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According to a new report by the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Crime, Violence and Development : Trends, costs and Policy Options in the Caribbean, murder rates in the Caribbean are higher than in any other region of the world, and assault rates—including rape--are significantly above the world average.
Some examples, the 5 most violent areas in the Caribbean:
Haiti - 950 murders for a population of 8,283,000 (I belive this figure is pretty stable)
Dominican Republic - 2,403 murders for a population of 9,183,984 (I belive this figure is only growing)
Puerto Rico - 766 murders for a population of 3.8 million (Down from 1,000 murders a year in 1994 but now rising again)
Trinidad and Tobago - 384 murders for a population of 1.1 million (I belive this figure is only growing)
Jamaica - 1,669 murders for a population of 2,732,000 (Highest murder rate in the world for a nation)
Very interesting thread - you learn something every day! One would think that living in a tropical paradise would be a deterrent from violent crime - whooda thunk it?
I'm from Puerto Rico, and well, I have to admit that it is bad. But I never felt unsafe, because the truth is, most of the people getting killed are either drug dealers or like we say "pegaron cuernos" (affairs while in a relationship), a lot of partners get killed because of this second reason and jealousy or people just giving attitude to each other (yes, stupidity...). Of course you always get the thieves and such but then again, they're everywhere.
So if you ever go to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as long as you don't have anything to do with this kind of people I think you should be fine, but of course take the same precautions you would in any large city, use common sense, and be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Hello... I don't know about violent crime BUT, theft is HUGE! We travel a lot and have been to numerous places in the carribean. EVERY time we go there they manage to creatively get away with something from us. The worst though, and the reason I'm writing is to get it out there how dastardly they are.
Our last trip to Curacao and Aruba cost us more than we spent ourselves.
The resturants or merchants are now selling your credit card numbers to front companys (they are even making card copies!) and maxing out your card limit before you even get home from your trip. USAA military banking has been hit hard recently. If you go to the carribean, call your bank and let them know so, they can flag any high charges before they rack up your card. UGH... They took ours for $20,000. Most cards are insured which is why we use it traveling but ultimately we all pay for it. The Carribean is beautiful, no doubt. But, I think the next time I go back would only be to watch a hanging. Investigations are underway and I'm hopeful they find this ring.
Very interesting thread - you learn something every day! One would think that living in a tropical paradise would be a deterrent from violent crime - whooda thunk it?
I've heard Mexico is safer than the Caribbean, they have special tourist police in certain areas. I thought South Africa has the highest crime followed by Colombia, Russia, and some Central American countries.
And about these stats, I guess its not technically a "murder" when an Iraqi death squad drags someone into the street and shoots them or when a Palestinian decides to see Allah.
I think most sensible people would agree Haiti is actually the most dangerous country in the region - the murder rate isn't taken seriously and there's no way it's safer than Jamaica. The Caribbean is also very small in population and the murder rate is artificially high because of this. My pick would be sub-Saharan Africa or Iraq/Afghanistan, then Latin America (excluding the Caribbean).
I think most sensible people would agree Haiti is actually the most dangerous country in the region - the murder rate isn't taken seriously and there's no way it's safer than Jamaica. The Caribbean is also very small in population and the murder rate is artificially high because of this. My pick would be sub-Saharan Africa or Iraq/Afghanistan, then Latin America (excluding the Caribbean).
This is so true.
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Carribean Crime...
