AG on crime rate as man slain near police station

Despite Barbados recording its second shooting death in five days and 27th murder for the year, Attorney General Dale Marshall is assuring Barbadians that while he is concerned, “significant inroads” are being made in the fight against crime.

“What is keeping us awake at night, literally and figuratively, is the level of homicides and the use of firearms in those homicides.

“There is no doubt that the whole of the Government is, and more particularly, I, as Attorney General, very concerned but we are staying the course and we want Barbadians to stay the course with us,” Marshall told Barbados TODAY.

His comments came hours after the murder of 26-year-old Kadeem Renaldo Bispham, of Roach Village, St George, who was shot around 2:45 this morning at 2nd Avenue Gill’s Gap, Eagle Hall, St Michael.

The shooting occurred less than 100 metres from the Black Rock Police Station.

Last Sunday, 37-year-old Nicholas Mayers of Rowans, St George, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and head.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY, Marshall admitted he was concerned about the worrying levels of homicides.

However, he said recent statistics have shown that the crime level on the island was under control.

The AG was making reference to recent reports from Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith that there had been a 34 per cent reduction in major crimes so far for the year.

There was a record 49 murders in Barbados in 2019.

“Persons can take some comfort that the crime statistics are showing good signs of being under control.

“We have committed to the Royal Barbados Police Force that we will spare no effort in making sure that they have all, absolutely all, of the tools needed to fight this scourge and we have been satisfying that promise. As far back as our Covenant of Hope (Barbados Labour Party’s manifesto) we committed to the people of Barbados that the first call on our state resources will be law and order and we have stayed true to that commitment.

“The force is better equipped than it was when we came to office. We have embarked on a process of ensuring that the manpower resources of the force are better utilized.”

The AG once again called on Barbadians to play their part in the fight against crime.

He contended that police could not do it alone and urged the public to lend its assistance by reporting any information.

Marshall said while the force was doing its best in fighting crime, the results would not be seen overnight.

“We have long recognized though, that fighting crime does not lay only with the police force. It requires a multi-pronged attack and on multiple fronts – social services, housing, educational, community and such things as sanitation.

“We continue to impress on Barbadians that the crimes have their genesis in our communities and we have to acknowledge our roles in this fight. I keep saying that we, our homes and our neighborhoods, have spawned the criminal element and we have to be prepared to join in the fight,” the AG said.

“We are satisfied that from the many successes of the force, significant inroads are being made, but we must not expect a turnaround overnight. We will continue to fight the criminal element tirelessly and we will succeed.”
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb