Trinidad and Tobago
Murders last year: 405
Murder rate per 100,000: 30
Change since 2012: Up six per cent
It's been a bad year here for murders. We know the sad stories. What's happening elsewhere? The murder stats below are from media sources.
Belize
Murders last year: 99
Murder rate per 100,000: 31
Change since 2012: Down 32 per cent
In 2012, Belize had a per-capita murder rate higher than Jamaica's. Last year started with a January 8 massacre; four members of the hardcore George Street gang were knifed during the dead of night.Then the tide turned. The body count for 2013 was down one-third. What went right?Some give credit to the new police commissioner Allen Whyllie, installed one day after the Dean Street killings. He is low on charisma, but reportedly strong on admin; Belize City now operates precinct-based policing.
Meanwhile, some contractors with government work have gone labour-intensive and equipment-light. That means jobs for young unemployed from areas like Ghost Town in Belize City.This is hard physical work. Cisco Construction employs 200 men spreading clay landfill for the new Lake I Boulevard. They are paid by the truckload, not the hour. Says supervisor Allan Garbutt: "These guys, they really want to work. Even in this hot sun."
"Dadda-D" Baptist of the Bravo team told Channel Seven TV: "It has to be unity, for us to work together...Out here is to make your money, and make sure Friday, when the evening set, you have a cold one in your hand."
http://www.guardian.co.tt/digital/new-members