86 Gangs. 1,720 members
Security Minister Martin Joseph stated that there were now 86 gangs, comprising up to 1,720 members across the country. He said the average size of each gang varied between 15 to 20 members, which meant that the total membership was between 1,300 to 1,720 persons. Criminal gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are multiplying and fast, both in terms of the numbers of gangs and the numbers of persons joining gangs. The activity is leaving one with inescapable conclusion that the society is now under greater threat. The situation has deteriorated considerably over the past 18 months. The last time Joseph gave a head count, he told the House of Representatives on June 6, 2005, that there were some "500 hardcore members" in the "66 known gangs". Yesterday's figures therefore represent an over 340 per cent increase in the membership of gangs and a 30 per cent increase in the numbers of gangs. Joseph said the reason for the proliferation was because "splinter groups were ...