By Azara Lavia
Amid a recent spate of violent crime, an appeal is being made by concerned individuals for the government to tackle the problem with urgency.
A few days ago, Aunty Alice Superstore in Golden Grove was robbed of more than $3,000 by armed bandits – the latest in a string of alarming gunpoint attacks and home invasions which have caused widespread anxiety.
Speaking on Sunday’s Big Issues show, social commentator Winston Henry said residents and citizens are living in fear and called on the powers that be to take action.
“There is fear amongst the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda where crime is concerned. The shocking thing to me is that the police seem to be reactionary rather than proactive.
“The robbers and criminals have stepped up their attacks. We know that during Carnival time there has always been a spike, but over recent years there has been a spike within that spike. The citizens need to feel more safe, not only in their businesses but in their homes,” he said.
A member of the Diaspora Progressives, Akil Jabari, said he believes that youth unemployment has a role to play. According to Jabari, there is substantial evidence that suggests that poverty is associated with criminal activity amongst youth, not only in Antigua and Barbuda but globally.
“I believe that youth unemployment is very high in Antigua and Barbuda. I don’t know the exact statistics, but I do know we have a situation where the government needs to do more.
“We have a lot of young people leaving State College, they are leaving secondary school, the government doesn’t seem to have a plan or a strategy to find gainful employment for youth in Antigua and Barbuda.
“Everyone knows that when you have youth unemployment as high as it is in Antigua and Barbuda you’re going to see a rise in crime. They go together,” he said.
Adding his voice to the much talked about issue was Dr McChesney Emanuel, an economic adviser, business intelligence specialist and diplomat. He says businesses across the twin island state should join forces and work together to combat crime.
“It is troubling, it’s extremely worrisome, however I also think it is an opportunity for business owners to start to communicate with each other and to build cooperative and strategic linkages so that they can collaborate in a communal way to bring influence to bear on law enforcement and the respective government authorities, in other words there is a body that speaks for small business operators,” he said.
Public Safety Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin met with police chiefs last week to address the subject of criminals with guns.
Cabinet later said the police would initiate every possible strategy to seize illegal firearms and to keep innocent citizens safe.
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