NEW CRIME FEAR BY SMALL BUSINESS

THE cold-blooded murder of policeman Dale Mayers in a Longdenville bar has awakened new fears by small business people over the threat of crime.

Mayers’ killing is in addition to a spate of shootings and robberies at community business places, which generally do not have the security protection of large operations.

In recent months, some businesses have also suffered arson and there has been a reported spike in extortions.

Members of small business organisations are engaged in consultations over the crime scourge, an official of one body confirmed.

They are discussing possible increased security measures, including CCTV cameras, shorter opening hours, protection for employees and other related matters.

They are also talking about applications for firearms user’s licences.

“We are looking for solutions to keep our businesses alive,” an official of a Central Trinidad commerce organisation stated.

He said that operating costs continue to increase while the public’s purchasing power has declined over the years.

A representative of a South-based business body said: “We are working with the police but there are jitters among our ranks because of the persistent crimes.

“Our employees are also worried for their safety.”

He stated that business proprietors are fortifying their premises “but, at the end of the day, we have to interact with the people; that is the nature of what we do.”

The crime plague has increased woes to the small and business enterprises sector, following the impact of the mandatory Covid-19 shutdown.

Before the Covid-19 epidemic, there were some 20,000 small and medium businesses, accounting for about 85 per cent of all commercial enterprises in Trinidad and Tobago.

Altogether, they contributed some 40 per cent of the gross domestic product and employed more than 60 per cent of the national workforce.

A number of such traders have since gone out of business, affecting employment.

Some have migrated with their respective families.

Officials of the business groups admitted to being wary of speaking publicly about crime for fear of reprisals from the authorities and being targeted by criminals.

But they worry that the sector may be endangered.

“We are working within ourselves,” the Central Trinidad official stated, “because we are determined to stay alive.

“But it appears that the forces are against us.”

He expressed anxiety over the extortionists imposing “taxes” upon some business people.

Extortionists have reportedly threatened the welfare of the business people’s respective families.

The merchants voiced disappointment that Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher has not delivered on the promise made last year of reducing the number of crimes.

At a meeting with the Chaguanas Chamber, Harewood-Christopher identified 15 areas targeted by the police service.

At the start of 2024, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce noted that the increased cost of doing business is passed onto consumers.

The Chamber noted that crime heavily impacts the retail sector.

Small businesses are also affected by inadequate foreign exchange.

There have been repeated appeals for equity in the availability for forex to that sector.

Business group officials also pointed to the slow processing time at the Customs and Excise Department.