AN INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK report on crime and violence in Barbados says the island has one of the lowest murder rates in the Caribbean.
The rate of 11 per 100 000 is lower than that of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas.
But after recording 31 murders in 2015, the highest in a decade, this is small consolation, especially since the island remains almost totally dependent on tourism.
Here are some of the views of online readers.
Cynthia Taitt: Every murder is one too many and these statistics provide nothing to be proud of.
Geoquip: May I remind Bajans that as late as ‘1999-2000, Trinidad & Tobago’s murder rate was lower than Barbados’ at about 6.6/100 000 and consistently lower in the preceding decades also. Although currently not a “bad” rate when you look around, but if Barbados is pleased with this, may I also remind Bajans that Barbados’ rate is 3-5 times higher than the rates of the countries of most of their beloved visitors. Now is the time to nip it in the bud and your work has just begun. These feel-good comparisons do nothing for those being killed and for Bim’s reputation as a gun-down island.
Aloenso: A murder rate of 11 is nothing to brag about. In Antigua and Barbuda last year the murder rate was 5.5. But going around and comparing ourselves to this island or that island is no help to anyone. The rate of 11 in Barbados would be considered outrageous in Antigua, like it was some years ago and likewise the 5.5 in Antigua may be outrageous somewhere else. Let us all work to make our islands truly great places to live and not get carried away with stats.
Bryan Preville: That’s nothing to gloat about because every murder is one too many.
David Gill: I imagine that statistics are little comfort when you lose a family member to the increasing gun violence. I also imagine that those same statistics are no comfort when bullets are flying around outside and through your house and you and your family have to be hugging the floor; or you are too scared to sit down outside on a hot day to get a little breeze because you might catch something not meant for you.
Diana Braithwaite: One murder is too many. There is an increasing trend of gun crime. Give it time and Barbados will be up there with other places with a high murder rate per capita.
• Sherrylyn Toppin is The Nation’s Online Editor.
