased in your country?

Increased Decreased

8. Do you think crime affects your mental and physical well being?

YES NO

9. What effect(s) do you think crime imposes on an individual?

Fear Stress

Anxiety Anger

Sleep Problems Sadness

Grief Repeated thoughts of the event

Reduced performance at work Reduced performance at school

All of the above

Others:

10. Rate/rank which of the effects from question 8 above affects an individual most.

First (1st) Second (2nd)

Third (3rd) Fourth (4 th)

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 11. Do you think all types of crime affects an individual mentally?

YES NO

12. Do you think these physical damages (damage organs, broken bones, shot wounds,
burns, partially/ fully paralyse, etc,) as a result of crime can affect the physical
functioning and daily activity of an individual?

YES NO

13. Do you think mental damages cause by crime would have an effect on the physical well
being of an individual? (Eg. Fear to do daily activities, lack of sleep, lack of social
interactions, etc.)

YES NO

14. Do you think the government is doing enough in preventing you and your family from
crime?

YES NO

15. Rate the performance of the government and its effort to protect you and your family
from crime.

0 – 2 (Bad) 3 – 5 (Fair) 6 – 9 (Good) 10 – 12 (Excellent)

16. Rate the performance of the police service and its effort to protect you and your family
from crime.

0 – 2 (Bad) 3 – 5 (Fair) 6 – 9 (Good) 10 – 12 (Excellent)

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 17. What do you think the government should do to help victims of crime?

Support groups Provide assistance

Subsidise for loses Counselling

Ensure proper justice is given More police officers in communities

All of the above

Others:

18. What do you think is/are some ways in which crime can be prevented/reduced?

Securing home, businesses, property properly

Being aware of your surroundings (for suspicious activities)

Security cameras

Enforce laws with increased fines and punishments

A greater police patrols in communities.

Community watch (neighbour watch)

All of the above

Others:

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 PRESENTATION OF DATA

Figure 1: Pie Chart Showing 97% of the Sample Experiencing

Crime in Central Trinidad

3%

Experienced crime
Have not experienced crime

97%

Question 3: Do you experience crime in the area you live in?

Pie chart based on the response to Question 3.

The pie chart in figure 1, shows the majority of responders have experienced crime in the area
they live in. Ninety-seven percent (97%) stated they have experienced crime while three
percent (3%) stated they have not experienced crime.

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 Figure 2: Column Graph Showing the Popular Crimes in Central
Trinidad
90

80 83
81
70 76

60 67
Percentage /%

50

40

30 34
20

10

0 7
Petty Thief Robbery Murder Home Invasion Kidnapping Rape

Type of Crime

Question 5: What crime is/are popular

… in the area you live in?

Column graph based on the response to Question 5 where individuals where allowed to choose
more than one answer for this question.

The column graph in figure 2, shows that robbery eighty-three percent (83%), petty thief
eighty-one percent (81%) , home invasion seventy-six percent (76%) and murder sixty-seven
percent (67%) being the most popular crime in Central Trinidad while kidnapping thirty-four
percent (34%) and rape seven percent (7%).

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 Figure 3: Bar Graph Showing the Rankings of the Four Most
Popular Crime In Central Trinidad

Murder
4th

Home Invasion
3rd
Rank

Petty Thief
2nd

Robbery
1st

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percentage/%

Question 6: Rate/rank which crime is…the most popular from question 5.

Bar graph based on the response to Question 6.

The bar graph in figure 3, shows that robbery is ranked first (1 st) as the most popular crime in
Central Trinidad followed by petty thief, home invasion and then murder.

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 Bubble Graph Showing the Increase in Crime in the Country of
Trinidad
120

100

80
Percentage/%

60

Increased
40
Decreased
20

-20

Question 7: Do you think crime has increased or decreased in your country?

Bubble graph based on the response to Question 7.

The bubble graph in figure 4, shows that there is an hundred percent (100%) increase in crime
in the country of Trinidad.

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 Figure 5: Table showing the views on the effect of crime on the mental and
physical well being of individuals.

RESPONSE TOTAL PERCENTAGE/%

Yes 101 84
No 19 16
TOTAL 120 100

Question 8: Do you think crime affects your mental and physical well being?

Table based on the response to Question 8.

The table above in figure 5, illustrates that eighty-four percent (84%) of individuals thought
crime affects your mental and physical well being while sixteen percent (16%) of individuals
thought crime does not affect your mental and physical well being.

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 Figure 6: Table showing a list of effects crime imposes on an individual.

CRIME EFFECTS
 Petty Thief Fear
 Robbery Stress
 Murder Anxiety
 Home Invasion Sleeping problems
 Kidnapping Sadness
 Rape Anger
Grief
Repeated thoughts of event
Reduced performance at school
Reduced performance at work

Question 9: What effect do you think crime imposes on and individual?

Table based on the response to Question 9 where individuals where allowed to choose more
than one answer for this question.

The table in figure 6, shows a list of the effects crime imposes on an individual where a hundred
percent (100%) of the responders choose the “all of the above” option.

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 Figure 7: Pie Chart Showing the Rankings of the Four Most
Popular Effects of Crime

7%
11%

14% 1st - Fear

68%
2nd - Anxiety
3rd - Grief
4th - Stress

Question 10: Rate/rank which of the effects from question 8 affects an individual most.

Pie chart based on the response to question 10.

The pie chart in figure 7, shows that fear is ranked first (1 st) as the most popular effect crime
imposes on an individual followed by anxiety, grief and then stress.

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 Figure 8: Column Graph Showing the Views on Physical
Damages and Mental Damages of Crime

100
Percentage/%

80

60

40

20 YES

0
NO
Question 12
Question 13

Question 12 Question 13
NO 4 7
YES 96 93

Question 12: Do you think these physical damages (damage organs, broken bones, shot
wounds, burns, partially/ fully paralyse, etc,) as a result of crime can affect the physical
functioning and daily activity of an individual?

Question 13: Do you think mental damages cause by crime would have an effect on the
physical well being of an individual? (Eg. Fear to do daily activities, lack of sleep, lack of
social interaction etc.)

Column graph based on the response to Question 12 and Question 13.

The column graph in figure 8, illustrates that majority of the responders chose YES as their
answer for crime affecting the physical functioning and daily activity of an individual and for
mental damages caused by crime affecting the physical well being of an individual.

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 Figure 9: Bar Graph Showing the Views on Prevention of Crime
by the Government
YES or NO Response

NO 87%

13%
YES
YES
NO
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%

Percentage/%

Question 14: Do you think the government is doing enough in preventing you and your
family from crime?

Bar graph based on the response to Question 14.

The bar graph above in figure 9, shows that thirteen (13%) of individuals thought the
government is doing enough in crime prevention while eighty-seven (87%) did not think that
the government is doing enough in crime prevention.

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 Figure 10: Bubble Graph Showing the Performance Rates of the
Government on Protecting Families from Crime
90

80
73 %
70

60

50
Percentage/%

40
0-2 (Poor)
30 3-5 (Fair)
20 19 % 6-9 (Good)
10
8% 10-12 (Excellent)
0 0%

-10

-20

Question 15: Rate the performance of the government and its effort to protect you
and your family from crime.

Bubble graph based on the response to Question 15.

The bubble graph in figure 10, shows that seventy-three percent (73%) of the responders rated
the performance of the government and its effort to protect families from crime as poor, while
nineteen percent (19%) rated it as fair, eight percent (8%) as good and zero percent (0%) as
excellent.

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 Figure 11: Doughnut Graph Showing the Performance Rates of
the Police Service on Protecting Families from Crime
0%

5%
6%

0-2 (Poor)
3-5 (Fair)
6-9 (Good)
87% 10-12 (Excellent)

Question 16: Rate the performance of the police service and its effort to
protect you and your family from crime.

Doughnut graph based on the response to Question 16.

The doughnut graph in figure 11, shows that eighty-seven percent (87%) of the responders
rated the performance of the police service and its effort to protect families from crime as
poor, while six percent (6%) rated it as fair, five percent (5%) as good and zero percent (0%) as
excellent.

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 Figure 12: Conical Graph Showing the Government's Assistance
to Victims of Crime

100
90
80
70
Percentage/%

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Support Provide Subsidise for Counselling Ensure More police
groups assistance loses proper officers in
justice is communities
given

Question 17: What do you think the government should do to help victims of crime?

Conical graph based on the response to Question 17 where individuals where allowed to
choose more than one answer for this question.

The conical graph above in figure 12, shows a hundred percentage (100%) results for each
assistance method where each responder choose the “all of the above” option

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 Figure 13: Table Showing Methods in which Crime can be Prevented/Reduced

PREVENTION PERCENTAGE/%

Securing home, businesses, property properly 100

Being aware of your surroundings (for 100
suspicious activities)
Security cameras 100
Enforce laws with increased fines and 100
punishments
A greater police patrols in communities. 100
Community watch (neighbour watch) 100

Question 18: What do you think is/are some ways in which crime can be
prevented/reduced?

Table based on the response to Question 18 where individuals where allowed to choose more
than one answer for this question.

The table above in figure 13, shows a list of ways in which crime can be prevented/reduced
where a hundred percentage (100%) of the responders choose the “all of the above” option.

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 ANALYSIS OF DATA

The purpose of this research is to primarily investigate the effect of crime on the physical and
mental well being of individual in the areas of Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad. This
study is also intended to investigate if there is a lot of crime taking place in Couva and
Chaguanas, Central Trinidad and ways victims can cope and protect themselves from crime
together with possible ways for reducing and preventing crime.

Figure 1 shows that ninety-seven percent (97%) of responders have experienced crime which
indicates that a high percentage of residents have experienced crime in the areas of Couva and
Chaguanas, Central Trinidad. From the one hundred and twenty (120) distributed
questionnaires, ninety-seven percent (97%) of the responders stated they have experienced
crime while three percent (3%) stated that they have not experienced crime before. This
outcome shows that majority of the residents in Couva and Chaguanas were victims of crime.

Figure 2, based on the responses to Question 5 where the individuals were allowed to choose
more than one answer to this question, shows that petty thief, robbery, murder, home
invasions, kidnapping and rape are all crime that occur in the area of Couva and Chaguanas.
Robbery is seen to be the most popular crime as eighty-three percent (83%) of the responders
selected it. Eighty-one percent (81%) of the responders chose petty thief, sixty-seven percent
(67%) chose murder, seventy-six percent (76%) chose home invasion, thirty-four (34%) chose
kidnapping and seven (7%) percent chose rape. According to figure 3, robbery is ranked first
(1st) as the most popular crime in the areas of Couva and Chaguanas followed by petty thief in
second (2nd), home invasion in third (3rd) and murder in fourth (4th).

Figure 4 shows that there is an increase in crime in the country of Trinidad. From the one
hundred and twenty (120) responders each responder chose an increase in crime resulting in a
hundred percent (100%) increase in crime. Hence this can be reason on why so many
individuals have experienced crime as seen from figure 1.

The table in figure 5 illustrates the views on the effect of crime on the mental and physical well
being of individuals. From the one hundred and twenty (120) distributed questionnaires, one
hundred and one (101) responders selected YES crime affects your mental and physical well
being while nineteen (19) responders selected NO crime does not affect your mental and
physical well being. In percentage, eighty-four percent (84%) chose YES and sixteen (16%) chose
NO. This results shows that crime do affect the mental and physical well being of an individual.

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Figure 6, based on the responses to Question 9 where the individuals were allowed to choose
more than one answer to this question, shows that hundred percent (100%) of the responders
chose the “All of the above” option. The table in figure 6 represents a list of the effects crime
imposes on an individual where the hundred and twenty (120) responders thought fear, stress,
anxiety, sleeping problems, sadness, anger, grief, repeated thoughts of the event and reduced
performance at school and work were all effects crime imposes on an individual.

In figure 7 corresponding to figure 6, fear is ranked first (1 st) as the most popular effect crime
imposes on an individual with sixty-eight percent (68%). Anxiety is ranked second (2nd) with
fourteen percent (14%) followed by grief in third (3 rd) with eleven percent (11%) and then
stress with seven percent (7%) in fourth (4th).

Figure 8, based on the responses to Question 12 and 13 illustrates the views on physical and
mental damages of crime. Ninety-six percent (96%) of the responders thought that physical
damages caused by crime can affect the physical functioning and daily activity of and individual
while four percent (4%) did not think physical damages caused by crime can affect the physical
functioning and daily activity of an individual. It also shows that ninety-three percent (93%) of
the responders thought that mental damages caused by crime affects the physical well being of
an individual while seven percent (7%) did not think mental damages caused by crime affects
the physical well being of an individual. These results show that crime contributes to both
mental and physical damages of individuals.

Referring to figure 9, eighty-seven percent (87%) of the responders did not think the
government was doing enough in preventing their family from crime while thirteen percent
(13%) thought that the government is doing enough in preventing their family from crime. This
result illustrates that crime is still occurring at a great rate with little or no effort from the
government in stopping, reducing or preventing crime.

When asked to rate the performance of the government on its effort to protect families from
crime, seventy-three percent (73%) rated them as poor within the range of 0-2 according to
figure 10. Nineteen percent (19%) rated them as fair within the range of 3-5 and eight percent
(8%) rated them as good within the range of 6-9 with no ratings of excellent within the range
10-12. Therefore the performance of the government is rated as poor on the protection of
families from crime.

With respect to the ratings of the performance of the police service on their effort to protect
families from crime in figure 11, eighty-seven percent (87%) rated them as poor within the
range of 0-2, six percent (6%) rated them as fair within the range of 3-5 and five percent (5%)
rated them as good within the range of 6-9 with no ratings of excellent within the range of 10-

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12. This result shows that the performance of the police service is also rated as poor on the
protection of families from crime.

Figure 12, based on the responses to Question 17 where the individuals were allowed to choose
more than one answer to this question, shows that hundred percent (100%) of the responders
chose the “All of the above” option. From the one hundred and twenty (120) distributed
questionnaires one hundred percent (100%) of the responders thought that the government
should develop support groups, provide assistance, subsidise for loses, provide counselling,
ensure proper justice is given and have more police officers in communities to assist victims of
crime.

The table in figure 13, based on responses to Question 18 where individuals were allowed to
choose more than one answer to this question, shows that hundred percent (100%) of the
responders chose the “All of the above” option. From the one hundred and twenty (120)
distributed questionnaires one hundred percent (100%) of the responders thought that
securing homes, businesses, property properly, being aware of your surroundings, having
security cameras, enforcing laws with increased fines and punishments, having a greater
number of police patrols in communities and having community watch are all ways in which
crime can be prevented or reduced.

Overall it can be seen that there is an increase in the level of crime in the areas of Couva and
Chaguanas where crime can affects an individual not only in these areas but others both
mentally and physically. It is also seen that the government and police services provides a poor
assistance in the prevention of crime when there are many different of ways in which crime can
be prevented and/or reduced.

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 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

This research study mainly focused on its objectives where an investigation into crime in the
areas of Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad was done. The effects of crime on the physical
and mental well being of individuals were studied. The objectives also included investigation on
ways victims can cope and protect themselves from crime together with possible ways of crime
prevention.

From information gathered it was found that there is a high degree of crime where most
individuals were victims of crime in the areas of Couva and Chaguanas. This coincides with the
findings of the United States Department of States, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. In this report
it was realised that crime in Trinidad and Tobago continues to be a serious concern, where the
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) statistics shows that although there was a slight
decrease in crime throughout the years of 2011 to 2015 there was an increase in the number of
murders committed with firearm. An article published by US media company Gazzette Review,
on the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday stated that Trinidad and Tobago is ranked seventh (7 th) in
a listing of 10 countries with the highest crime rates. Also in another article by the Trinidad and
Tobago Guardian there is a call for more police patrol in Chaguanas as crime has gotten out of
hand in this area. When research was carried out in these areas similarities were found. The
majority of the residents have experienced crime where there all said that the crime rate has
increased with majority of the different types of crime being committed. Overall it can be noted
that there is indeed a lot of crime taking place in the areas of Couva and Chaguanas, Central
Trinidad.

It was also revealed in this research that crime affects the mental and physical well being of
individuals. The book Criminology, Fet Level 3 stated that most people believe that physical
wounds are only caused by crime but crime does not only cause physical wounds, it can cause
psychological, sociological and emotional wounds as well as financial loss. The article published
by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday where Dr,
Varma Deyalsingh, secretary of the Psychiatric Association stated that the increased crime rate
created an increase in fear and anxiety as well, with victims of crime visiting him mainly for post
traumatic stress. The research carried out showed comparison to the above as many believed
that crime affects an individual mental and physical well being, as well as cause fear, anxiety,
grief and stress on them. Many also believed that physical damages caused by crime can affect
the physical functioning and daily activity of an individual, together with mental damages
caused by crime affecting the physical well being of an individual. It can be noted that crime
does indeed affect an individual mentally and physically.

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In this research the ways for reducing and preventing crime were found to be securing home,
businesses and property properly, being aware of your surroundings (for suspicious activities),
having security cameras, enforcing laws with increased fines and punishments, having greater
police patrols in communities and having community/neighbourhood watch. The ways in which
the government can help victims of crime were found to be having support groups, providing
assistance, subsidising loses, provide counselling, ensuring proper justice is given and having
more police officers in communities. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) series on
Crime and Violence in Trinidad and Tobago written by Randy Seepersad, provided programmes
whose aim is to reduce crime. The primary prevention programs targets the population in
general in order to increase protective factors and reduce risk factors. The secondary
prevention programs targets children, youth, women or families specifically identified as being
at risk of becoming victims of crime. The tertiary prevention or rehabilitation program targets
individuals who have been victims of crime and help them develop strategies and support
networks to avoid crime in the future. The suppression initiatives are those that aim to improve
the functioning of the criminal justice system and create new practices in controlling crime. All
of the ways for preventing and reducing crime found by this research coincides with the
findings of Randy Seepersad.

Overall this research presents that there is a lot of crime in the areas of Couva and Chaguanas,
Central Trinidad and with the increase in crime many can be affected both physically and
mentally. This research also found many ways to prevent and reduce crime together with help
victims of crime cope and protect themselves.

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 CONCLUSION

The main objectives addressed in this research found that crime negatively impacted the
physical and metal well being of individuals in Couva and Chaguanas, Central Trinidad. A great
deal of crime occurs in these areas where crime has significantly increased over the past years.
With this increase in crime rate it also increased the negative impacts crime has on an
individual. Many suffer from post traumatic stress together with anxiety as they live in fear. This
has lead to changes in one’s lifestyle and behaviour. Therefore, with the increase in crime and
negative effects crime imposes on an individual’s mental and physical well being, it is important
to have ways in which crime can be prevented and/or reduced. Securing home, businesses and
property properly, being aware of your surroundings, having security cameras, enforcing laws
with increased fines and punishments, having greater police patrols in communities and having
community/neighbourhood watch are all prevention methods of crime. The victims of crime
are also crucial in this study hence having support groups, providing assistance, subsidising
loses, provide counselling, ensuring proper justice is given and having more police officers in
communities are all ways in with the government can assist victims of crime to cope and
protect themselves from crime.

LIMITATIONS
 The information obtained from the questionnaires may not all be true therefore
producing inaccurate conclusions.
 The research project was confined to a sample of the total population thus not giving a
true representation of the entire population being studied.
 In-depth researches as well as extended time observations were not conducted due to
limited time.
 More expensive forms of research were not conducted due to limited finances and time.

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RECOMMENDATIONS
 This study could be conducted over a long period of time to find trends and thus
allowing the results to be more accurate.
 Government could assistance in making individuals feel safer by having more police
officers on the streets and communities.
 Government could enforce more stern laws and punishment for those who are involved
in criminal activities.
 Individuals could try their best in securing their properties and having security cameras
at their homes, businesses, etc.
 Public education about the increase in crime and ways to prevent and secure oneself
from crime could be implemented.
 Education programs at schools and institutes about safety and protecting oneself from
crime could be implemented.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Websites:

 https://books.google.tt/books?id=JupU21BctBgC&pg=PA70&dq=effects+of+crime+on+s
ociety&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiWmrakhsXRAhVLSiYKHRhMBK0Q6AEIKjAD#v=onep
age&q&f=false
Google Books - FCS Criminology L3.

 https://publications.iadb.org/bitstream/handle/11319/7772/Crime-and-Violence-in-
Trinidad-and-Tobago-IDB-Series-on-Crime-and-Violence-in-the-
Caribbean.pdf?sequence=4
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - Crime and Violence in Trinidad and Tobago,
June 2016.

 https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=19522
The United States Department of States, Bureau of Diplomatic Security (OSAC) –
Trinidad and Tobago 2016 Crime & Safety Report.

 http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-05-16/call-more-police-patrols-chaguanas
Trinidad and Tobago Guardian - Call for more police patrols in Chaguanas, May 17 th
2016.

 http://newsday.co.tt/features/0,218278.html
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday - Is TT mentally healthy? October 10th 2015.

 http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,229473.html
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday - TT ranks 7th in countries with highest crime rate, June
20th 2016.

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Books:

 Caribbean Studies for CAPE Examinations.

An Interdisciplinary Approach.
Jeniffer Mohammed.
Macmillan Limited 2007.

 CAPE Sociology Units 1 & 2

Carlton Chinapoo, Norman James, Maureen Lee-Paisley.
Pearson Education Limited 2014.

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 APPENDICES

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