Safety first: Smarter asset protection in Trinidad and Tobago

Vehicle theft remains a significant challenge in many regions, with certain hotspots experiencing high rates of thefts and hijackings. Telematics service providers (TSPs) play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by offering technologies that enhance asset recovery, improve safety, and mitigate risks for fleet operators and individual vehicle owners. Read this article to explore how the Navixy platform helps TSPs prevent vehicle theft.

Global data confirms that vehicle theft remains a significant challenge in many regions.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, vehicle thefts rose sharply from 16,427 incidents between January and September 2023 to 21,251 during the same period in 2024, marking a 29% increase.
In Mexico, an average of 168 vehicles are stolen daily, totaling approximately 61,300 annually. Only 41.4% of stolen insured vehicles were recovered between October 2023 and September 2024, according to the Mexican Association of Insurance Companies (AMIS).
In South Africa, from April to June 2024, 8,611 vehicles were reported stolen across the country’s nine provinces, averaging 96 vehicles per day.

These figures highlight the ongoing importance of equipping fleet operators and individual vehicle owners with robust tracking and recovery tools. One of our partners, whose primary focus is asset protection, shared their experience of leveraging Navixy for security purposes.

Want to learn how Navixy can help protect your assets and fleet? Schedule a free session with our expert.

About Air Support Tactical

Dirk Barnes, founder and owner of Air Support Tactical, leads a protective service agency in Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 2016, the company has grown into the island’s largest provider of asset protection services. In 2024, Air Support Tactical adopted Navixy’s telematics platform, managing 1,250 devices—a number that continues to grow.

Operating under special approval from the Ministry of National Security and the Supplemental Police Act, Air Support Tactical provides policing capabilities alongside its asset recovery expertise. Unlike most private protective services, which focus on personal safety, Air Support Tactical specializes in asset recovery, achieving a remarkable 100% recovery rate with over 1,000 successful cases to date.

Air Support Tactical team

Recovered Asset

Recovered asset

Unmatched success in vehicle theft recovery

It’s important to note that 90% of private protective services focus on personal safety, whereas Air Support Tactical operates within the remaining 10%, concentrating exclusively on asset recovery. They monitor and provide response services for homes, retail businesses, vehicles, vessels, equipment, generators, water pumps, and more.

Dirk’s team boasts a staggering 100% recovery rate, with over 1,000 recoveries to this date. In many cases, stolen vehicles are used for additional criminal activities, making swift recovery crucial.

Navixy features for fleet safety

Air Support Tactical leverages Navixy’s cutting-edge features to stay ahead of threats:

Geofence alerts: Real-time notifications when vehicles enter or exit high-risk areas allow the team to proactively address potential carjackings.

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The company’s in-house investigation team uses data to predict high-risk zones and times, sharing insights with clients to prevent incidents before they occur. This proactive approach has significantly reduced hijacking incidents for customers.

“It’s important to provide the statistics to customers in advance so they can avoid these areas and stay safe”.

Dirk Barnes, the founder of Air Support Tactical

The partner observed that many hijackings can be prevented by using Navixy's geofence alerts based on expected/unexpected times. This feature enables Air-Support Tactical to anticipate potential carjacking and determine whether a vehicle is being driven by its owner or a criminal.

Vacation protocol: Alerts for unauthorized use outside predefined times provide added layers of security.

Customer geofences monitored

On top of utilizing geofences for this purpose, they also employ them as part of a vacation protocol to further prevent unauthorized drivers from operating the vehicle during times when the owner is unlikely to be behind the wheel.

Double tracking: For vehicles without encrypted keys, Barnes recommends installing two tracking devices—one concealed for added protection.
Anti-jamming devices: By using Navixy alerts, Dirk's team stays informed about vehicle break-ins, tracker removals, and other security threats. Anti-jamming trackers, such as the AMGPS G-1000 and Ruptela FM-Eco4 Light, protect vehicles against signal interference attempts, ensuring continuous monitoring.

Act proactively to stay safe in extreme situations

With two decades of military experience, Dirk leads his team with unmatched expertise, selecting only highly trained former military personnel for tactical recovery operations. In any situation, the top priority is safeguarding the lives of asset owners. Victims of carjackings are strongly encouraged to comply with criminals' demands and entrust the recovery process to trained professionals.

How video telematics helps to enhance driver safety and cargo security in LATAM? Learn more in our blog post.

Conclusion: Protect what matters by elevating asset security with Navixy

By combining tactical expertise with Navixy’s advanced telematics features, Air Support Tactical delivers unmatched results in asset recovery and client safety. Their forward-thinking approach sets a new standard in private security and asset protection.