A man stole from his employer, and another broke into a fishing vessel. Both were sentenced to jail, and the courts have noted the increase in such crimes being called before them.

Jail terms are being dished out as a deterrent, but they do not seem to be working. It is sad that, once known to be free of theft and burglaries, some areas are reporting an increase in such crimes. The police can only do so much; the prevention part of such crimes lies in the hands of the community and our elected leaders.

A deep dive is needed into finding out why we are witnessing an increase in thefts and burglaries. Every week, a shop owner posts a video of shoplifters. These are men and women, some young and some towards the middle age. Are things becoming so hard to afford that people are now turning to crime?

It has also been said that the increase in such crimes is also a reflection of the prevalence of meth. The narcotic is here and quite common now. From reports and case studies from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, it has been established that thefts, burglaries and robberies are crimes associated with meth. This could also be a reason why such crimes are increasing.

Crime has been noticeably on the increase. How are we going to battle crime? This is an important aspect in any society. An assurance has been given by the new government that they will lead the fight against crime. Crime is an issue that we cannot neglect.

Crimes cannot be associated with development. Singapore is a developed nation and continues to forge ahead, yet crime rates are low. Singapore's crime rate is low due to a combination of strict laws, severe punishments, and effective, impartial law enforcement. This includes harsh penalties for crimes like drug trafficking, a high level of public trust in the police, robust surveillance, and a cultural emphasis on social shame associated with criminality. Some suggest that Singapore's economic development has played a role in its low crime rates, a trend observed in other East Asian countries as well.  Even minor offences are met with significant fines, reinforcing a culture of order and compliance

Maybe this is a path that needs to be explored. If Singapore can manage that, so can Samoa. It will take more than just words; it will take action, a joint one from all members of the society.

High crime rates negatively impact economies by discouraging investment, reducing productivity, and increasing costs associated with security and law enforcement. This can lead to slower economic growth, decreased living standards, and increased inequality.

This then becomes a cycle where economic inequality becomes the cause of crime. A street vendor choosing to sell meth for more money is an example of such a thing. This also highlights that a growing number of people in the country are falling into poverty. If there is political will to focus on the right course, we could rise above crimes.

Poverty, lack of education and crime are interrelated social issues. Real action is needed. One of the key factors in increasing crime rates is poverty. A recent report from the World Food Programme stated that 40 per cent of the population cannot afford a healthy and balanced meal. This says a lot about poverty levels in the country.

Poverty breeds crime. This is not a statement out of thin air, but proven in all economies. To decrease crime levels, poverty needs to be addressed. There is only one solution – education. Make education accessible and free. Bring teachers under the civil service banner and ensure that children can get to school, do not have to worry about paying for education and have teachers in classrooms when they reach school.

This will not happen overnight. If we start now, in the next two decades, a better-educated society could lead to low crime levels. We can have a prosperous society, but it will take commitment from elected leaders to be selfless.