Monitor crime, social problems

Caribbean leaders have been warned to keep watch on the link between high crime rates and the lack of developmental and economic opportunities for the socially disadvantaged.
President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr Warren Smith, speaking at the first day of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police Inter-sessional meeting at the Divi Southwinds Resort, said evidence pointed to crime and violence as threats to the wellbeing of the Caribbean.
He said statistics showed that even though the region accounted for only 8.5 per cent of the world’s population, 27 per cent of the world’s homicides occurred in this zone.
Smith also said that overall homicide rates were 34 per cent higher and robbery rates were 26 per cent higher than in countries with comparable economic conditions.