
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
St. John’s, Antigua With violent crime among youth surging at an alarming rate across Antigua and Barbuda, a growing number of citizens, former servicemembers, and community leaders are calling for the urgent restoration of a once-proven institution: the Antigua & Barbuda National Cadet Corps.
According to recent reports, juveniles and young adults now account for nearly 90% of all criminal offenders on the island. In the past 12 months alone, Antigua has faced an unprecedented wave of car thefts, armed robberies, home invasions, and even murders involving individuals as young as 16.
Many believe this disturbing trend is directly linked to the dismantling of the original leadership structure of the National Cadet Corps a program that, from as early as 1993 to 2020, provided disciplined training, mentorship, and a structured environment for at-risk youth.
“The Corps wasn’t just a uniform and a title it was a second chance for hundreds of young people,” said a past cadet in the program.
“Courts referred troubled youth to the Cadets instead of prison, and it worked. We kept them out of trouble, out of gangs, and often, off the streets altogether.”
The leadership change in 2020 led to the quiet removal of the dedicated men and women who built the program’s foundation over two decades.
Since then, crime among young people has rapidly escalated, with hotspot communities like Villa, Grays Farm, Point, Greenbay, and Skerrits Pasture bearing the brunt.
Critics argue that the traditional youth justice system is failing. Juvenile detention now acts as a revolving door sending youths in broken and returning them hardened.
This press release is not just a reflection it’s a call to action:
The Proposal:
Reinstate the National Cadet Corps with its original core leadership from 1993–2020. Or a call for a meeting by former members to have our nation youth be reformed.
Reintroduce court-mandated Cadet service as an alternative to juvenile incarceration.
Establish community-based Cadet outreach programs in the most impacted areas.
Provide funding, support, and national recognition to restore the Corps as a leading institution in youth development and rehabilitation and have them enlisting in the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force when reach the age after a reform.
>“We already had a working solution. We just need the political will and public pressure to bring it back,” a Former Cadet stated. “Every day we delay, we lose another child to the streets.”
In a time when speeches are plentiful but action is scarce, restoring the Cadet Corps represents a tangible, immediate step toward breaking the cycle of crime and restoring pride, purpose, and discipline to Antigua and Barbuda’s youth.
END.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHAT’S APP GROUP
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
No cadet corp can change them. They already have a violent mind set. They will join the cadet Corp to learn how to operate a firearm and then leave. Even in the Defense Force, a lot of young males joining the Army and as soon as their time up they resign because they now know how to use a firearm. The remedy for them is that whenever they commit serious crime, charge them as adult. Cabinet must get busy and change the Law concerning the youths. No more 3 years hit them with the maximum and keep them in a facility for youth and when they reach 18 transfer them to the prison. Families of the deceased youths will not take it light they will seek revenge. A word to the wise
I propose the antigua and barbuda chevalry club..ABCC to instil and accomodate the young generation into society from a early age 12 – 16, would be trainig and career prep,16 – 21 employment and business development, the curiculum would be implemented and revamped acording to the neccesity of the individual and needs to social placements…
This seems like a true and tried solution to the current youth crime wave and I wonder why it was dismantled to begin with. The youth clearly need discipline, support and hope for a brighter future.
So let me get this one correct. To change young men into good citizens, you train them how to turn their minds and their bodies into a weapon?
Now how oxymoronic is that?
This is a tried and workable solution to stem the present degeneration of our youths, and societal fabric: which i will endorsed whole heartedly. Discipline must be instilled in the mental growth of our generation-next. I would even venture further, to expounded that all minors who have reached, and not attain the graduation standards to be gainfully employees, must be placed into some formal forms of vocational commitment of trade; under the auspices of legislation to gain the necessary skill-sets to become contributing citizens of our domain. No longer can we afford the liberal stance of recidivism imprisonment, as the reform mantra. The cult of decadence is truly upon us in this nuclear age of abstract entitlement; wherein, criminals mind sets, become the easiest way out for the gullible minded to be spurned into nefarious inclination that benefits none, but contribute to the human decay, so pervasively impacting on our society at-large. I would hope that the powers that is in control; would see it fit to address this festering trend: that if left untreated will surely become a undeniable scrouge; for generations to come.
I do agree that this is a needed component in bringing back sensibility to our youths. We’ve eroded so many of society’s programs against ill will and replaced it with decriminilization, none enforcement of juvenile delinquencies and terrible parenting.
Now is the time for action because I still don’t know what are we waiting for????
Crime seems to be on the increase all over the island. However, certain communities such as Grace Green and Villa have be labelled as hotspots by some commentators. For those who don’t live in those communities, let’s imagine for a minute what it might be like living there vs other communities that we are more accustomed to. Those communities are near the city, crowded, yards are small, nature is not as easy to enjoy, they are near the city but there is not much in the city for young people to do. Imagine if you had to get up everyday and exist with no good view, nowhere good to go and nothing to do? In the past there was at least good television, but the U.S. stopped producing good wholesome, content years ago. So, are we really surprised that some of these young people get bored and restless and then eventually become violent? There should be programmes and activities that allow the city kids to regularly spend some time in the countryside. Perhaps they could work part time on farms or environmental projects or some such thing. Also, the casinos and adult nightlife activities need to be taken out of the city and zoned into some distant area. Bring back wholesome city nightlife such as movie theatres, cultural theatres, pool, roller skating, warri, bowling, arcades etc. Any citizen with money and a heart could start an entertainment complex for youth. Also bring back wholesome activities similar to the old school Boy Scouts and Girl Guides where young people learn fun and useful skills. Also, have classes in pottery, cookery, woodworking etc. available. Keep them occupied and they will better stay out of trouble. Young people, you don’t have to wait on the adults to find good wholesome hobbies and activities to keep you occupied. You can start your own wholesome club. Take the initiative and you will receive support… Stay out of trouble.
Crime pays and Sex pays.
The Cadet Corps was dismantled for crime pays just that simple.
@Kahunas Probably true but it doesn’t matter what pays. Money can’t buy happiness. The happiest countries are those in which people show respect for one another and work together to keep society civil and full of good services and activities. Young people and older persons need to change their mindset from just moneymaking all the time to nation building instead.
I suggest we take back our natural resources and not send our sons n daughters for greedy men to send them to wars we don’t need.#BBQBADNESS
Blessed Love A truth to consider It is good to see and feel a sense of CHANGE ..Pointing against truth has reprecusions ..The pedophile ring was the core concern so remember the obscured desires..ONLY INTRUST THE YOUTH WITH DIVINITY how do you define this? I can appreaciate what has been shared myself mentioned the cadets /discpline earlier blogs..but we gather to find Divine Livity .Pracitice what Jah preach..There is a sense for thinking what our Ancestors whould embrace..Think in a Free Mind..The True and Divine words of His Imperial Majesty is a START read (“The Book “)and enrich these truths..The Masks are part of the concerns..Change is NOBEL..if LOVE Is a Foundation .
Blessed Love
@Mother Talking I agree with you. Any activities and programmes planned for the youth must be done carefully to protect them from exploitation by unscrupulous persons.There should be many trusted adults around for oversight. Many good activities can also be done with parents instead of just children in groups. Also, I agree that the only real answer is to teach children moral principles from the Good Book. These are best to guide them to peace and joy and contentment in this life no matter what happens.
The quote, “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth,” is an African proverb. It signifies that a young person who feels disconnected or unsupported by their community may resort to destructive behavior to gain attention or a sense of belonging, even if it’s negative attention or a feeling of anger.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Lack of Connection:
The proverb highlights the importance of community and belonging for a child’s well-being.
Negative Attention:
When a child doesn’t feel embraced, they might act out to get noticed, even if it’s through negative actions.
Desire for Warmth:
The “warmth” in the quote refers to the feeling of connection, love, and support that a child needs to thrive.
Consequences of Neglect:
The proverb suggests that a community that neglects its young people can face negative consequences due to their disconnection.
Real-world Applications:
This proverb can be seen in various situations, such as youth who turn to crime or violence when they feel alienated from society.
Essentially, the proverb serves as a reminder that creating a supportive and inclusive community for young people is vital for their healthy development and the well-being of society as a whole, according to a wellness blog.
Completely agree with you. The level of crime we have now I e never seen before so we really do need to explore all avenue’s
The future of our youth is a crisis we must address now. The Cadet Corps is a proven model. Let’s support this call to action and ensure it has the funding and resources to reach every young person who needs it. Our collective future depends on it.