Police Face Frustrated Residents at Heated St. John’s Rural South Town Hall
Senior officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda faced pointed questions from St. John’s Rural South residents during a town hall meeting Monday night, where concerns over slow response times, an understaffed police outpost and growing fears about neighborhood crime dominated the discussion.
The meeting, led by police administrators including an Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent, was part of the force’s community-policing initiative aimed at improving public confidence and strengthening ties with residents.
Police representatives opened by stressing that visible policing, parental responsibility, and community involvement were key to safer neighborhoods. They pledged to address complaints raised in previous months, including reduced patrols and inconsistent staffing at the Golden Grove Extension outpost.
Several residents challenged police officials, citing repeated incidents where urgent calls for help were met with hours-long delays.
A pastor who has lived in the area for six years said the outpost was closed for days when he attempted to report multiple incidents, forcing him to go to Grays Farm Station instead. Another resident, who lives at the end of a dead-end road, recounted two frightening break-in attempts while she and her children were inside. She said officers did not arrive until early the following morning.
“They never come until 6:30 in the morning,” she told officers, adding that abandoned houses and poor lighting in the area continue to attract criminal activity.
Others pressed the police on the lack of foot patrols, saying the decline in visible policing has eroded the sense of safety that existed when the outpost first opened.
Police officials attributed the reduced presence partly to manpower being diverted to major national events, including the OECS Assembly. They said patrols will increase during the Christmas season and promised to “immediately address” staffing issues at the outpost.
The Assistant Commissioner reported that overall crime is down, citing declines across multiple categories. But community leaders countered that statistics matter little when residents are afraid to walk home after dark.
“Crime may be down nationally, but if people don’t feel safe, we still have a problem,” one local leader told the panel.
Police urged the government and residents to help address broader environmental issues contributing to crime, including overgrown areas and abandoned homes used by youths avoiding school.
Officers also stressed the need for stronger parental involvement, warning that petty theft among students often escalates into more serious offenses if not addressed early. A school principal said theft of money, snacks and supplies is rising and asked whether youth intervention programs would be reintroduced.
Police said several programs exist in partnership with the Ministry of Education but insisted parents must “do what they ought to do.”
Superintendent Mitchell, head of Professional Standards, encouraged residents to formally report any case where police fail to respond, follow up or treat complainants properly.
“It is neglect of duty when an officer does not follow up on your report,” he said, noting that officers found culpable can face fines, reprimand or dismissal.
Police officials committed to several actions, including:
- Restoring consistent staffing and defined operating hours at the police outpost
- Increasing foot and mobile patrols through Golden Grove, Golden Grove Extension and surrounding communities
- Working with government agencies to clear abandoned properties and improve lighting
- Expanding collaboration with schools and youth programs
- Encouraging residents to report dissatisfaction to Professional Standards
The meeting ended with police and residents agreeing that crime reduction requires a joint effort.
“We’re not giving up,” a senior police representative said. “We need your support as much as you need ours.
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