A pervasive fear of crime is forcing Barbadians to alter their routines and social habits—even though most have not been direct victims—according to new research that points to a crisis of confidence in public institutions and growing anxiety across the island.
The sobering findings, contained in a study on the fear of crime in Barbados, conducted by the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, were presented by Aliya Trotman, a University of the West Indies Cave Hill student intern at a stakeholder forum on Friday at Baobab Towers, Warrens.
Trotman said: “Only 37 per cent of respondents were actually victims of crime, yet 90 per cent expressed some level of fear. This highlights fear as something that is socially constructed and not solely experience-based.”
The research utilised a mixed-methods approach to better understand the psychological and social dimensions of crime anxiety. It found that Barbadians—particularly those in urban parishes like St Michael—are adopting increasingly defensive behaviours: avoiding areas deemed unsafe, reducing social outings, and fortifying their homes.
“One respondent said: ‘Anytime I’m out at night, I keep someone with me. I’m hypervigilant and I call someone on my way home’,” Trotman shared. Some even reported contemplating personal gun ownership, with one noting: “I installed cameras and was thinking of getting a gun, which costs $10 000.”
The anxiety is not driven primarily by traditional media, according to the research. In fact, 80 per cent of respondents attributed their fear to neighbourhood stories and community gossip, compared to just 10 per cent who said the media influenced them.
Psychologically, the impacts are severe. Barbadians—especially those who have experienced violent incidents such as assault, robbery or burglary—report symptoms including paranoia, insomnia and chronic pain. Some now avoid wearing jewellery, socialising after dark, or engaging with strangers.
“People are changing how they dress, how they move, and how they socialise. It’s altering not only behaviours but the entire rhythm of daily life.”
But the findings further highlighted a breakdown in public confidence in key institutions.
“Only 6.7 per cent of persons believed the justice system was effective at deterring crime,” Trotman revealed. “Twenty per cent said outright it was not—and a significant 33 per cent gave no response, suggesting disengagement or disillusionment.”
Participants also pointed to socioeconomic hardship as a primary root cause.
“One person said: ‘Crime pays more than minimum wage.’ Another said gang leaders are the ones supplying food and meeting basic needs,” Trotman reported.
Allegations of institutional corruption were also flagged, with one respondent stating: “The police are in bed with the criminals.”
Another pointed to a decline in parenting and community values, saying: “Parents are not parenting… and schoolchildren are smoking in uniforms with no consequences.”
Despite these concerns, 83 per cent of respondents supported increased police presence, community-based programmes for youth, and stiffer penalties—indicating strong demand for targeted but non-punitive responses. Only 3.3 per cent endorsed militarised youth interventions such as boot camps.
Among the solutions offered:
• Vocational training and mentorship for at-risk youth
Educational reform to support non-academic learners
Job creation with higher wages
Trauma-informed policing and mandatory body cameras
Civilian oversight boards made up of trusted community members.
Trotman explained: “Communities would nominate respected members—like teachers, elders or faith leaders—to sit on boards and advocate when there’s a sense that justice has not been fairly served.”
She stressed that “fear has societal costs. We’re seeing fragmentation within communities. Older people are isolating, the youth are disengaging, and institutions are losing credibility.”
The economic implications are no less worrying.
“Crime is costly. And if tourists begin to see Barbados as unsafe, the entire country pays the price,” Trotman cautioned, adding that “Barbadians deserve safety—not just from crime, but from the fear of it. Now is the time to move from reaction to restorative, inclusive, and future-focused action.”
(SZB)
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