The Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Tuesday called for quicker government action amid what it described as a full-blown crime crisis requiring urgent intervention.
DLP shadow legal affairs minister Corey Greenidge said not enough has been done to address escalating crime which cannot be managed by promises and incremental action.
He said: “Barbados today finds itself confronting a reality that cannot be ignored or softened by language: crime in this country has not only increased, but it has fundamentally changed the security landscape of our nation. What we are witnessing is not simply a rise in numbers, but a transformation in the character of criminal activity, particularly firearm-related violence, that is more targeted, more organised, and increasingly present in the everyday spaces where Barbadians live, work, and gather.”
Greenidge pointed to the frequency of gun-related crimes, noting last week’s shootings in St Lucy, which left one man dead, in Christ Church following the Oistins Fish Festival, and another gun-related incident at a public housing complex in The City that houses between 300 and 400 people.
He maintained that these incidents are no longer rare but have become normalised.
“Today, gun-related killings have climbed to levels exceeding 50 per year, and even more troubling is the growing normalisation of these events across communities and public spaces.”
While acknowledging that the government has identified hotspots and announced plans to establish a gun court, reopen community outposts, and strengthen forensic capability, Greenidge said the overall response appears fragmented, delayed, and lacking urgency.
“Many of the measures now being discussed are not new. The need for a gun court has long been recognised. The importance of forensic capacity has been well understood. The value of community policing has been established for decades. The question is not whether these are the right ideas; the question is why they are still being discussed as future developments rather than functioning elements of a robust national crime strategy.”
He argued that delays in implementation are costing lives.
“The continued delay in operationalising a forensic laboratory has direct consequences for the speed and effectiveness of criminal investigations and prosecutions. Identifying a location for a gun court is only the first step. What Barbadians need to see is implementation: legislation enacted, systems in place, and cases being heard with urgency.”
Greenidge said the issue ultimately comes down to policy direction, coordination, and accountability.
Referring to the DLP’s Commission on Crime report, he added that the crisis cannot be solved by enforcement alone:
“[The report] points to systemic weaknesses across the justice system, delays in the courts, under-resourced institutions, and the increasing normalisation of firearm-enabled crime.”
He stressed that the response must be coordinated and sustained.
“It must begin with intelligence-led policing that targets organised and repeat offenders. It must be supported by swift legislative action, including the prompt implementation of the proposed gun court and a review of existing laws.”
He added that efforts must also disrupt the inflow of illegal firearms and strengthen investigative capacity:
“It must be anchored in long-term prevention: addressing youth vulnerability, drug use, mental health, community breakdown, and comprehensive education reform.”
Barbadians are not expecting instant solutions and understand that crime is a complex issue, but they are “entitled to expect clarity, urgency, and visible progress”, said Greenidge. “They are entitled to know that what is being promised is being delivered. And above all, they are entitled to feel safe.”
(LG)
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