COMMISSIONER JEFFERS WARNS OF YOUTH VIOLENCE IS ESCALATING
Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Everton Jeffers, has issued a stark warning as the country faces a disturbing rise in youth violence. Speaking candidly and with urgency, Commissioner Jeffers declared the situation a national emergency and called for collective action to prevent the loss of an entire generation to crime and violence.
“In just one week, we’ve seen two heartbreaking cases involving teenagers. An 18-year-old has been charged with murder, and a 16-year-old is now in custody for the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old from Liberta. These are not acts of youth mischief they are serious crimes. And the people involved are children. This is not normal.” the Commissioner stated.
Commissioner Jeffers pointed to growing incidents involving robbery, gang activity, gun and drug use, and homicide among the nation’s youth. He emphasized that these issues are no longer just police matters, but signs of deeper systemic failures in families, schools, and communities.
“We must stop pretending these are isolated events. They’re not. They are happening too often, too close to home.”
The Commissioner made a direct appeal to parents, teachers, pastors, coaches, and community leaders to intervene early and consistently in the lives of young people.
“We must teach values like respect, empathy, and conflict resolution and that must begin at home and be reinforced everywhere else.”
The Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is responding with expanded community policing programmes, mentorship initiatives, and stronger engagement with at-risk youth. However, Commissioner Jeffers stressed that law enforcement cannot solve this crisis alone.
“Parents, know where your children are and who they’re with. Teachers, spot the warning signs. Community leaders, help us reach these kids before the damage is irreversible…If we don’t fix this, we’re sentencing our youth and our nation to a future of crime, fear, and wasted potential. The time to act is not next month or next year, it’s now!” warned Commissioner Jeffers.
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The leaders are not setting any example either so do not omit them, as a matter of fact the head is so damn slack how the hell the rest of society to do better, from top to bottom is trash
He is so right
PRAYER ! SIR. AND MORE PRAYERS FOR TROUBLED HOMES.
I actually feel a little sorry for Police Commissioner Jeffers. He’s been left with a right mess by the previous incumbent.
Antiguans have been screaming from the rooftops for some years now in regards to rising crime. Home invasions, gun violence, businesses either being robbed or broken into, the murders of custom officers (2-3 I believe); and even the murder of a high profile politician in recent times.
Jeffers is being rather diplomatic by not mentioning the inaction by the government (but if he’s a government appointee so he can’t really bite the hand that feeds him – I understand!).
Emergency measures must now be taken.
I for one am fed-up to the back teeth of always looking around when coming home after a night out or traveling around in the day time – I’ve never known my country to be like this …
REMEBER, WE WERE IGNORED WHEN WE CALLED FOR HELP!
OK! We already know this. Mr. Echo we hear you! Now what’s your comprehensive plans involving short and long term solutions? Praying to sky gods only soothes the confusion in your head not on the ground.
Acting Commissioner Jeffers is not the Commissioner as yet and may never be.
The Acting Commissioner (Jeffers) has been placed in purgatory and is unlikely to be The Commissioner of Royal Police Force of Antigua until he has proven to be loyal to The political leaders, and not as the steward of law and order in the land.
The public is being played as usual. His behavior during this period has to be one that show’s fealty to his bosses. Independence be darned.
All the various social entities and politicians make a statement pointing fingers to others. There is no discussion of root causes of spiraling crime based on any study or analysis.
It’s the parents. It’s the this and the that; but never the entities that makes up the social fabric of the society.
No individual or entity has admitted to their failures and how are they addressing the problem.
Several high profile murders in recent months were attributed to gang activity even though the murders are unsolved.
It’s always interesting to see how the political class handles it with some distraction or SIDS announcements.
Commissioner Jeffers, I honestly believe you and your men are doing a credible job but the Minister in charge of the force is a real JUMBY CRAB and the Prime Minister refuse to do anything about it, some say out of fear. What is strange he had no problem with sending police to tear gas innocent demonstrators, these match stick men masquerading as being tough make me sick
The chickens have come home to roost!
If you don’t take care of your young,
They will burn down the village to feel warm..
You gave them weed to smoke.
Weed for votes!! Smh!!🤔
Now your acting shocked 😲 the way they acting.. eh!!
One big trupz.
Acting Commissioner Jeffers is not the Commissioner as yet and may never be.
The Acting Commissioner (Jeffers) has been placed in purgatory and is unlikely to be The Commissioner of Royal Police Force of Antigua until he has proven to be loyal to The political leaders, rather than the steward of law and order in the land.
The public is being played as usual. His behavior during this period has to be one that show’s fealty to his bosses: Gaston and Cutie Independence be darned.
All the various social entities and politicians make a statement pointing fingers to others. There is no discussion of root causes of spiraling crime based on any study or analysis.
It’s the parents. It’s the home; it’s the parents It’s the this and the that; but never the entities that makes up the social fabric of the society.
No individual or entity has admitted to their failures and how are they addressing the problem.
Several high profile murders in past months were attributed to gang activity even though the murders are unsolved.
It’s always interesting to see how the political class handles serious crime such as the murder of Asot Micheal one of the most prominent politicians in the Caribbean.
Move nothing to see here.
Brixtonian sorry but this is one time I am in disagreement with you. Firstly there is no need to be sorry for the Commission of police. He wanted this job more than anything else. Promised to give monthly press conferences and disappeared.
The main culprit that is responsible for the increase in youth violence is the Government of Antigua and Barbuda is the government – the entire cabinet. The entire parliament. In fact all arms of government. Decriminalization which is more like legalization of the growing and selling of cannabis has led to teen delinquency beyond control. We have lost a generation of youth to this drug. A knife is an invaluable tool to a chef, it is a deadly weapon to a thief. The marijuana plant could be medication to doctor , it is a poison to the soul of the mind of the undeveloped brain. It is a violent drug to the youth. It is a parent, teacher and innocent children nightmare. It is sold to children by the legal growers, indirectly. Children are sell legally grown marijuana to children at school in Antigua. It is not just the increase in violent crimes by our children, the amount of teenage Zombies walking is staggering.
The next group to be blamed are the parents. Not just the parents of children that use this dangerous substance. It puts all our children at risk and all parents need to stand up . Don’t matter if you are from Paradise or Grays Farm. All teachers need to stand up if they are concerned about children. The churches need to stand up. The community groups need to stand up. The production of marijuana is expanding everywhere the government allows them the freedom to grow- especially the Rasta communities.
Then Brick look at what you are seeing being displayed during Carnival. Pure nudeness and vulgarity. This is tantamount to disrespect and criminal. So when the children see adults behaving like this , what respect do you want them to have. Hay you are talking about naked teachers, community leaders. PURE Nakedness and Vulgarity “Cocking” up in the streets with their private parts exposure. Do you expect our young men to respect our women after carnival? Do you expect our boys to respect our girls after carnival? These naked teachers expect to be respectful after “cocking “up their asses in the middle of the street?
Who is going to pull the plug and say enough is enough.
Brix this violence and robbery will reach our homes , none of us are safe. It is going to affect our tourism industry very soon. Yesterday I heard Antigua being praised for low crime rate. Just around the corner it is coming full speed and can destroy our tourism.
The beach is not just the beginning, soon you will see arm guards with machine guns patrolling our beaches.
Some will get rich and soon fly away. The poor and the vulnerable will stay here and kill each other. We need to do something right now.
Commissioner you did not mention the 16 years old that got shot during the recent robbery and his three friends charged for murder as well.
I very much respect your forthright opinion @ Frankly speaking. I stand corrected on the interim Police Commissioner Jeffers.
Enjoy your day 👍🏾