By Gemma Handy
Almost 500 repeat offenders are roaming the nation’s streets with “impunity”, many of them “armed and dangerous” career criminals out on bail.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s 15-minute address to the nation last night saw him double down on his recent attack on the judiciary whose rulings he said had often left him “perplexed”.
Browne struck a strident tone, pledging not to “retreat or relent” in cracking down on crime – and briefly a contrite one as he accepted “full responsibility” as the country’s “chief servant” for rising gun-related offences.
“We remain focused on ensuring the safety and security of every citizen and resident,” he said, adding that while he had “never interfered in the independence of the judiciary”, it was imperative to “dialogue” with them in the fight against crime and violence.
Browne’s speech broadcast on state media came two days after Antigua marked its 10th homicide of the year – the brutal murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Achazia James whose mutilated body was discovered on Runaway Beach on Sunday morning.
James’ killing comes amid a lengthy spate of armed robberies, home invasions and violent attacks that have terrorised local businesses and terrified the community.
Browne said the government had already enacted legislation allowing prison sentences of up to 10 years for gun crime offences.
“When the courts hand down sentences that seem disproportionate to the gravity of the crime, it leaves us perplexed,” he said.
“There are currently 474 repeat offenders who are roaming our streets with impunity. A significant number of them are on bail, armed and dangerous, pursuing a full-time career of crime and violence, at the expense of our people,” Browne continued.
The PM pulled no punches as he dubbed gun crime across the Caribbean a “public health epidemic”, and urged the “libertarian” regional judiciary to realign sentencing guidelines and to administer stiffer penalties, including mandatory jail time for gun offences.
Anyone hoping Browne would extend his attack to the local police hierarchy, which has come under increasing criticism as such offences continue to abound, would have been disappointed.
On the contrary, the PM commended Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney “and the entire police force who serve as guardians against crime and lawlessness”.
He deemed them “nothing short of heroic”, saying they risk their own lives in standing up to thugs. Just last week, a shootout in Ebenezer between officers and armed assailants left one suspected robber dead and two others injured.
Browne noted that police “have the right to protect themselves”, and have “families who expect them to come home after performing their duties”.
The PM said several million dollars would be made available to augment the fight against crime. Measures ahead include new vessels to intercept boats smuggling contraband such as guns, 10 new drones, and more surveillance cameras on the streets. Browne said 140 new officers had been recruited and that the force would also benefit from additional dogs to sniff out firearms.
He vowed that gangs would “not be allowed to hold our people hostage”.
“We will fight fire with fire and steel with steel until they are defeated,” he added.
The police force has established an anti-gang suppression unit, he continued, which will be complemented by counselling and anti-gang education in schools.
He said new legislation would be forthcoming to facilitate a curfew for minors and pledged that a juvenile detention facility would be developed at the Defence Force base at Crabbs Peninsula.
Browne said ending the scourge of violence begins “in the home”, urging parents, churches and community activists to join a national effort to that end.
“It is within our power to defeat the criminals,” he added. “We must all stand in solidarity in this fight to protect lives and livelihoods.”
