(de Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO – It may not yet be the case in Suriname, but in other Caribbean countries there is cause for concern about crime, says Assistant Secretary General of the OAS Albert Ramdin. He urges Suriname to stay alert to avoid the Caribbean trend from settling in. Several countries in the Caribbean report an increase of drugs trafficking, crime, youth gangs and murders. Youngsters are increasingly involved in drugs trafficking. There also seems to be a development of arms imports from criminal activities in the Caribbean, the deputy OAS chair says, referring to Trinidad that had to impose a curfew last year to curb crime. ‘Far reaching operations to fight crime and increasing police alertness,’ are among the first actions to be taken by Suriname,’ advises Ramdin. Border patrols have to be tightened, but youths must also be kept off the street by giving them opportunities to build a future. More employment must be created. Ramdin says that education and employment are the best guarantees to keep youngsters from ending up in crime. He argues that crime and lack of safety may enormously influence economic activities in mainly small countries. Safety, democracy and political stability are essential for economic growth of a country.
