ST GEORGE'S - Although there was a downward trend in reported crime from 1998 to 2001, there was an increase in 2002 over 2001. This was possibly due to the economic and psychological impacts that the events of September 11, 2001 had on countries worldwide and too increased confidence in the Royal Grenada Police Force resulting in an increase in crimes reported. However, since the implementation of this strategy in 2003 (developed after two national consultations in Sept 02 and Oct 03) reports once more indicate a downturn in reported crime. In spite of this positive trend, the public’s fear of crime and its perception of high crime rates, remain. To continue to address this, the Crime Reduction Strategy was reviewed during four mini consultations between April – July 2005. The idea that the influences of television, music, or the media’s coverage of negative incidents contribute largely to this perception, remained unchanged. Also highlighted was the need for youth to continue to be given special consideration in any crime reduction strategy and for the threat of Terrorism to be given special attention. Primary concerns on crime trends in Grenada, continue to include: 1) The increasing tendency toward violence among young people, believed to be a significant factor in the public’s fear of crime in Grenada. 2) The bad influence which deported criminals from first world countries have upon the local criminal element. 3) Corruption at all levels and the need to enact legislation enabling the country to effectively deal with perpetrators. 4) Financial crimes and money laundering, and the need to continue enforcing legislation for compulsory reporting and against secrecy. 5) The ongoing threat of terrorist activity and the devastating effects an incident could have and the need for special legislation to permit “wire tap”, undercover operations etc to combat this and other serious crimes. 6) The increase in domestic violence and sex crimes including incest, rape, child molestation, and harassment, and the need to highlight these issues in crime prevention strategies, training, and data collection. However it was noted that there seemed to be increasing confidence by citizens in reporting these crimes thereby allowing agencies involved in service delivery for victims to deal with these issues. 7) The trafficking of illegal drugs through Grenada, and the country’s need for increased international cooperation of air and maritime patrol capabilities to intercept those using Grenada as a transshipment point. 8) The increase of kidnapping and other crimes in larger, trend-setting countries such as Guyana, Trinidad, and Jamaica. 9) The scarcity of resources to combat crime and finance capital improvements, intelligence capabilities, and training. To continue to combat these trends, this amended version of the 2003 Crime Strategy is the result of the consultations held between April and July of 20005. The tried successful procedures must continue to be enforced and the new ones implemented. We will continue to combat illegal drugs, strengthen the family, institute juvenile justice reform, improve spiritual and moral values, reduce poverty, improve options for victims of domestic violence, review legislation, increase media involvement in crime reduction and strengthen our counter terrorism capabilities. The revised Strategy, incorporating the input from the consultations of 2005 is as shown below, and is circulated to the members of the public for their study and amendment as necessary prior to further circulation. Reprinted from caribeseek.com