Benjamin Pringle Browne
Government Introduces Anti-Gang Bill as Leaders Debate Solutions to Crime Surge
The government of Antigua and Barbuda introduced the much-anticipated Anti-Gang Bill 2024, a move designed to curb the rise in gang-related activities that have threatened the nation in recent months.
Attorney General Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin spearheaded the discussion, presenting the bill as a critical tool to protect the country from what he described as a record-breaking surge in criminal activity.
AG Benjamin, addressing Parliament, emphasized the importance of taking swift action to combat the formation and spread of gangs in Antigua and Barbuda.
He described the bill as one of several necessary measures, noting that similar legislation is already in place in other Caribbean nations like Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados.
He underscored the role of law enforcement, praising officers for their tireless efforts in maintaining public safety. “We will not allow this issue to fester. We are determined to stop the spread of gangs and protect our shores,” Benjamin declared.
The bill, which defines a gang as a combination of two or more people engaging in criminal activity, proposes strict penalties for anyone involved in gang-related offenses.
These include up to 15 years of imprisonment for gang leaders and members, with even harsher penalties for those who recruit minors or target schools and places of worship. The legislation also includes provisions to punish those who conceal or assist gang members.
“This government is not joking. We are asking for the public’s cooperation, and the people of this country are pleased with the actions we are taking,” the Attorney General asserted.
However, Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle, while supporting the need for the bill, expressed concerns about the government’s delayed response to rising crime.
“This is necessary legislation, but it should have been done in consultation with others earlier,” Pringle remarked.
He questioned the government’s handling of the crime wave, attributing the reduction in gang-related violence to community efforts rather than government initiatives alone.
Pringle highlighted the need for a more proactive approach, particularly in schools, where early intervention could prevent young people from being drawn into gang culture.
Pringle, a former army officer, also pointed out the importance of community involvement and law enforcement’s presence in neighborhoods, stressing that these relationships had eroded over time.
“If we change our approach to how we deal with these situations, it will resonate with those who follow us. We need to start curbing the issue in our schools and provide our youth with better opportunities to prevent them from joining gangs,” he said.
Education Minister Daryll Matthew echoed this sentiment, agreeing that legislation alone would not solve the gang problem. He acknowledged that many young people involved in gangs likely did not want to be there and had been driven into the lifestyle by a lack of alternatives.
“We must ask why these youngsters got involved in gangs and how education can play a part in reformation and prevention,” Matthew said. He called for a stronger focus on education as a means of addressing the root causes of gang-related activity, emphasizing that government initiatives to expand educational opportunities, such as the development of the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, were critical to providing youth with better choices.
Matthew also highlighted the Prime Minister’s recent initiative to meet with gang members, a move he described as unprecedented in the Caribbean. He praised the leadership displayed during these interactions and noted that many gang members expressed a desire to leave the gang lifestyle if given the opportunity to return to school or pursue other productive activities. “It is easy to label these young people as criminals, but many of them joined gangs for protection and are now looking for a way out,” the Minister explained.
The introduction of the Anti-Gang Bill marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to tackle crime, but the discussions in Parliament made it clear that comprehensive solutions are needed.
From education to community engagement, the debate revealed that both the government and opposition recognize the importance of addressing the root causes of crime while ensuring that enforcement is strong and effective.
Debate on the bill and other related bills resumes on Friday.
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