Caribbean crime

In an effort to reduce a growing homicide rate, the prime minister of St. Lucia says he won’t hesitate to hang murderers. St. Lucia has experienced 17 murders this year, double the number at the same time last year.

Violent crimes don’t typically reach into the tourist community, but increasing crime rates do seem to be a distrubing trend across the Caribbean.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who has responsibility in the quasi-Cabinet of CARICOM for crime and security, admitted that the profile of crime and security in the Caribbean has changed significantly over the last two decades.

“Today the trafficking and proliferation of illegal firearms, the emergence of new forms of crime, cyber attacks on financial institutions, and the threat of terrorism dictate that we address crime as a major concern for the region,” he said.

Manning said he is fearful that over the next three years, the potential for further criminal and security threats could emerge, as the Caribbean moves towards establishing its own single market and economy, the possible emergence of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and the hosting of the Cricket World Cup in 2007.