For Barbadians watching our homicide count climb this year, the rising violence feels uniquely local and deeply personal. But step back, and an uncomfortable truth emerges: our island is caught in a regional epidemic of violence that’s gripping the Caribbean from Trinidad to Turks and Caicos. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the region continues to record some of the highest homicide rates in the world. In 2022, the Turks and Caicos Islands topped the list with 76.6 per 100 000 people, followed by Jamaica at 49.3 in 2023—a slight improvement from the year before, but still alarmingly high. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (40.4), Trinidad and Tobago (39.5), and Saint Lucia (36.7) also reported troubling figures. Meanwhile, Haiti’s homicide rate of 41.2 reflects the deepening crisis in that politically unstable nation.
While Barbados’ homicide rate stood at 15.3 per 100 000 in 2022, data from the Barbados Crime Blog indicates a mid-year count of 29 homicides as of July 14, 2025. If this trend continues, the island could see a projected total of around 60 homicides for the year, suggesting a notable increase in the national rate compared to previous years.
While some nations continue to struggle, others—like Jamaica—show that progress is possible. Once among the region’s most violent countries, Jamaica has achieved its lowest murder count in 25 years. Though challenges such as gang activity and budget constraints persist, the downward trend is noteworthy. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang, “As of May 29, the murder rate is 43.3 per cent below what it was last year… a reduction of some 210 murders compared to this period last year. This is the lowest rate of homicide on the island since 1991.” Jamaica’s experience underscores that with strategic investment, sustained planning, and transparent leadership, meaningful gains in public safety are possible.
Dr Chang attributed this achievement to multiple factors, including the expansion of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and strategic investments in both crime reduction and community engagement. Notably, the JCF grew from under 11 000 to 14 000 officers, with 6 000 new recruits trained—even during the pandemic. The government also invested in infrastructure, completing 18 new police stations, with two more nearing completion, six under construction, and another six in advanced planning.
However, the initiative that stood out most to me was the integration of technology. Officers are now equipped with modern digital tools, replacing traditional notebooks with real-time systems that support intelligence gathering, reporting, and improved operational response.
As a Caribbean technologist, I had to dig deeper to uncover the digital engine behind Jamaica’s policing gains. Central to this transformation is Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake, whose IT-driven leadership has modernised the Jamaica Constabulary Force. With academic credentials in computer science, MIS, and a PhD focused on policing information systems, Dr Blake has replaced legacy systems with a robust digital infrastructure. He has championed expert forecasting tools, MIS platforms, and IT governance, while overseeing over J$8 billion in tech investments and achieving ISO 9001 certification—firmly establishing the JCF as a regional model for tech-enabled policing.
One of the most innovative outcomes of this transformation is Constable Smart, a conversational AI system developed by the Amber Group and deployed by the JCF. Designed to support both administrative and public-facing duties, Constable Smart functions as a virtual officer, greeting users with:
“I am Constable Smart, your law enforcement AI assistant… How can I assist you today?”
It facilitates voice-based interactions in English, Jamaican Patois, and other languages using advanced speech synthesis, and can respond to legal and procedural questions, take official statements, and automatically log reports into the JCF’s database.
This allows officers to spend more time in the field, focusing on community safety. Outside the station, Constable Smart connects with surveillance cameras to help detect traffic violations and issue tickets. Behind the scenes, it uses smart technology to understand speech, follow procedures, and apply legal knowledge—making policing faster, more accurate, and better aligned with local needs.
With such innovative and multidisciplinary approaches driving Jamaica’s crime reduction, it’s understandable why many Barbadians feel frustrated when policy conversations here seem narrowly focused—such as the recent public debate over car window tint. While tint regulations may be part of a larger security strategy, the absence of clear, coordinated messaging has left the public uncertain about the government’s overall crime-fighting direction.
What stands out in Jamaica’s approach is the openness and transparency shown by its police leadership, who have willingly shared aspects of their declassified strategies. This level of communication builds public trust and fosters accountability—two essential ingredients in any national security agenda.
Barbados could benefit from introducing—or fully operationalising—digital policing systems that support real-time data access, automated reporting, and smarter deployment of resources across high-risk areas.
Equally important is aligning recruitment with digital capability. Jamaica’s expansion of its police force has been matched by deliberate efforts to upskill officers in the use of technology and data-driven methods. Crucially, this digital transformation has been championed from the top: Commissioner Blake is himself a trained technologist and leads the IT vision for the force, even if not directly hands-on. His leadership has ensured that technology is embedded not just operationally but strategically.
For Barbados, this means not only attracting new recruits but also investing in their digital readiness—from cybersecurity awareness to AI-assisted operations. When paired with clear, transparent communication about national security priorities—as demonstrated by Jamaica—these efforts can help restore public confidence and signal a more strategic, forward-looking approach to tackling violent crime.
Steven Williams is the executive director of Sunisle Technology Solutions and the principal consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services. He is a former IT advisor to the Government’s Law Review Commission, focusing on the draft Cybercrime bill. He holds an MBA from the University of Durham and is certified as a chief information security officer by the EC Council and as a data protection officer by the Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB). Steven can be reached at Mobile: 246-233- 0090; Email: steven@dataprivacy.bb
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