Paradise Lost? Crime in the Caribbean: A Comparison of Barbados and Jamaica

• Author: John W. King
• Pages: 430-440

430

CRIME, DELINQUENCY AND JUSTICE

Paradise Lost?

Crime in the

Caribbean:

A Comparison of

Barbados and

Jamaica1

John W. King

Nineteen

INTRODUCTION

In recent years there has been growing

concern about rising levels of crime and

violence in various Caribbean countries. This

concern has affected North American and

European tourists as they plan their getaway

tropical holidays as well as the residents of

these developing nations. Adverse publicity

about acts of violence generally and some

specific incidents targeting visitors has

created a fear around personal safety that

presents a challenge for the tourist industry.

Recent headlines in the United States (US)

and Caribbean press highlight this growing

concern. Headlines that read ‘Slaying of a

Tourist in St. Thomas Mars Image of an

“American Paradise”’ (Rohter 1994) and

‘Shooting Victims Had Long Sought

Relaxation in St. Thomas’ Warmth’ (New York

Times, January 29, 1996) indicate that

visiting our neighbours to the south carries

inherent risks.

Even in the Caribbean press incidents of

violence have become commonplace. A

major Jamaican newspaper, The Observer ran

an article titled ‘Murder-More Than The

Statistics’ (July 14, 1996) examining the

personal tragedy associated with increasing

rates of murder. At about the same time

noted Caribbean criminologist Klaus de

Albuquerque, in an article written for

Caribbean Week (a regional newspaper)

describes an incident that is becoming all

too familiar: