‘Gun Shot Can’t Run This Town’: Browne Urges Youth to Reject Crime and Violence
Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a firm message on crime and youth during his Independence Day address, warning that violence has no place in Antigua and Barbuda’s future.
“Gun shot can’t run this town,” Browne declared as he called on young people to put down their weapons, pursue education and training, and “level up” toward meaningful employment and opportunity.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came as the nation marked its 44th anniversary of Independence, with Browne highlighting that Antigua and Barbuda continues to record one of the lowest crime and homicide rates in the Caribbean. He said nine homicides have been reported so far this year—two fewer than last year—but emphasized that “nine is still too many.”
He acknowledged a recent spate of robberies and said law enforcement operations will intensify, backed by new technology and intelligence-gathering efforts to ensure communities remain safe.
“Crime does not pay — and those who persist with crime and violence will surely pay the price,” Browne warned.
He urged young citizens to turn away from the lure of quick money, saying it “sweet, but bitter in the end,” and instead take advantage of government programmes like the Youth Employment and Empowerment Programme (YEEP), academic scholarships, and vocational training opportunities.
“Be a productive youth and invest in knowledge and skill,” he said, framing discipline, responsibility, and self-improvement as the path to lasting success.
Browne reaffirmed that security is not only the work of police but the shared responsibility of every citizen who chooses peace over lawlessness.
“Our freedom endures because our society respects the rule of law,” he said. “Security and justice will always prevail.”
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The gun town was created under the watchful eyes of politicians. The youths are simply assimilating to what they’re immersed in.
Why apply for youth employment and empowerment programm and only a few on one hand can be successful
This guy is really ridiculous. He asked for a gun amnesty and told the gun toting criminals to do whatever they wanted with the weapons that might have been used in criminal activities and now he’s chastising them for possessing guns. That’s what you get for buying votes.
Great advise, it’s time that government contract special skill training companies to come to Antigua with imported facility to train young people, things like Allison transmission repairs, elevator escalator repair and electronic diesel engine repairs and even streetlights repairs because what APUA is discarding is not damage as they assumed, it is one parts in the series circuit or a diode need changing, Antigua need a renaissance for the youths today, not the old way of doing things from colonial times, bring in technical skills training companies or institute with their facility be side state college is limited.
The youth will become part of nation building and entrepreneur instead of a life of crime.
Gaston needs to put harsh punishment for these gun men especially for youth who think they can do criminal activities n get away with it because they’re under age. If Gaston don’t do something quick in regards to these break-ins then we the public will have to .. we’re TIRED n FED UP of whats going on.
Well said PM Browne
Gun crimes need a minimum of 10-years in Prison and maximum of hanging for homicides. Sadly, Browne and Benjamin lack the courage to promote stricter laws to deter and punish malefactors. Only, when “white” tourist are severely injured or murdered will these two take proactive actions….maybe.
Your best friend BABA ruling the country. What would you say?
Every year, the Prime Minister gives the same kind of speech about crime “put down the guns,” “crime doesn’t pay,” “law enforcement will step up” but the real question is, what’s changing? It’s easy to tell the youth to dream big and stay out of trouble, but when many of them can’t find steady work, can’t afford land, can’t even get a small business off the ground without begging somebody in high office, those words sound hollow.
The truth is, crime doesn’t start with the gun it starts with frustration, with poverty, with feeling like the system is stacked against you. If this government really wants to make a difference, they have to move past speeches and start fixing the deeper issues that push young people toward crime in the first place. How many times have we heard about “opportunities” and “training programs,” yet people can’t even get a callback or a fair chance unless they wear a red shirt?
And let’s be honest when corruption at the top goes unpunished, it sends the wrong message to the bottom. How can we tell a youth “crime doesn’t pay” when they watch politicians and big shots do as they please without consequence? The government can’t preach morality to the poor while turning a blind eye to the wrongs of the powerful.
So yes, the PM’s message sounds good for Independence Day, but until justice, fairness, and opportunity become real for everyone not just the connected few — the speeches will keep coming, and the crime will keep repeating itself
He love fi talk ‘bout “opportunities,” but tell me where dem deh? Unless you red or got some big name, you can’t get through nowhere. And he always quick fi say how crime low, but every week somebody get rob or stab. So who he really fooling?