Coronavirus inadvertently fighting crime

Barbados has recorded a 13 per cent drop in overall crime so far this year.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Erwin Boyce attributes much of the decline to the existing national curfew designed to halt the spread of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic which has so far claimed five lives in Barbados.

Boyce revealed to Barbados TODAY this afternoon that at April 11 last year, the total number of reported crimes stood at 2,285 compared to 1,998 this year  – a decline of 287.

The Deputy Commissioner also gave a breakdown of the various categories of crime.

“In terms of residential burglaries, we had 289 last year and 206 this year, which represents 83 fewer residential burglaries or a 29 per cent drop; and that is up to April 11,” the senior cop said.

Boyce also announced a 21 per cent fall off in commercial burglaries, explaining that this is reflected in the 61 cases this year as against 77 a year ago.  This means there have been 16 fewer burglaries from business places in 2020.

He also had much better news with respect to murders. He noted that there have been 10 murders so far, compared to a record 20 for the corresponding period last year.

“There was a 19 per cent decline in rapes which represent 13 cases this year as against 19 last year.  Most of the rapes were not committed by strangers but involved sex with juveniles or a type of date rape,” the Deputy Commissioner noted.

Regarding the current curfew, Boyce acknowledged that while the wearing of cloth face masks in public is legal especially during the COVID-19 crisis, some unscrupulous persons are likely to abuse the privilege to engage in nefarious acts.

“I suppose like everything else people would abuse them…people would find things nefarious to do.  That is why it is important people walk with their identification card so that they can be readily identified at any point in time, whether you go to the supermarket, are on the road or at the pharmacy.  Having your ID on you is something we would recommend strongly,” the senior police official emphasized.

He also put members of the public on notice regarding the designs on their face masks.

“While there are many descriptions of fabric masks, people must remember that camouflage/disruptive patterns are illegal. We don’t expect to see people wearing camouflage masks and disruptive pattern masks around their faces. That is not within the law,” Boyce cautioned.

“You can buy a mask, red, white, blue, pink or whatever, but disruptive patterns and camouflage, no. We would not recommend that.”

The senior police officer again warned motorists, particularly motorcyclists who perform stunts on the road even during the curfew that they will be caught and brought before the law courts.

He said curfew breakers in general will be prosecuted.

“We would want to encourage people to stay off the road. The directions of the Government in relation to how they should shop and adjust to the times, are there.  What is critical in all of this is social distancing,” Boyce stated.

However he said the police would not get in the way of people who are doing legitimate business. “We want to ensure there is no spread, so social distancing must be maintained at all times.”

A number of people have already been sent to prison for breaking the curfew which was extended from April 14 to May 3.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb