President Irfaan Ali today warned that criminal elements can overrun the Caribbean region if there is no co-ordination and co-operation among regional law enforcement agencies.

Speaking at the opening of the 39th Annual Meeting and Conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police this morning, the President said the Region continues to face great difficulties in its homicide rate, assault and threats, illegal firearms, and gang and drug related violence.

“I must say clear and honestly, if we fail to deepen our corporation as a region, if we remain silo in our responses than we will be overrun, not by the criminals within our borders by those who know no borders at all. Let us not pretend otherwise, the region is not immune to the currents of globalization, the same openness that allows our people to travel and trade and communicate across borders, is the same openness that criminal network exploits,” the President stated.

In addition, the President said the Caribbean continues to face issues of an overburdened justice system and Police services that are in need reform, restructuring and investments. 

But he said the crime problem in the region must be arrested as it has the potential to bring democracy to its knees.

“Make no mistake, criminal gangs pose a direct threat to democratic systems of government, those who are interested in undemocratic ways or who are accustomed of breaking the law or the rule of law, they don’t see this threat, but gangs, pose a direct threat to a democratic system, they undermine the rule by corrupting institutions and instilling fear,” the President noted.

According to the President, given the gravity of the threats facing the Caribbean, regional security can no longer be addressed in isolation, or within the confines of national borders. He said the security challenges facing the region demand regional solutions.

“These threats, do not begin and end on our shores, they move swiftly and silently across jurisdictions and each time they do, they grow stronger, more sophisticated and more deeply embedded in the region, what affects one of us today, can affect all of us tomorrow,’ the President noted.

He also noted that the Caribbean region must be on top of its game and not play catch-up because the stakes are high.

The President said while Police Forces in the region have their challenges, accountability must also be demanded.

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