Government Says Existing Laws Can Address Vandalism, Focus Turns to Detection

The government says existing laws are sufficient to address vandalism, as it focuses on expanding surveillance to identify people damaging public facilities.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant addressed the issue Thursday after being asked whether Cabinet was considering stronger fines for vandalism at bus shelters, playgrounds and sporting facilities.

“There are already regulations on the books, laws on the books, that can address these problems,” Merchant said during the post-Cabinet news briefing.

He said the main difficulty was identifying those responsible and gathering the evidence needed to take action against them.

“It’s always a matter of detection, and hence surveillance is required,” Merchant said.

The government is moving ahead with plans to install surveillance cameras at strategic locations across Antigua and Barbuda. Merchant said the long-term objective is to expand the system throughout the country.

“That is why the government is pushing that programme for placement of surveillance cameras at strategic locations and eventually to have the entire country blanketed for detection and also prevention,” he said.

Merchant said Cabinet discussed vandalism Wednesday as part of a wider examination of youth conduct, violence and conflict resolution.

He pointed specifically to damage at bus shelters around the country, which he said Cabinet believes is often caused by young people.

No new penalties or changes to the existing laws were announced.

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