LETTER: I stand with Gaston Browne in the Fight Against Crime

By Jackson Peter Spencer

When the Hon. Gaston Browne stood behind the podium on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 to deliver an “Address to the Nation”, he did so as Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He was not speaking from a political platform, addressing supporters of the ABLP.

The Prime Minister was speaking in solidarity with all Antiguans and Barbudans who are fed-up and angry at the recent rise in violent crimes.

There is a vast difference between being the Prime Minister (the Leader of a Country) and being the Leader of the Opposition or the Leader of a political party.

A Prime Minister must always be responsible in his decision making, clear and concise in his actions, humble and empathetic in his policies. He must be willing to take the proverbial “bull by the horn”. He must firm and effective. The buck stops with him.

Prime Minister Browne’s address titled “Resolute in Protecting Our Nation: A United Stand Against Crime and Violence” gave a well-defined understanding of Government’s commitment to curb the rising crime situation.

He was straight forward with his declarations that’s citizens and residents must be able to live with an expectation of safety and security.

The pledges of support to the Police and other national security agencies, through direct financial interventions, increase in personnel, provision of equipment and transportation emphasizes that the Gaston Browne Administration takes its responsibilities extremely seriously.

However, the Government cannot do it alone. To defeat the criminal elements amongst us, all hands MUST be on deck.

The ship of state cannot continue to sail if those decked in blue are below deck seeking to drill holes so that they can claim the captaincy of a sunken ship.  

Collective responsibility starts with individual responsibility. Parents must be more aware and involved in the daily lives of the their underaged children. Citizens and residents should say something once they see something.

Our young people should be instilled with the mentality that they should strive to live to an age where they can only be considered ‘too old to die young’.

They are to adapt behaviours of respect for law and order, becoming productive and contributing members of society.

I always admire the Prime Minister’s ability to be frank and straightforward with the public. His words to the judiciary echoed my own internal thoughts. Criminals cannot continue to be given a slap on the wrist only to re-offend in quick time.

Punishments must not only fit the crimes, it must also deter any thoughts of future crimes.

Crime is a societal plagues propagated by a very small section of society. It affects all colours, creed or races regardless of religious or political affiliation.

The Prime Minister has made it clear that he will do his part in crime prevention, his Government will provide the necessary resources to the national security apparatus to fight and arrest this upsurge and to prevent any future escalations. What are you doing in the fight against crime?