What to know:
- Government to introduce two dedicated courts for firearms offences, commonly termed gun courts
- One court will handle recent offences; the other will clear the pre-2025 backlog
- CCTV and alarm systems to be duty- and VAT-free from next month
- Dashcams and GPS devices to be duty- and VAT-free for one year from April 1
- New police station to be built at Six Roads Civic Centre
Two specialised gun courts are to be established to fast-track trials for firearms offences and tackle the mounting backlog of gun-related cases, finance minister Ryan Straughn has announced in Monday’s Budget speech.
Following criminal justice minister Michael Lashley’s announcement last week of a specialised court to deliver speedier trials and tougher deterrence, Straughn said there will be two gun courts — one to deal with recent offences and the other with those committed before this year.
He said: “These dedicated gun courts would allow gun-related cases to be heard more quickly and reduce the backlog in the justice system. At some point, we expect to see a reduction in these numbers, but until that time comes, one of the courts will deal with offences committed within the last year, while the second court will deal with the backlog of those offences committed more than a year ago.”
“The Barbados Police Service has done a wonderful job apprehending offenders, and with further digitisation and training, we expect to see these other cases being managed through the court system more efficiently.”
Delivering the Appropriations Bill in the House of Assembly, Straughn reiterated the government’s intention to upgrade accommodation for the Barbados Police Service, starting with the creation of a new station in the Six Roads Civic Centre.
In a bid to help homeowners increase their personal security, customs duties and VAT will be removed from the importation or installation of CCTV security surveillance systems and burglar alarms, from the beginning of next month.
Noting that the 2024 policy change ending the practice of police response to minor accidents was working well, Straughn encouraged drivers to install dashcams and urged insurance companies to provide a benefit for motorists who did so.
“Whilst this policy has worked well thus far, after consultation with the General Insurance Association of Barbados, we encourage that all vehicles install a working dash cam with a minimum of 30 gigs of storage on the vehicle to assist in keeping order on the road, as well as easy adjudication when accidents occur. We will encourage insurance companies to give a benefit where the dash cams are installed.”
He proposed that, from April 1, all purchases of dashcams and GPS devices for installation on vehicles be duty- and VAT-free on importation to Barbados for one year, regardless of their level of sophistication.
“With effect from April 1, 2027, purchases of dashcams and GPS devices will be subject to the new de minimis exemption rule,” he said, permitting the imports to be exempt from duty.
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