Crime Against Caribbean Travelers: Should You Believe the Hype?

Since the 1980s, the Caribbean region has been struggling
against its own inner demon: crime. Citizens of the Caribbean
have quickly learned that rising crime rates on one island can
negatively affect other islands in the vicinity. While the
islands still offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the
world, travelers can sometimes feel insecure about their
surroundings, making relaxation more of a challenge.

Several recent news stories about crimes in the Caribbean,
including the highly covered disappearance of Alabama teenager
Natalee Holloway, have reignited the debate over how to keep the
islands safe for travelers. Concern for safety has even inspired
a conference in late October, the second Caribbean Conference on
Crime and Criminal Justice, and a statement by the Caribbean
Commissioners of Police about ways travelers can stay safe.
These efforts are visible steps officials are taking to help
travelers feel more secure about their vacations, especially as
the Caribbean\'s tourist season approaches.

Studying Crimes

One of the biggest problems in studying crime among the islands
has been that, until recently, few efforts had been made to
distinguish crime against island residents from crime against
visitors. Obtaining clear and specific crime data has become an
important step toward fighting crime in the islands, and newer
studies have revealed that violent crimes against vacationers in
the Caribbean islands are indeed rare occurrences. While
Jamaica, for example, may be known for its high murder rates,
the vast majority of murders are crimes by Jamaican nationals
against Jamaican nationals.

Vacationers planning a trip to the islands are more likely to
encounter petty theft and other nonviolent crimes than anything
else. However, as recent events have shown, this is not a
certainty. Some believe that areas inundated with tourists have
higher crime rates against tourists because there are as many
visitors as residents, while others believe that the relaxed
attitude of most travelers is the main contributing factor in
these crimes. Although there are several different theories
about this, one thing is certain - travelers who take
precautions generally do not experience such problems during
their stay.

Staying Safe

The best way to be safe during Caribbean travel is to avoid
making the mistakes most vacationers make - just because you\'re
on vacation doesn\'t mean you shouldn\'t be cautious. Leaving
doors unlocked, leaving valuables in plain view in a hotel room
or rental car, displaying too much wealth, and wearing flashy
jewelry are all ways to attract thieves. Remember that you are
far from home, and replacing valuables, such as a stolen wallet,
will be even more difficult. Take the same precautions you would
take at home or in any big city to avoid losing important items.

Another way travelers can stumble upon trouble is by walking
into \bad\ areas of town. It\'s common sense to avoid walking
down a dark alley in most cities, but vacationers may not always
recognize a part of town that locals know to avoid. If an area
makes you feel uneasy, or would make you feel uneasy at home,
it\'s probably best to avoid that area, especially at night.
Women particularly should take extra precautions at night and
avoid walking alone.

While some believe that tourist-heavy areas inspire more crimes
against tourists, these areas have established more rigid
security measures to help travelers stay safe. It is difficult
to determine whether these areas are more or less safe than any
other location. However, one certainty is that most travelers to
the Caribbean have never experienced any sort of crime.

Travelers who return year after year to experience all the
Caribbean offers rarely tell stories of vacations turning into
horrible experiences. So with just a bit of caution in mind,
it\'s still safe to relax on a Caribbean vacation while the
island governments work to put a stop to the troubles that can
keep travelers from their shores.