Joint operation to arrest gun crime to go on longer

Operation Restore Order will continue indefinitely, with Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce reporting significant success in arresting the spate of gun violence that triggered the launch of the initiative.

He said the joint operation involving police and the Barbados Defence Force, which was rolled out to deal with an upsurge in gun crime in the latter part of 2022, will continue beyond the initial three-month period which ends this month.

“At this time, I am happy to report that a large measure of success has been achieved [and] this operation will no doubt continue for some time,” the police chief announced on Wednesday in the presence of Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Dale Marshall as he addressed the Annual Grand Conference of the Barbados Police Service at the District ‘A’ Police Complex.

He said that since the start of the operation in December last year, 11 firearms and 142 rounds of ammunition have been recovered.

“Fifty-eight persons were arrested to date – 16 for firearms and ammunition possession, 42 persons were for drug-related offences; 9 840 persons were searched and 2 855 vehicles were stopped and searched,” Boyce reported.

He added that border security was critical in the crackdown on illegal guns and told the audience that the main partnership and collaboration with other border security stakeholders remain vibrant. “This is certainly necessary since firearms continue to make their way into the hands of criminals or the criminal element. And since they are not manufactured here, acquisition through our borders is the logical conclusion to draw,” the Police Commissioner said.

Updating the country on other areas of crime, Boyce said there were 1 202 drug cases last year compared with 962 the year before, representing a 25 per cent increase.

“Cannabis and cocaine remain the focal controlled drugs of choice by traffickers and users. However, small quantities of ecstasy, Alprazolam and other products of the meth family have come to our attention by our interaction with some of the users,” he said.

On major crimes overall, the Police Commissioner said there were 947 in 2022, compared to 967 in 2021.

“Noteworthy, the [number of] overall major crimes for 2019 before COVID-19 restrictions was 1 729. This clearly suggests that year-on-year, the Police Service has been able to manage the crime situation within the country,” Boyce contended.

According to him, an increase in road accidents is also a concern for police. The top cop reported a figure of 7 001 accidents last year, with 5 849 the previous year.

“Although there was a 20 per cent increase in the overall total, there was a significant decrease in fatal accidents, from 15 in 2021 to 9 in 2022, a decrease of 40 per cent,” said Boyce.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Boyce told the conference that community policing strategies will be reviewed.

“As an organisation, we not only recognise the impact of crime on such deliverables as health care, public safety, social interaction, economic activity and other aspects of development but also understand the importance of public participation in trying to reshape society to the extent that it serves as an effective challenge to disorder.

“It is within this context that we have taken the decision, at the executive level, to reassess our approach to community policing.  We find this necessary if we are to succeed with our mission to deliver high-quality service, in partnership, with our communities,” the police chief declared.

He said that although some Neighbourhood Watches are active, it would be ideal to increase the numbers to provide greater coverage in some communities, especially those prone to criminal activity.

“We have also engaged in reassurance policing in an effort to calm the perceptions of members of the public that crime is out of control,” he added.

The theme of the conference which concludes on Thursday is Innovative Policing: Maintaining Legitimacy, Enhancing Efficiency and Enabling Effectiveness as a Service Delivery.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb