The United Progressive Party (UPP) condemns, with shock and horror, the cold-blooded murder of George “Charlie” Barnes, a citizen and longstanding business owner, on Friday night, September 12.
This latest killing is particularly alarming in the face of official police reports telling the Nation that crime is down. Unfortunately, statistics on reported crime do nothing to comfort or compensate those who are the victims, nor do they help others to feel safer in their homes and business places and on the streets.
Let us face the facts: Residents are not satisfied with the level of attention or protection given by the authorities – from the Cabinet to the Legislature to the Police Force. The proliferation of illegal guns and drugs; the inadequacy of street patrols, especially at night; and the insufficiency of crime-fighting and crime-solving tools have combined to make adults prisoners in their homes and young people targets in the places they congregate.
No one feels safe, as even our elders – including former Governor-General Dame Louise Lake-Tack – are being targeted by burglars, while businesses are being forced to curtail operating hours to protect both employees and assets. And all this comes after the late MP Asot Michael was brutally murdered in the sanctity of his own home.
The United Progressive Party calls upon Public Safety Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers to do better by the people.
We demand a greater police presence in our neighbourhoods; the reinstallation of CCTV cameras on the highways and in the business districts; the establishment of the long-promised Forensics Lab; the equipping and training of Police personnel; and the updating of laws to tackle modern-day crime.
We also demand better security and preventative measures at our ports to interdict the flow of firearms, ammunition, and illicit drugs into our beleaguered country.
The reported reduction in statistics, at this time, does nothing to reduce the fear and trepidation that grip this Nation. We need ACTION now!
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It’s as if you’re using the man’s death to help boost your political career. Sorry for the tragic death and condolences to his family is all that’s needed.
exactly!!! Politically desperate and devoid of leadership and direction with a Little Black Boy at the helm…..or is it the HEM of Man Cow pants suit?
What does asot murder have to do with this … please don’t compare .. totally different scenario… butt betrayals… please go and campaign on some-other issues..
The last paragraph is unclear Gisele Issac. Reported reduction in what statistics – health or crime.
@ My finger is UPP
It has everything to do with all the unsolved murders in Antigua – go figure and hope u don’t become one of the statistic.
Well these comments proof why criminals are having a feel day. I guest politics is more important than human life. Maybe our society don’t mind the high crime because we would gotten off our butt and do something about it instead of just talk.
Im sure they didn’t get any money dumb young men. Yall will be caught though. Yall robbed that man at woods too in that Black CRV jeep we gonna get all of you its just time one of you love to travel to the states to hide out too not even that can save you. Yall won’t be able to sleep and will keep looking over your shoulders.. learn to see people things and leave it alone
The government should get solar powered streetlight with camera combination out of china to replace all existing streetlights system and help the police and government solve crime
RIP dear gentleman,those to that to you will pay for they action….one by one.
For once Pringle making some sort of sense. I don’t fully agree with parts of it but some of his suggestions are valid
The comments here “Eldread” the exception speaks to the lack of understanding and empathy as well as lack of the very basic human decency.
First this publication politicized the issue with its headline. Setting the stage for commentators to take sides and issue political bile.
It says and confirms that the country have become a bunch of scary cats frustrated and manipulated by many of the same individuals you defend.
The crime rate should be of concern to everyone who is not a criminal, or of criminal mind. What difference does it make at this time who wrote the article.
The fact is Antigua and Barbuda is rapidly becoming an authoritarian state, where citizens are afraid to speak publicly about the situation in the country in fear of retribution is an issue on to itself.
Anyone who disagrees I invite them to prove me wrong.
A businessman was murdered. Deal with that fact. Solve the crime and bring the accused to swift Justice.
WHAT THE HELL…! …CRIME IS DOWN: OR …FIGMENT OF IMAGINATION?
…IDIOTIC ASSERTIONS: … RECKLESS AND CALLOUS STATEMENT
***
Not engaging anyone, neither, in any:
(a) ‘…IDIOTIC ASSERTIONS: nor
(b) …RECKLESS OR CALLOUS DISCUSSIONS.’
***
Even with ‘…FIGMENT OF IMAGINATION,’ there are some claims that shall never be publicly made.
***
WHY?
(i) ‘…GUNSHOTS ALLEGEDLY RANG OUT IN GUNTHORPES- September 12, 2025:
(ii) …ELDERLY RESIDENT ALLEGEDLY ATTACKED AND ROBBED OF WALLET AND CONTENTS AND GOLD CHAIN: then
(iii) ‘…MY DEAR FRIEND, ‘…GEORGE ‘CHARLIE’ BARNES’ LIFE WAS SNUFFED OUT BY LONE GUNMAN AT HIS OTTOS HOME- September 12, 2025].
CONDOLENCES TO ORSON AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
***
IT NOW SEEMS THAT EVERY DARN ‘…PRAYER, IS A CURSE.’
KEEP ON PRAYING. ONE DAY IS NOT ENOUGH.
***
Now, professionally, sharing insights with all readers, including media friends: ‘…-DR DAVE RAY AND SANDRA CLARKE: CHARLES TABOR.’ ALL ELSE.
***
TAKE NOTE
(i) ‘…MURDERS MAY BE PREVENTED ONLY IF THE ATTEMPT WAS WITNESSED: by
(a) …AN ARMED POLICE OFFICER: or
(b) …A LICENSED FIREARMS HOLDER: or
(c) …BY ANY CITIZEN, USING ANY MEANS, SO POSSESSED:
CONSTITUTIONALLY ALLOWED.
[Section 4: Constitution Order: 1981].
***
EVENTS AND DAYS TO REMEMBER
That which potential victims, ‘…NEVER KNOW,’ and will ‘…NEVER KNOW’ when they will be killed:[Kahleel Simon: August 26, 2025: Charlie Kirk-September 10, 2025: Charlie Barnes: September 12, 2025].
***
FOLLOW THE CRIME TRIANGLE
They are:
(i) ‘…The heart-concealed ‘…CRIMINAL INTENT:
(ii) …You being the ‘…TARGETED VICTIM: and
(iii) …AN OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH ‘…SURPRISED DEADLY ATTACK.’
***
These constitute the ‘…THREE ELEMENTS OF THE CRIME TRIANGLE.’
***
‘…ALWAYS BE ON THE ALERT: …TRUST NO SHADOW
…ALWAYS BE CONSCIOUS OF THE ENVIRONMENT/SURROUNDINGS:
…ALWAYS BE OBSERVANT: and
…ALWAYS BE SUSPICIOUS.’
***
WALK SAFELY: …IMMEDIATELY REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES.
***
There is a solution bring back hanging . Antigua has to do its own thing to keep its people safe . People are calling forbthevdeath penalty for the killer of Charlie Kirk in Utah because that state allows it so let’s break some necks and that would send a clear message to them let’s protect our Nation right now America does as she pleases killing people international waters let’s do what is best to keep our people safe this madness has to stop
It’s heart breaking that everytime someone get murdered opposition members go on the media and blamed the Prime Minister and the minister of defense, that’s so poor. No matter who is in government and people want to do crime no body can stop them. The police and the ministers cannot be everywhere. I’m not red nor blue, I’m just a concerned citizen
People are living in fear or even going to exercise in certain areas because of this crap. The government DEFINITELY needs to implement a no nonsense policy and no sympathy approach towards crime and then and ONLY THEN is this crime thing will end.
@ Ratio.
You very statements tells the world you are an idiot or semi illiterate. Your idiotic reasoning is what’s poor.
By your reasoning “high crime is a fact of life, and has nothing to do with politics, policies or incompetence.
It’s distracting and sad that this country has so many like you.
@ Living and dying like Dogs
I totally agree with you, and I am absolutely sure when the UPP was in power Gaston, Cutie and the writer all use to chastise them for the crime situation. Can we forget how the ABLP took off with the murder at Heritage Quay? They (including Carvaa) made a killing of it, but now we should all shut up and accept it because ABLP can do no wrong.
We seem to forget how the ALP was masquerading and gloating over the crime rate during the Baldwin Spencer reign. The had assigned operatives bombarding the airwaves constantly. Percy Simon seemed to have had info before the crimes even happened but all that was not political then. There has never been another leader of a country anywhere on the planet, who has ever instructed criminals to conceal illegal guns from law enforcement after they had committed a crime. Do we really expect an improvement when illegal gun possession is not of any concern of the administration?
If the crime epidemic can not bring the ABLP supporters to question and criticize their Government lack of leadership on addressing the crime issues this moment.
Please do tell what will?
Just because you can take a cruises, jet off to NY, send your kids to schools in Canada, wear Rolex watches and gold chains, that you flaunt on your a cabin cruiser or on the beach; you are still living and dying like dogs.
Poverty, Mediocrity and Disparity
We have to make a choice: either we prioritize living in a prosperous, healthy and stable society, or we prioritize tribalism; we can’t have both.
If we continue to choose the later, we will keep on losing our grip on reality, and we’ll keep on living and dying dogs
Prove me wrong!
UPP should stop the grandstanding. Where were their crime-fighting strategies when they were in office? It’s easy to criticize from the sidelines
This is not about politics, it’s about survival. Guns are everywhere now, and if the opposition is pushing for solutions, that’s worth supporting
Call for cctv, police presence in communities forensic lab all makes sense but what about better salaries, risk allowance and proper medical insurance for the police to name a few.
Tragic, senseless, unacceptable YET NOTHING WILL BE DONE!!
The people wont take to the streets and demand answers from the prime minister and attorney general. You will hear the usual noises, but this senseless murder will just join the long list of unsolved murders in Antigua.
So now the UPP blaming this on the government now? There are criminals everywhere in every country. Jamal your statements are irrelevant. The government is doing all it can. Allow them
So what Andrew Holiness is doing in Jamaica to combat the scourge of gun violence across his island is not politics? What the president of El Salvador is doing to keep the Cartel and gangs from taking over his country, is not politics?
Even what the very unlikable Donald Trump is doing, bumming Iran, to even blowing up a boat in the Caribbean waters, isn’t politics?
Just reading these idiot comments from these ABLP fools, just makes my stomach turn.
Are these not acts and policies of these various governments to combat crime and criminality?
I am sorry, but Antigua must have some of the most brainwashed people in the entire western hemisphere. How the hell an administration get away with brainwashing so many people in such a small island.
These people seems to be not able to think for themselves, so they allow an inept government to think for them, and this is what they get, a nation of brainwashed individuals.
My goodness me.
Antigua is falling to shits as we speak people..and I don’t care who was running the country in the pass, there has been no time is the history of Antigua where you have multiple teenage murderers sitting in jail.
Go look at the prison population, and you would see what I’m talking about.
You have a 20 year old female sitting in prison for the kidnapping and brutal murder of a 9 year old girl..you have a 25 yr old young man for killing a sitting MP in his own home, you have a 16 year old for shooting a Syrian dead in his place of business, you have and 18 year old for stabbing a 16 year old to death..and I can go on and on and on.
Y’all better wake to hell up.
If the government and it’s policies has nothing to do with it, then y’all got the government y’all deserve, because y’all are IDIOTS!!!
Yes I said it, IDIOTS.
@ Islanman26,
Not all are idiots. But life in Antigua in their mind is beautiful so long as they are keeping up with the Jones.
What’s a little murder and robbery here and there while they can drive their late model cars and send their kids to private school.
Jumby knows who they are frightening. The chicken is coming home to roast soon.
UPP stop being hypocritical. You want to stop crime but the one thing that could change a man’s heart – prayer -you did not support it, because it was initiated during an ABLP administration, as if God sees colour. It doesn’t matter how many police are out there if the heart of man isn’t transformed by God, there will always be wickedness. This crime did not occur on the streets but at the man’s home. Even if the police got rid of all the guns, the hoodlums could still have met him at his home and stabbed him up. It’s time for the parties and nation to unite for what is good. Why fight against good initiatives like prayer for the wellbeing of the nation? What, you will only love Antigua if you are in government? United we rise, divided we fall! Each endeavoring, all achieving!
They puppies looking out for the little dropping off the tables of greed and graft. That’s what matters
What crime when they can show off in their late model cars with due free concessions.
Their purpose in life is to appear better than their neighbors.
Crime is an epidemic and their answer is a holiday propaganda of a day of whatever championed by the religious Charleston’s
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