A Bolans businessman who was fired upon by masked gunmen is urging the government to ban the importation and use of full-face masks, warning that they are increasingly being used to facilitate violent crime.
The entrepreneur, who requested anonymity, said he was refueling his truck along Sir Andy Roberts Highway near Fry’s around 11:30 a.m. Friday when two masked men ran from nearby bushes, one brandishing a firearm. He said the gunman fired three shots after the victim threw stones to keep distance before the attackers fled back into the bush.
The businessman said the masks completely concealed the attackers’ faces, making identification impossible, and argued that such coverings embolden criminals and put business owners and the public at risk.
He described the suspects as young, slimly built men and said similar masked robberies are increasingly affecting small business owners. He called for the government and police to work together to strengthen crime prevention measures, warning that future victims could be elderly or more vulnerable.
Police are investigating the incident.
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Why on earth do we even need ski masks on this island. What purpose do they serve? I can think of one maybe, for persons working in areas where noxious fumes are a possible health hazard? Is there another way that they can protect themselves – of course there is. There are protective shields. So, yes, I agree with the call for a ban on importation of ski masks and I will go further and make it criminal for one to be found in possession of a ski mask. Just like camouflage wear is prohibited ski masks should also be prohibited. This has become a safety issue for the wider citizenry.
Banning face masks will not stop robbers from wearing a face mask when they go to rob. They will cover up their faces during robberies regardless of any ban.
Just yesterday I was thinking the same thing when I saw a young man coming off of a work truck in one. I’m in total agreement if banning these masks.
The police needs to be trained in using Ai technology that will allow them to uncover the masked faces. Yes it is possible to do.
Before face masks, they were using cap, handkerchefs a and other means to conceal themselves
Ski masks has become increasingly associated with criminal activity in Antigua and Barbuda. Such masks were designed for cold weather but their ability to conceal ones identity has made them a hit in robberies and other crimes. While individual liberties are important, we are really now at the stage where we have to weigh the right to ones liberty versus public safety. It is very much the same reason why we ban citizens from wearing the camouflage garbs that are intended for the defense force .
There are other masks that are not for use in cold weather that are used especially by those workers who are in the sun for most of the day. It provides adequate protection in such times. Banning a face covering will not in any way stop or even reduce the violent crime in this country. Banning a face covering is the easy way out. One thing that can be done is to have regular patrols by our law enforcement officers. Patrols will help to reduce the crime much more than banning a face covering
The issue is not masks. We need mass deportations; tougher gun laws; more patrols and undercover operations including use of the army. Criminals are still getting fines for illegal guns, ammo and receipt of stolen goods.
We do need to put a stop to these robberies and im in agreement with the ban of skimasks but it sjould also be ban from being used by the those in authoriity police and soldiers also why do the police need to be wearing mask at all no one in my view should be wearing no mask what so ever.
The police should start do profiling, drive by and photograph or stop and search them once they dress that way, and all human being in antigua is to be treated the same, because I know the government and police are afraid of anybody that look white or Caucasian as we would say so they will tip toe around them.
Ski mask is also used for things like skin protection (I use it) and protect against horrific allergic reaction (I use it). Ski mask should not be ban but guidelines can set for the use.
Criminals wear panties and briefs, clothing too. We should ban all clothing? Criminal have women too, we should dating too.
Criminals grows beards and hair, we should ban hair and beards. Criminals breathe oxygen, we should ban the breathing of oxygen.
Criminals use attorneys in criminal proceedings, we should ban all attorneys. Criminals use the toilet, we should ban pooping.
Criminal uses gloves, we should ban gloves. Criminals uses hammers, we should ban hammers.
Criminals wear red and call themself ABLP, we should ban red and ABLP ha ha ha ha ha.
*****Most of this message is being said to make you smile but it still has value to make you really think.*********
Calls grow for ban on Ski and other full-face masks following recent crimes – Antigua News Room https://share.google/mSvDwjeXfsswOpz5R
Blame the people who allow crime to get out of control. With all the advice they got from the public, they did not put any into practice. They think they know everything, now they are reaping the whirlwind
Rubber stamp, that’s all this will be.
More dracronion laws that will be implemented, because this administration lacks the gravitas to tackle crime in a face on way.
Face the criminals head on. Start with tougher sentencing laws for juveniles, and those who are caught with a gun. Build a bigger prison to house these criminals who should get a minimum of 15 years for being caught with an illegal gun.
Stop baby sitting these criminals, talking about football matches.
Stop playing games with these people.
Take a page out of what El Salvador did and how Jamaica is tired and going after these so- called dons and gangster.
Start investigating and locking white color criminals as well. Prostitution and gambling should be banded across Antigua..too much corrupt money in such a small island.
That’s how you get rid of the crime wave.
Now y’all lost the damn town, this is the rubber stamp bs y’all come up with?
Oh please.
Us #garrats are to emotional and try to solve problems in an ad hoc manner more often, than not.
Emotions do not solve problems and in particular problems which are criminal in nature. Proven scientific methods do, and yes, while trial and error also solve problems, when it comes to crime solving, the phrase “beyond the shadow of a doubt” rings like a siren of 200 decibels in a 3’ enclosed cube.
In the CONSTRUCTION, AGRICULTURE and AQUACULTURE INFUSTRIES, masks, face coverings and eyewear are considered as essential, vital and MUST have PPE – PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.
Example a person who is into drywalling, sanding in particular is required to wear full face coverings.
Painters who use sprayers must do the same. Auto body mechanics who uses sprayers. Insulators, Farmers etc.
If you work around chemicals even household cleaning products you are required to wear masks.
These are OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration RULES and GUIDELINES, if you break these and you are injured, lawyers like My way of helping will definitely take your case against your employer(s).
Many former workers who worked in construction and came across asbestos are being compensated today decades after they left the industry.
Presently many of the older buildings in Antigua are infested with mold, possibly lead paint and asbestos. There is no way remediation(s) of these properties would be allowed to go forth without employees using the required and proper PPE to do, said remediation(s) by any competent agency responsible for the inspections of buildings.
There is also the issue of such things as RAIN GEAR which comes with a hood to protect the head.
What will be the outcry when you are faced with other viral outbreaks as with the coronavirus? Unban face masks?
A black stocking cut at both ends can fit under a hat and be pulled down in a second to conceal your identity. You can three D print a latex mask to fit over your face to change your skin tone and touch up the edges with fake liquid skin then add some fake contacts who’s gonna recognize you a cheap ring camera, a dog or Eldread Chinese cameras 25 feet in the air?
Crime solving is a learned science not an obeah seance.
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿 Garrat_Bastard
Vere Edwards
This does nothing. This isn’t even putting plaster on a cut.
If Ski mask were banned it would just be replaced with something else all down to a T shirt can be a mask. if you put on the mask just before a crime how can that be stopped?
I don’t understand why from this story the issue is not the guns, bullets or crime rising but the mask. The only solution is proactive policy, create an environment that makes crime the hard way, make jail reintegrate people and not just sperate them give them skills and education stuff like that.
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