National Security Minister and Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin is urging residents of All Saints West to take a hands-on approach to crime prevention by forming neighbourhood watch groups.
Addressing a town hall meeting at the Sea View Farm Primary School on Thursday night, Sir Steadroy encouraged residents to strengthen communication within their communities to help deter criminal activity.
“I am asking you to organize yourself into neighbourhood watches. Look and see if there are any strange people in your community. Get groups organized, even WhatsApp groups. Call your neighbour, let them know someone strange is in the neighbourhood,” he said.
Sir Steadroy also announced that additional street lights will be installed in areas such as Bellevue to improve visibility and security. He added that the government will increase police patrols in the constituency as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public safety.
Commending the constituency’s Member of Parliament for his dedication to youth development, Sir Steadroy noted his consistent advocacy for scholarships and skills training opportunities for young people.
“Your MP wants the young people to benefit. He talks to me all the time, he speaks to the Prime Minister. Since the UWIFIC, he’s been scouting the area to find young people with the potential to study there,” he said.
The minister’s remarks formed part of a broader call for collaboration among citizens, law enforcement, and government agencies to create safer and more resilient communities.
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Wow! A sort of TACIT admittance from the National Security Minister Steadroy Benjamin that we have an issue with criminality in parts of the country.
Better late than never I suppose.
Let’s hope that the Prime Minister follows suit, and is a lot more implicit and comes out as well to address the public at large.
The crime problem is worsening, what is next to do? Get the experts in the field to find the reasons and the solutions. It is obvious this crime increase is happening with the same procedures, ideas and people around for decades. So, it would be logical to do what? Try new people, ideas and procedures.
I remember demanding the police to use data and crime prediction models but they have failed. How many times have they broken into schools this month or recently? Numerous times. Do you think competent professionals wouldn’t have prepared for the third, fourth, fifty, break ins at schools after the first or second?
My point is, practically all crimes that have occurred since 2022 were crimes that were predictable and foreseeable by experts.
But listening to me will make ABLP and their selected leaders admit to themself and the public they are not intellectually, professionally and logically equipped for the jobs in Antigua and Barbuda’s national security, safety and protection.
At least keep your job and get your income but take steps to get information on what to do from experts, competent people. At least do that.
These Community patrols MUST have as part of their make up…
A…an armed police or two, within the group at all times (24hrs on shift rotation).
B…trained and armed civilians (retired lawmen can play their part too).
Everything costs money, therefore, besides the pittance which the government may offer, these groups will have to be able to raise their own funds to support their efforts.
The signs of what is transpiring, today in regards to the street thugs running amok the community’s creating mayhem and havoc were evident decades ago.
Crime is like a [seed]; once planted and it germinates, what is used to nurture it will determine how successful a plant it will become.
The recent #VEHICLE_GATE is proof, that the theory of linking the present crime wave on the STREETS and the emmbed, insulated and well protected criminals in the purported upper echelons are INDELIBLY attached at their heads like SIAMESE TWINS, and cannot be separated because of the delicate nature of the surgery, to separate them.
Well crime is no different; it will always permeate every section of society and. Culture and can only be curtailed.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏿Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards