Restoring citizen security essential

CITIZEN insecurity is a multi-dimensional problem requiring co-ordinated effort at many levels to restore the public’s confidence and feelings of security.

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

He pointed out that at the national level, the government, the private sector, labour, civil society, and the police must work closely to design and implement more comprehensive approaches to crime control and prevention.

“But crime has morphed into a global creature that transcends national borders. The power and wealth of the international crime syndicates with which domestic organised crime is now in partnership makes it difficult to overcome.

“Responding to this dilemma calls for a co-ordinated, strategic approach at the regional and global levels. CARICOM partners can leverage their limited resources by better sharing intelligence and exchanging lessons from experience,” he indicated.

The CDB head further acknowledged that partnerships should be cemented with civil society groups which monitor the activities of gangs and organised crime.

“Professional bodies, like yours, can also do their part by forging alliances with other regional and international associations, and by so doing, enrich the dialogue surrounding crime, citizen insecurity and criminal justice practices,” he expressed. (TL)