Crime in Suriname
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This article discussescrime in Suriname.
Crime by type[edit]
Murder[edit]
In 2012,Surinamehad amurder rateof 6.1 per 100,000 population.[1]There were a total of 33 murders in Suriname in 2012.[1]
Illegal drug trade[edit]
Suriname is a transit zone forSouth Americancocaineen route toEurope,Africaand to a lesser extent theU.S.[2]Inadequate resources, limited law enforcement training, the absence of a law enforcement presence in the interior, and lack of aircraft or sufficient numbers ofpatrol boatslimit the capacity of the government to control its borders.[2]
There have been sporadic instances of drug trade-related violence between individuals associated with competingdrug traffickingorganizations.[2]These have includedassassinations,drive-by shootings,and hand grenades tossed over residential walls.[2]
Robbery[edit]
Robbery,including thefts of backpacks and purses,pickpocketing,[3]theft of jewelry (especially necklaces), and cell phones are regular occurrences.[2]These incidents often occur in those areas frequented by foreigners.[2]Tourist areas are common targets for thieves and muggers who often rob victims of their possessions during the hours of darkness.[2]Residentialburglariesare an issue.[2][3]
There have been reports of tourists and foreigners being robbed while traveling in the countryside, and occasional reports ofbanditson rural roads.[2][3]There have been reports of attacks against fishing boats in and around the waters of Suriname.[3]
By location[edit]
Paramaribo[edit]
While some areas ofParamariboare safer than others, there are no areas that can be considered completely safe.[2]Criminals move without restriction into and out of neighborhoods whereexpatriateslive, often utilizing scooters or motorcycles to evade police.[2]The Paramaribo Central area and thePalmentuin(Palm Garden) area are known to be less than safe after dark.[2][3]Pick pocketing and robbery are increasingly common in the major business and shopping districts in Paramaribo.[3][4]
There were a dozen murders ofhomelessmen in Paramaribo between 2006 and 2014, with some of the killings appearing to be ritualistic.[5]
Crime dynamics[edit]
Criminals often carry firearms and other weapons and do not hesitate to use them, especially if victims resist.[2]Although the possession ofhandgunsis illegal, many criminals possess them.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abGlobal Study on Homicide.United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2013.
- ^abcdefghijklmn"Suriname 2014 Crime and Safety Report", Overseas Security Advisory Council, US State Department, 22 August 2014.
- ^abcdef"Suriname travel advice - Safety and security", United Kingdom Government foreign travel advice.
- ^Levinson, David (2002).Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment.SAGE.ISBN978-0-7619-2258-2.
- ^"Homeless slayings in Suriname capital go unsolved", Jamaica Observer, February 09, 2014.
