By Steve Thomas
Observer Nevis Editor
(Charlestown, Nevis) – A new report from a group comprised of the U.S. businesses and the Department of State is critical of law enforcement operations in the Eastern Caribbean.
While the report states that American tourists are at no greater risks than other nationals visiting the region, it says that American residents in the Eastern Caribbean do not receive the same level of police protection accorded to those visiting tourist areas.
The “Barbados and Eastern Caribbean 2008 Crime & Safety Report” was issued on April 22 by the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
The report covers St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Martinique (French Antilles), Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin (French/Dutch), Saint Vincent and Grenadines.
According to its Web site, “the Overseas Security Advisory Council is a Federal Advisory Committee with a U.S. Government Charter to promote security cooperation between American business and private sector interests worldwide and the U.S. Department of State . . .In 1985, a handful of chief executive officers from prominent American companies met with then Secretary of State George P. Shultz to promote cooperation between the American private sector worldwide and the U.S. Government on security issues. The subsequent establishment of the OSAC has developed into an enormously successful joint venture. Today over 3,500 U.S. companies, educational institutions, religious and non-governmental organizations are constituents of OSAC.”
The section of the report, “Overall Crime and Safety Situation,” offers the following observations:
“American citizen tourists visiting anywhere in the Eastern Caribbean are not targeted for crime to a greater degree than other foreigners. American citizens who reside in the Eastern Caribbean region and live on local economies do not always enjoy the same level of the police protection that regional governments provide to tourists who frequent a more narrow set of tourist areas. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies. Resident American citizens are reporting non-confrontational property crimes in higher numbers and there is a growing perception that violent crime is increasing.
“Commonly, resorts, hotels, and other businesses that cater to American tourists provide walled-in compounds with access controls, private security staffs that conduct background checks on resort employees, and hired drivers and safe transportation for their guests. Also, local governments tend to provide a higher level of uniformed police presence in residential and business areas frequented by tourists. Police stations and police outposts are strategically located in those areas (specifically in Barbados).
“In comparison to large metropolitan police departments in the United States, Eastern Caribbean police forces lack vigor, they suffer from a lack of resources and training, and are inconsistent in the level and quality of services provided to the general public and tourism sectors. This is not to suggest that police commissioners and senior police administrators lack education and experience, quite the contrary. It is, however, accurate to say that almost all Eastern Caribbean police forces are under-funded, under-staffed, and ill equipped to meet the growing challenges of the post-9/11 world.”
It later states:
“The following general characterization of crime and public safety environments apply throughout the Eastern Caribbean. Generally, criminal individuals or groups are free to roam day or night with few restrictions; burglars and thieves target residential and lower-end hotel and resort areas for opportunistic crimes. Burglars and thieves typically rely on stealth to meet their objectives, but since 2002, reports reflect an increasing use of knives and handguns in the commission of crimes. Further, high-traffic business areas commonly frequented by tourists are targeted for opportunistic street crimes like purse snatching and pick-pocketing. Perpetrators committing street crimes in the public eye can become confrontational, but mostly they avoid gratuitous violence, which draws attention to them.
“Generally, numbers of uniformed police are inadequate to have a substantial influence on crime deterrence and uniformed police response to alarms or emergency calls is often too slow (15 minutes or longer) to disrupt crimes in progress. Police performance and conduct varies from poor to acceptable in professionalism and training, and regional police organizations have definite resource and manpower limitations that inhibit their deterrence and response effectiveness.”
The report says the region has little political violence and has some words of encouragement for Americans wanting to do business in the area:
“American citizens and American-owned businesses in the Eastern Caribbean have not been the focus of terrorist actions or political violence. Today, violent public protests and demonstrations are non-existent. Peaceful protests are only rarely directed at Americans or American-owned businesses.”
It should be noted the report does not include Haiti, the scene of recent riots sparked by rising food prices.
The section on “Narcoterrorism and Narco Violence” states the following about St. Kitts and Nevis: “In 2006, two police officers were shot on routine patrol aimed at controlling marijuana growth. One police officer was killed and the other was injured. The two subjects of the shooting were arrested and are currently in jail awaiting trial. St. Kitts reports an increase of guns being smuggled into St. Kitts and Nevis via fishing vessels, resulting in an increase in gun related crimes such as murders and robberies.”
Under the “Illegal Drugs” section, OSAC has nothing good to report: “Throughout the Caribbean region, tourists have reported being harassed by individuals attempting to sell illegal narcotics. Marijuana and cocaine are readily available within the Eastern Caribbean. All Eastern Caribbean nations and territories enforce laws prohibiting the purchase, possession, transportation, sale, or use of illegal substances. Regardless of nationality, violators will be placed under arrest and held for trial if bail is not paid. Convictions carry fines and jail time.”
The portion on “Police Response” has mixed findings: “Eastern Caribbean uniformed police forces lack the necessary resources to provide a consistent and timely police response. The level of professionalism and quality of service can vary from island to island and the level of protection is directly proportional to its impact on the tourist trade. Areas frequented by tourists command a more visible police presence than other parts of the islands. Police response in these areas is usually timely and efficient, but response delays to the non-tourist, less populated, and rural areas of the islands can be significant.”
The report does offer some ideas on “How to Avoid Becoming a Victim:”
“In the Eastern Caribbean, foot travel outside of well-established tourist areas is not recommended, especially alone or at night. Be vigilant when using public telephones or ATM machines, especially those located near roadsides or in secluded areas. As in many U.S. metropolitan areas, wearing expensive jewelry, carrying expensive objects, or carrying large amounts of cash should be avoided. While at the beach, visitors should safeguard valuables. Although hotels and resorts are generally safe, many visitors have experienced the loss of unattended items. Hotel burglaries both day and night are not uncommon and all valuables should be locked in room safes when possible. Keep doors and windows locked, especially at night. Most nighttime burglaries of occupied hotel rooms occur while the victims are asleep. Suspects commonly enter through open or unlocked doors or windows.
“Another common concern is visitor harassment. Over-zealous merchants will offer a variety of legal and illegal items for sale, and visitors should use caution in dealing with them. The harassment rarely turns violent.”
The entire report can be found at https://www.osac.gov/
