Antigua and Barbuda in Danger of Losing an Entire Generation to Violence – Top Cop
Acting Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers expresses concern over a troubling increase in violence among young people, emphasizing that all Antiguans should be worried. In just one week, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old were charged with murder.
“This is not normal. These are serious crimes, lives lost, families shattered, and the ages of those involved. We are seeing them caught up in robberies, violence, drug use, gang activities, and even murder. This is no longer a police problem, it is a national emergency,” he said in a statement.
Jeffers says if there’s no action, the country is in danger of having an entire generation wiped out.
“These violent acts are more than just crimes, they are signs of systems that are failing at home, school, communities….we have to stop pretending that these are isolated incidents. They are happening too often, too close to home and to kids who should be in classrooms or on football fields, not in courtrooms or prison cells”, he said.
He said the time to have “the difficult conversations” and “hold our young people and ourselves responsible for what we are not doing”.
According to Jeffers, adults often blame children for their behavior, but teaching respect, empathy, and conflict resolution is essential for students.
Meanwhile, the top cop says from his end, the force has expanded community policing programs for at-risk youth, “but we cannot do this alone. We need the whole of Antigua and Barbuda to be working along with us as we do so”.
This story was first published by Antigua News on August 3, 2025: antigua.news/2025/08/03/antigua-and-barbuda-in-danger-of-losing-an-entire-generation-to-violence-top-cop. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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