VIDEO: PM Browne Orders Urgent High-Level Security Meeting On Monday Over Uptick in Crime and Violence

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called a national security meeting for Monday as his government moves to address what he described as a recent uptick in crime and violence in Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show on Saturday, Browne said the situation was serious enough to require a coordinated response involving the country’s major law enforcement and security agencies.

The meeting will bring together representatives of the police, Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Division.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Melford Nicholas is also expected to participate, with Browne indicating that increased surveillance will form part of the discussions.

The prime minister said the government is installing about 200 surveillance cameras but believes the network will need to be expanded.

Browne pointed to the recent shooting of two young men at the West Bus Station, saying the daylight incident in a busy area demonstrated the brazenness of some of those involved in criminal activity.

He also appealed for greater public cooperation with law enforcement, arguing that authorities cannot effectively tackle crime without information from residents.

Browne said the government has an existing cash-incentive programme for information leading authorities to illegal firearms and encouraged more people to use it.

He said information provided under the programme has remained confidential and has already contributed to firearms being removed from the streets.

The prime minister said tackling the recent violence will require what he described as an “all-of-society approach.”

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