{"id":210821,"date":"2024-09-06T11:20:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T15:20:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=210821"},"modified":"2024-09-06T11:20:41","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T15:20:41","slug":"opposition-mp-richard-lewis-criticizes-prime-ministers-decision-to-meet-with-gangs-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/opposition-mp-richard-lewis-criticizes-prime-ministers-decision-to-meet-with-gangs-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Opposition MP Richard Lewis Criticizes Prime Minister\u2019s Decision to Meet with Gangs (VIDEO)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Opposition MP Richard Lewis Criticizes Government’s Response to Rising Crime in Antigua and Barbuda<\/strong><\/p>

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Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Lewis has voiced strong criticism of the current government’s approach to tackling crime in Antigua and Barbuda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on rising crime rates, Lewis expressed frustration with the lack of action by the Attorney General and the government in addressing what he described as a growing crisis gripping the nation.<\/p>

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\u201cI raised my voice over a year ago, and again four months ago, calling on the Attorney General to take decisive action to curb the rising crime situation,” Lewis said. “But my calls, like those of many others, have fallen on deaf ears.”<\/p>

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The MP lamented the government\u2019s apparent reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue with the opposition, claiming that the administration prefers to tackle the issue in isolation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCrime and violence are gripping this society, and they seem to have no answer. The government appears to be saying they don\u2019t want to hear from the opposition\u2014they will do it their own way. But this isn\u2019t just their way; it concerns everyone.\u201d<\/p>

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Lewis also took issue with the Prime Minister’s recent decision to engage directly with gang members in an effort to address the crime wave. He questioned the wisdom of this approach, saying, “Where in the world do you see a leader of any nation negotiating with criminals like this? It\u2019s as though they\u2019ve taken the role of the police into their own hands.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis emphasized that while he supports intervention for individuals seeking to turn their lives around, any such efforts should involve trained professionals and multiple stakeholders. <\/p>

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\u201cIf people want to change their lives, there must be an intervention that includes the police, social services, and gang intervention specialists. But what we see now lacks any of that. It\u2019s just the Prime Minister acting on his own accord.\u201d<\/p>

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The opposition MP also raised concerns about the message being sent to the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He questioned whether the government is providing similar support to law-abiding citizens who struggle to find employment and face hardship. “What happens to the individual who has chosen the straight and narrow path but is frustrated and can\u2019t get a job? Is the Prime Minister prepared to meet with them and offer them hope, or are we telling people that the only way to get attention is by turning to a life of crime?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lewis is urging the government to reconsider its approach to crime-fighting and to prioritize a strategy that involves all relevant parties in society, while offering real support to those in need before they are driven to criminal activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LISTEN TO LEWIS HERE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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