Crime, violence creating feelings of insecurity across region

ALL evidence now points to crime and violence threatening the well-being and creating feelings of insecurity among Caribbean citizens.

This is according to President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Warren Smith, who was speaking at the recent Caribbean Commissioners of Police Inter-Sessional Meeting held at Divi Southwinds.

“The region accounts for only 8.5 per cent of the world’s population, but an estimated 27 per cent of the world’s homicides. Overall, homicide rates are 34 per cent higher and robbery rates are 26 per cent greater than in countries with comparable macro-economic conditions.

“New forms of criminality, including organised drug trafficking, gang-related violence, kidnapping and corruption have emerged. With advances in technology, the incidences of cyber-crimes are also increasing. Just recently, we learnt that customers of a number of banking institutions in this
region had become victims of an international ATM banking fraud. Also assault rates, especially against women, are significantly above the world average. Three of the top ten recorded rape rates in the world occur right here in the Caribbean,” he disclosed in his address on “Citizen Insecurity – a Regional Dilemma Requiring a Collective Solution”.

Focus on youth

Dr. Smith also alluded to the need for attention to be paid to the special circumstances of young people. He indicated that this demographic represents a major development for our region.

“An estimated 64 per cent of CARICOM’s population is under 30 years old. The statistics also point to low labour force participation rates. Large numbers fall within the ranks of the long-term unemployed; are poorly educated; and are trapped in low or semi-skilled jobs.

“These conditions increase the propensity for crime against the region’s youth.

The solution, no doubt, must provide for training and education, which will empower them to make good choices for themselves, and improve their chances of escaping poverty, and avoiding a life of crime.”

Mix of policies needed

The CDB head went on to acknowledge that in order to create for the region’s people that desired living standard, in an environment of peace and safety, then we will need to design an effective mix of
policies that puts our people first; that places crime prevention and control of anti-social behaviours at the centre of the country’s growth and development agenda; and that supports the emergence of strong and stable communities, paying attention to the needs of our young people.

“It seems, therefore, that we can no longer behave as if public safety is the preserve of the security forces, and that crime can be controlled only by effective policing.”

Dr. Smith also applauded the efforts made to strengthen the relations between the Force and citizens through community-based policing.

“As chief law enforcement officers, you must continue to champion policing methods that rely on an appropriate blend of the traditionally coercive and the more enlightened community approaches,” he urged. (TL)