CATEGORY:SPECIAL REPORT -------------------------- By Wallace J.A Inside Grenada correspondent Monday February 05,2007 AN ARTICLE appearing in an Australian online webpage has warned Australian cricket fans who intend to come to the Caribbean for Cricket World Cup 2007 to exercise caution on our ‘crime-ridden islands.’ The article, written by Jon Pierik in the sports section of ‘Adelaide Now,’ mentions that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia has released its World Cup travel bulletin for the nine countries that will be hosting matches in cricket’s biggest extravaganza for 2007: Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Trinidad& Tobago, Barbados, Guyana, Grenada and Antigua & Barbuda. The DFAT report says in part that “In some parts of the Caribbean, violent crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping and murder, is common," and that “…Violent crime is often gang-related and perpetrators may be armed. There is also a high rate of petty crime, including pick-pocketing and bag snatching.” Tourists were warned that walking after dark, including on beaches, can be dangerous due to the increased risk of robbery and assault. Potential visitors to the region from Down Under were also advised to exercise caution when consuming food or drinks. The article alleges that crime, including sexual assault have occurred in the region after travelers have accepted ‘spiked’ food or drink. In a more general way, travelers were also warned about the worldwide threat of terrorism. Large-scale public gatherings, such as CWC 2007, could become the focus of terrorist acts or other forms of violence. The United States has already issued a travel advisory to its citizens, especially students heading to the Caribbean for their spring break, to be very cautious while in the region given the fact that there is such a major sporting festival just around the corner. Caribbean host countries need to be able to put the necessary security mechanisms in place so as to assuage the fears of thousands of visitors to the region from around the world who might be harboring safety concerns. The high rate of crime in some of our neighboring territories would certainly not help this cause. Regional governments need to act quickly and expeditiously to sell the region as one that is safe for visitors, otherwise, the much talked about financial benefits to be derived from hosting the CWC may fail to materialize.