Antigua and Barbuda Government Considers Curfew for Minors to Combat Rising Juvenile Crime
Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressed growing concerns about juvenile involvement in crime and the safety of minors in Antigua and Barbuda. The Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of implementing a long-term curfew for individuals under the age of 18, a move intended to curb the increasing gang violence among youth and protect minors from predatory behavior.
During a radio interview, Prime Minister Browne elaborated on the rationale behind the proposed curfew, emphasizing the need for stronger measures to safeguard children. He referenced disturbing incidents involving young girls as young as 13 frequenting nightclubs late into the night, with one specific case involving a 15-year-old girl staying out until 3:00 a.m. “We may have to go the extra mile now to protect our minors by introducing these types of curfews,” Browne stated, expressing concern over the potential risks faced by unsupervised youths during late hours.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the public’s concerns regarding the potential restrictions, drawing comparisons to the strict measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he clarified that the proposed curfew is not a temporary solution but rather a long-term strategy to address what he described as “significant gaps in parenting” in the country. “If parents can’t keep their children off the street at midnight and early in the morning, we may have to do so by law,” Browne asserted.
While the exact timing of the curfew is still under discussion, with suggestions ranging from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Browne emphasized that the government would consult further before finalizing the details. He mentioned that the final decision is expected to be made during the next sitting of Parliament, scheduled within the next 10 days. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of balancing the need for child safety with the preservation of some degree of freedom for minors, cautioning against overly restrictive measures.
The proposed curfew, once enacted, would apply to all minors under the age of 18, with exceptions potentially made for those who have left school early and are employed. The intent, according to Browne, is to ensure that young people spend their evenings engaged in constructive activities, such as studying and developing good habits, rather than being exposed to criminal elements or risky situations.
As the government prepares to introduce this curfew legislation, it remains to be seen how the public will respond to these stringent new measures. However, with juvenile crime and exploitation on the rise, the Prime Minister’s initiative signals a decisive move to protect the nation’s youth and maintain public order.
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PM. Please stop talking about parents. Most of these troubled youths come from single mother families, where the poor woman is overworked and overstressed. Legislate now to make the men responsible in all aspects. It is so sad that we have reached this stage where we have to legislate parenting but it is reality. Let the men who make these children be held responsible for their actions.
Yes lock them in.
The fathers need to be equally responsible and not just the mother only. It takes both to make a child. Some of the family homes are missing a father figure to help raise the children but that doesn’t give them the right to neglect them they are blessings and so they should not hàve to suffer the consequences of been neglected so all you need to step up to the plate and be responsible it’s not a if it’s a must otherwise they know what to do if they don’t want children
this is not going to work unless you issue a pass for the ones who have a valid reason to be out during curfew hours like those that actually work and attend classes.
In my expert opinion, curfew would not be an option at this time. Distracting the police with curfew violations is just not what I want right now and curfew will also caused children behaving as children to be criminalized or labeled by the systems as deviants and criminals. We are trying to avoid this.
In my expert opinion focus on putting pressure on parents, legal guardians and community to secure their children while law enforcement focus on decrease opportunities for more vicious and inherently dangerous crimes.
Please do not be distracted. You will not see the youths who are committing the vicious crimes when they are going to commit those crimes from curfew rules.
I am also requesting for an email address assigned to INSU and or police so that youths can submit information about the gangs, weapons, criminal and deviant activities. All email address will be deleted once the information is received and do not be afraid that your information will be revealed to the public. We can stop you from getting victimize.
Good move, a lot of parents are slacking because they don’t see the news for discipline. I’m not a supporter of any particular party but this is one of the few good things I will say the PM has even suggested. Some things like extra curriculars need to be taken into account but this can make a difference. Next step is to implement after school programs for these kids, recreational centers or any means of providing them something to do that will not just use their time but also give them some type of life skill. And for heaven’s sake please invest into youth sports, if the government would actually give kids an avenue to get into sports they may find that doing something productive that reaps long term benefits (a sports career, further education or just traveling to represent Antigua) is worth more on life than useless gang wars and partying with people 3x they age.
Life!
It seems like we are living in a State that’s controlled by a lone individual. There are no dialog with anyone at any time; he goes on his private radio station and makes pronouncements and only then will his cabinet members and the public will have heard simultaneously. He’s confused and doesn’t know where to turn now. It’s time for him to just throw it the towel because it’s obvious that he can’t manage.
Gaston crazy,
Just 3 week ago when Kartel was released from prison, less than 1 hour after Gaston send out a tweet “vibes Kartel one nation concert”
A de same young people an dem idolize Kartel.
Really people he himself is the biggest reason for the state of affairs with the young people.
Who legalize weed “Gaston”
Gaston you are a Farmer so you should know what ever you plant a that you going to reap
Fools,he was saying ALL OF US…monkey pox is around us and this affect only the kind of theft and their population who is grown only in this eastern Caribbean island. Today ALL without distinction,tomorrow will be the oldest ” A.K.A” not one is more DECENT AND WELL BEHAVE than the cr..ppy politician’s and their minions. If is true God exist PLEASE,PLEASE..TO A EXAMPLE MY ALMIGHTY GOD!!!
That’s just the beginning… Watch the trap!!
Pay Attention!
Hmmm I wonder if all neighbourhoods will get the same policing of this curfew.
You voted for this POS, now you can live with it.
Hope you can live under dictatorship rule.
Some of you people are simply doen right nasty and low class. Do you believe that you’re helping the situation by responding like fools?
Get serious about something, anything jack.
I’m so disappointed in most of your comments. It doesn’t speak well of our intellect.
The continuous bashing on every issue, even when you could possibly be directly affected by becoming a victim. What’s really going on in Antigua and Barbuda?
Don’t you guys have any ideas to offer?
Tarl, man! Ah since when we get so?
This is regrettable.
So! By sow! By sew! Boi soh!
So…
A…you can have babies at 16 and get married? Nah?
B…Special passes for those teens who may already be working, to help ease the financial burdens on the family. What types of [jobs] will qualify for such passes?
C…are there, and will there be [systems] in place, safety nets to absorb all the #pent_up energy’s which these tweens and teens are already producing in their bodies?
I know some are mentioning the [chirch]; however, will the churches be building Recreation Facilities to enhance their private schools and open them free to the Community, regardless, of affiliations? By the way, the church must begin to invest larger in the private sector, to help provide decent paying jobs to the communities. You can’t take the billions to your heavens.
This curfew will test the patience of the youths whom have being already indoctrinated, into the #New World Order!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
We don’t need no curfew! We need mass deportations of the foreign criminal and terrorist gangs operating in Antigua.
@Mr Byam…nutten ‘tal ah goh go sow! Nar sew! Nar so! #MASS_DEPORTATION, 🤣The Joke Of The 18th Century! Mr Byam, this is the 21st Century, three hundred years late, even though, it’s better late than never, Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA #SCAMPTICIANS aka politicians, on both side of the isle and quasi_independents too, ONLY hab trang fu de ole thyme ‘Antiguan or Barbudan; but, saff lakkah #Sappy_Fungee wen it comes to the [foreign] denizens(Arabs, expats, Chinese, CIPERS, refugees, and CARIBBEAN GANGSTAZ, WANTED criminals7.
These [foreign] denizens are…
A…The Swing Votes
B…The transferable votes at the last minute.
MASS DEPORTATIONS…🤣🤣🤣 IS POLITICAL SUICIDE.
Again, neither UPP, ABLP, GASTON LABOUR PARTY, ASOT LABOUR PARTY(ALP),has the balls, phat_😽_Cat to IMPLEMENT MASS DEPORTATION. IT’T POLITICAL SUICIDE!
Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦉Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Ras Smood, You’re wrong. It’s up to Antiguans to make it happen. It’s the only way to save Antigua.
@Mr Byam…I’m gonna give Antiguans, not politicians nor political affiliations the benefit of the doubt, and take #wrong; because, two wrongs don’t make a right!
Now, prove me #wrong, and demand a #MASS DEPORTATION of ALL who’re breaking any law(s) of the Nation and they are not citizens.
Again, #ALL not just Jamaicans who’re running foul of the law MUST be deported.
Jumbee Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg👣Garrat Bastard
Vere C. Edwards
Heard about a fine for the parents. How will that work or help?
If money was flowing we may have been better off. But, the child I tried talking to, who still sneaking out, I must then find money I do not have to pay for their escape against my rules?
Do you have systems in place to take the child and put with somewhere they won’t sneak out from?
This seems like it will add more financial pressure. And possibly more lashings while angry, and broker.
If they can afford to pay the fine, paying it won’t matter much.
If it is hard or impossible for them to pay the fine, we will be opening a bigger can of worms in that household.