Antigua’s Acting Police Commissioner, Everton Jeffers, has warned of a “national emergency” as youth violence surges across the country.
His comments follow murder charges laid against a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old within the same week.
“This is not normal,” Jeffers said in a statement. “We are seeing children involved in robberies, drug use, gang activity, and even murder. These are not isolated incidents – the country is at risk of losing an entire generation.”
He said the trend points to deeper failings in homes, schools, and communities, and called for urgent national dialogue and collective responsibility.
Jeffers also urged adults to stop blaming children and instead focus on teaching respect, empathy, and conflict resolution.
He noted the police force has stepped up community outreach to support at-risk youth but added, “We cannot do this alone. We need all of Antigua and Barbuda involved.”
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Thank you for this mr commissioner… i keep elaborating on the fact that a lot of the people in this country are so angry and ready to snap at any giving moment of conflict…. We are totally responsible for our environment we should practice the change we want to see in our country…. We should learn how to defuse conflict, teach out children to do the same and try to lift each other up… we are in a crisis the devil is in full steam we must use the same aggression … let’s do this Antiguans let’s put love first… God bless you all….