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WATCH: Lack of Trust in Police Hindering Crime Fight, Says Pringle

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WATCH: Lack of Trust in Police Hindering Crime Fight, Says Pringle
Opposition leader Jamale Pringle urges police to build trust with the community

Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Jamale Pringle, is urging the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to prioritize rebuilding trust with the community as part of efforts to address rising crime.

Speaking at a town hall meeting on Tuesday night, Pringle said many residents are reluctant to share information with law enforcement because they fear it will not remain confidential.

The Opposition Leader emphasized that public confidence in the force is critical if communities are to feel safe enough to cooperate in fighting crime.

Pringle reiterated the UPP’s commitment to supporting strategies that strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the public, noting that crime cannot be tackled effectively without the cooperation of citizens.

This story was first published by Antigua News on October 1, 2025: antigua.news/2025/10/01/watch-lack-of-trust-in-police-hindering-crime-fight-says-pringle. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

About the author

Shermain Bique-Charles is an accomplished journalist with over 24 years of dynamic experience in the industry. Renowned for her exceptional storytelling and investigative skills, she has garnered numerous awards that highlight her commitment to journalistic integrity and excellence. Her work not only informs but also inspires, making her a respected voice in the field.

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Comments (14)

  • Jistice October 1, 2025, 9:59 AM

    This is true
    Reply

  • Norissa panthier October 1, 2025, 10:35 AM

    Well some of the criminals are right in the force so what do you expect?crime will just keep rising because of trust? Sad but true
    Reply

  • Juju Bee October 1, 2025, 10:40 AM

    I would swear recently the police say the public had been very instrumental in their crime fighting efforts as of late. I could have heard wrong
    Reply

    • Rachelle October 1, 2025, 6:53 PM

      Jamal we need u on the other side. Come across
      Reply

  • Norissa October 1, 2025, 10:43 AM

    We have criminals in the force also and that’s why the crime rate will rise cause you can’t trust no one , its sad but true,some of the criminals outside got their back ups right in the force just hope and pray that the innocent doesn’t end up paying for the guilty
    Reply

  • Faithful National #1 October 1, 2025, 10:55 AM

    A call for greater collaboration is both timely and sensible. However, why sink back into the abused MO of the Useless Political Propagandists – that of resorting to LIES and HALF-TRUTHS just to connect with your lub-ugly, reactionary audience.….the Skerrit’s Pasture incident. If you listen carefully (try hard, just this once) to the presenter, you will readily and easily discern the fiction! A person was about to share this information on his cell phone with the police. Was it a private meeting? I doubt it. Antiguans swarm to trouble sites like ants to sugar. What proof does this practiced liar have that it was a member of the Force that leaked this information? Lying has become so natural to some Useless, Pathetic Propagandists that untruthful just fly off their tongues everytime they open their filthy mouths. By throwing in this ficticious tidbit, they Speaker might have done more harm than good in his pretentious call for better “synergy” between the Police and the public. Sickening!
    Reply

  • Rachel October 1, 2025, 12:48 PM

    This is a very important point from the Opposition Leader. No matter how many resources are given to the police, if people don’t trust them, the fight against crime will always fall short. Building respect, accountability, and transparency in the force will make citizens more willing to share information and work together. At the end of the day, crime affects every family and community, so cooperation is the only real solution.
    Reply

  • kayanne October 1, 2025, 12:51 PM

    These speeches are easy to make, but where are the solutions? We all know public confidence is important, but politicians need to stop stating the obvious and start putting forward real plans to deal with crime.
    Reply

  • Ben Simmons October 1, 2025, 7:37 PM

    It’s good to hear the Opposition Leader talking about trust between the police and the public. But beyond words, I’d like to see clear steps how exactly does the UPP plan to strengthen that relationship if they get into office?
    Reply

  • Informed citizen October 1, 2025, 10:39 PM

    Upgrades in technology and personnel are great, but Pringle is right without community confidence, even the best-equipped police can struggle to reduce crime.
    Reply

  • Ashley October 1, 2025, 11:34 PM

    Pringle is right. Trust is the missing link in the fight against crime. If people don’t feel confident in the police, they won’t come forward with information. Rebuilding that relationship is one of the most important things we can do.
    Reply

  • Teacher for Life October 2, 2025, 2:35 AM

    Lawd, I never thought I’d see the day when I would be in agreement with Pringle, but today is that day for he is indeed correct. That trust (or lack thereof), is a major factor here.
    Reply

  • Anonymous October 2, 2025, 3:43 AM

    The truth is, many people are afraid to cooperate with the police because they don’t believe their identities will be protected. Until that fear is addressed, trust will remain low no matter what party is in power.
    Reply

  • Aze October 2, 2025, 6:20 PM

    At least the Opposition is acknowledging that fighting crime isn’t just about force it’s about cooperation. If both government and opposition can agree on that, maybe we’ll finally see a united approach that works.
    Reply

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