Four Caribbean countries where visitors need to take extra caution
By Nduta Waweru From Face2Face Africa
The Caribbean and Latin America have one of the highest insecurity levels according to the recently released Law and Order Index.
The Index, annually generated by Gallup, indicated that crime rates in this region dropped from 64 points in 2016 to 62 points in 2017.
The report sought to find out whether individuals in these countries felt safe walking at night; whether they trust the police; and whether they have been robbed within the past year. According to the results, The Caribbean post some of the lowest percentages in all these sectors.
Here are Caribbean’s most dangerous countries:
Jamaica
Jamaica is grappling with one of the highest murder cases in the world. A total of 1,616 murders were recorded in 2017, partly due to security forces crackdown on gangs and decentralisation process which distributed crime across the country.
Not so many people trust in the police, leading to law enforcement officers being urged to improve their trust with people by ensuring public order.
Trinidad and Tobago
Crime in Trinidad and Tobago increased in 2017, earning it the fourth spot in the Caribbean with 68 points on the Law and Order Index.
According to local news outlets, the people of the island nation would rather trust gangster than police officers. The Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), David West, termed the police as the ‘biggest gang’ operating in the country.
Among the top crimes are murder, robberies, assault, and fraud, including cybercrime that saw citizens lose about $14m.
Haiti
In Haiti, which ranked second with 68 points, some of the most common crimes include robberies, kidnapping and murder.
Some of the concerns the Haiti police have raised in relation to crime is the harbouring of criminals by family, according to local news outlets.
In its travel advisory to Haiti, the U.S warned its citizens of violent crimes.
Violent crime, such as armed robbery, is common. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents or emergencies. Protests, tire burning, and road blockages are frequent and often spontaneous.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is the most dangerous country in the Caribbean with 60 points, and eighth most dangerous after Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Gabon, Liberia, South Africa and Mexico.
The country grapples with drug crimes, theft and homicide, with 1198 murdercases reported in the first half of 2017. Reports link the increasing levels of homicide to the gangs working around the Caribbean including in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
The murder of women in the country has also been on the rise, with 43 cases reported in June 2017 alone.
IMAGE: Photo: Wiki CC
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