Combating Gun Violence and Drug Trafficking to Enhance Public Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Crime and Public Safety in Latin America and the Caribbean Introduction Crime is a controversial issue that stirs hot debates based on the nature of its occurrence and rates from time to time. Latin America and the Caribbean are not an exception regarding crime and its effect on public safety. Why is crime an issue? Crime is a state that brings unrest as it disrupts peace that the public deserves to enjoy during their existence. For this reason, public safety becomes disrupted in the presence of crime and vice-versa. Living in an area where the crime rate rises often implies that the control measures employed to curb it are unsuccessful and significantly hamper public safety. Analyzing crime and public safety in Latin America and the Caribbean is essential in understanding their impact on the general growth and development of the two areas. Could the growing availability of firearms and drug trafficking be the major forces that drive crime rates within these regions, causing unrest among the public? Americans have the right to own a gun. It is a right aimed at enhancing individual safety. However, many Americans take advantage of this right and exercise illegal firearm trafficking, illegal use, and acquisition of firearms, increasing gun-related violence and crime. Little has been done to regulate gun acquisition as a right protected by this great nation's Constitution. It becomes practically impossible to clear loopholes that enhance crime-related acts attributed to legal and illegal firearm access and use. According to Wallace (139), homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean within the 21st century report a significant rise where firearms serve as the most commonly used weapon to commit crime. Though there are over 70 million small guns in Latin America, the state owns 14% of the number while the civilians own the rest, which speaks to the harm such guns can cause if improperly used. Public security remains hampered as tension dominates the environment with unpredictable emergences of gun-related violence, especially in public places. Unfortunately, adolescents and young adults are the most affected by gun-related crimes, with millions aged between 15 and 29 years losing their lives (Imbusch, Michel, and Fernando 2). Young Latin America and the Caribbean population ignore the effect of firearms. Having firearms at personal disposal, whether personally owned or a family protective device, expose the young generation to finding a remedy for personal problem through the ill use of the weapons. Enforcing stricter gun ownership control is essential in enhancing public safety in Latin America and the Caribbean regions. Policy linkage is a problem that many governments encounter while regulating the public way of living. Drug control policies are among the most affected in Latin America and the Caribbean, where many enjoy the privilege of drug access and trafficking regardless of the control measures imposed (Durán-Martínez, 146-47). One can argue the vulnerability of the Caribbean region to drug trafficking based on its central location. It is imperative to note that the Caribbean is...