What can and should be done about crime in the Caribbean?

Judging from some recent headlines, violent acts are increasing with regularity and apparent impunity – in some cases becoming even more gruesome.

Much of this is gang and drugs related, and no country appears to be immune from this predicament.

What can and should be done about this situation?

Some high (or low) points:

Regional: The Caricom Secretary General, Dr Edwin Carrington, recently declared that grappling with the upsurge in violent crime in the region is an urgent matter.

Trinidad: The government is considering permitting videotaped testimonies in trials to try to prevent the collapse of murder cases because frightened witnesses change their initial evidence. Estimates of gang-related murders in the county range between 60 and 80 percent.

Guyana: There’s been widespread criticism of the security forces in Guyana after allegations that police there tortured two murder suspects.

Jamaica: The Police Commissioner has resigned after failing to rein in violent crime in Jamaica. Police statistics show that more than 1,300 people have been murdered so far this year. Recently, a group of business owners formed their own security force saying the police weren't doing enough to tackle crime.

Rest of the region: The picture is equally dismal.

What’s driving this crime wave?
Is the Caribbean in danger of losing the battle against crime?
Are tougher measures needed?
Is more external assistance the answer?
Is this a task for the police alone?
Are governments overwhelmed by the situation?
Are you fearful?

Please keep comments brief and to the point

The leaders are the problem. I remember the days when the PM(prime minister) use to walk the street without any bodyguard. Now, this current PM have three trucks to take him around.
Cliff
Queens, U S A

The crime situation in the Caribbean is really a problem. What is the cause? Well, the answer is varied based on the country. However, in my opinion, the most obvious cause is the break down of morals, moreso God's Moral Standard. We in the Caribbean are proud to say that we are God Loving and God Fearing people. However, does this appear so? Only when it is convenient to say that our region or various countries were founded on the belief in. The people of the region seem to like to put the blame on other people or things rather than themselves. This attitude has also been adopted by the various Governments; blaming the opposition or some other person or persons or country. There is no room for accepting blame. It is the Government's duty to protect its people. It is time for the Governments in the region take security very seriously and put in the resources. Yes, tourism and other investments are important, but if security is provided then these same businesses will not come, or will leave.
Curtis
St. Kitts and Nevis

One needs tougher, direct intervention.
Clarence Nelson
Miami

Immigration and the break-up of family is the root: Granny lives in UK, Grand dad in Canada, Mummy US, Daddy…? There's no sense of belonging; children are raising children. Since independence, Jamaica has lost 50% of it population due to immigration. If it were a building with half its bricks missing, it would be condemned.
Ken
Port Antonio, Jamaica

The Caricom governments must unite and dedicate more time to this spiralling problem of crime which has been crippling to the Caribbean economy. Guns are now trafficked by sea and special attention and resource must be deployed in this area to stop this trade. The exchange of drugs for gun trade is becoming more prominent and has become a huge financial gain in the Caribbean, and this is where the root of the problem lies, hence the increasing crime rate.
Rob
England

The crime wave in the Caribbean evolves from a lack of good family structure, absent fathers and inept women having children with little resources to raise them properly. Also, illegal drugs and the possession of guns on the streets are increasing crimes. It is an essential task for the governments, parents, and teachers working together to eradicate these problems. Inefficient law and order in the Caribbean makes it a fearful place. The leaders of the islands should enforce stringent measures introduce training of specialist forensic policing to solve murder crimes, and imprisoning criminals for a safer region.
Annice Browne
UK

This problem of crime that we as a region is experiencing has been in the making for some time. We are only now seeing the manifestation. Solution? We need re-evaluate our value system and pass on good and wholesome values to our children. To teach the virtue of patience, hard work, self control etc. That will take care of the upcoming generation. Substract politics from policing and governmental policies and we are arming the law enforcement personnel to adequately tackle this crime epidemic.
Oliver Patrick
St. George's, Grenada

What's driving the crime wave? While it is easy to point out a positive correlation between socio-economic status and crime, our analysis should go beyond this. In many Caribbean countries, there are policies in place to provide opportunities of advancement to the poor. However, there continues to be underachievement and drop outs in the education system. As these individuals grow, the harsh realities of life sinks in, and they opt to partake in crime, not just to survive, but to live like the Jones'. So the answer quite naturally, is that our mindsets are fueling this wave. Our societies are subdued by moral decay; people want things the quick and easy way. This must stop now.
Trelson Mapp
St Vincent and Grenadines

Crime has become a scourge in the Caribbean, and for the smaller islands it has now become a challenge. If Caribbean governments don't start getting a handle on this situation, it will eventually overtake every aspect of day to day living. I was born in St. Vincent, and the weekly drum beat coming out of that island now is all about crime. Pretty soon no one is going to be interested in going on vacation. We can stay right where we are because there are just as many crimes being committed in the industrialized nations. Imitation is the best form of flattery, and the Caribbean is now paying the price.
Rose
USA

First of all, I must say that a lot of the blame for crime should rest on the head and shoulders of politicians, and I will say this loud and clear. I will say this to every Caribbean Government that until they clean up their acts then you will see a great decrease in crime and stop wasting all that money you’re spending to say you solving it cause when there is no free school for the poor to go to and the poor are not treated as last class citizen they would not have the cause to commit crime -and this is a fact cause we sing it in our music every day and you know what they hear it and play they do not understand not a thing we say.
So I am putting the challenge out there who disagree with me to give a better advice and show me also how they can curb crime. I also have this to say that when these western countries stop sending back all these criminals that their system make, back to us, then also we will be better.
So, Caribbean leaders stand up against these western leaders and say enough is enough!
Andy Medas-King
Brooklyn, USA

We are in danger of losing the battle against crime. So this brings the question, are tougher measures needed? Some may say yes, but again I must add that sanctions aren't always deterrents to crime. Once a person's mind is set to commit crime, he/she would commit crime, especially if he/she feels that their plan is foolproof. External assistance may help to some degree, bearing in mind that we would be accepting assistance from advanced countries who cannot even solve their own problems. The task is not on the police alone. We all have to come together to tackle this problem. The onus is on us to educate the youths from a young age, guiding them, being proper role models and showing them that there is still hope, showing them that one can achieve, by dedication and hard work. Even if they are not academically inclined, everyone has at least one talent. We just have to search for it. Each one of us can be an asset to our society.
Trelson Mapp
St Vincent and Grenadines