28085: Boswell: (reply) Pickpockets (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Richard A. Boswell <boswellr@pacbell.net>

All of these messages about pickpockets highlights something very interesting 
about Haiti (and many other countries) which is that notwithstanding the break 
down in the rule of law on balance there is a relatively high level of 
civility.  Pickpocketing is relatively tame  as compared to the violent drug 
related crime experienced by many in the U.S.  Any Haitian in PAP could 
randomly pick out a foreigner and be virtually assured that s/he would be 
carrying a substantial amount of money in either cash and/or credit cards.  So 
it is remarkable how low the crime rate actually is.  Does anyone have a 
reasoned explanation for this low level of crime as compared to the situation 
in any U.S. city?



Richard Boswell
boswellr@pacbell.net