THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE HEARTS AND MINDS PROGRAMME AS A COMPONENT OF HOT SPOT POLICING ON COMMUNITIES IN LAVENTILLE, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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Wendell C. Wallace

Abstract

Anthony Braga notes that policing of hot spots has become a very popular way for police departments to prevent crime. This has impacted policing in Trinidad and Tobago as police resources are disproportionately expended to police in the Laventille district via increased patrols, sustained investigations on repeat offenders and arrests. The study assessed the social impacts of the Hearts and Minds programme as a component of hot spot policing on residents in Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago. The research was conducted via survey questionnaires to randomly selected personnel of the Inter-Agency Task Force of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as well as unstructured interviews and survey questionnaires to randomly selected Laventille residents. The findings indicated that a large number of individuals were unaware of the programme; however, those who were aware of its operations have become more accepting of the police, have seen positive social benefits of the programme and support the programme.

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