D.Gisele Isaac, the Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), is strongly refuting the Cabinet’s assertion that “crime is also at a new low.”
The most recent Notes reveal that 205 men and 10 women are currently held at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP), including those awaiting trial and those on remand. The reduction in the prison population, from over 300 inmates, is attributed to the decriminalization of cannabis possession in limited quantities, according to the Cabinet.
Additionally, the Cabinet claims that increased employment opportunities, particularly in the construction sector, have drawn many young males away from criminal activity.
However, Isaac argues that the daily news reports suggest otherwise, with armed robberies occurring almost daily. She asserts that the Executive seems disconnected from the actual situation in Antigua and Barbuda.
Isaac observes that citizens and residents are living in fear due to the crime situation, with the Police seemingly doing nothing to address it. As the SIDS4 conference approaches, and the Police focus on visiting delegates, Isaac questions whether locals will be left at the mercy of criminals.
Furthermore, she notes that the Police are not being equipped with the necessary tools to combat crime and have not implemented any new crime-fighting measures. Isaac suggests that change will only occur when the wealthy experience crime firsthand, as the criminal element does not discriminate based on gender, age, or political affiliation.
In response to these concerns, the Cabinet has decided to increase the number of officers at His Majesty’s Prison to enhance security and ensure a more favorable ratio of prisoners to security officers. According to the Notes, 20 young officers will be trained to fill vacancies resulting from retirement and resignations, as needed.
