Democratic Labour Party (DLP) Shadow Minister of Human Development and Poverty Alleviation Matthew Thorne has called on the authorities to fix the crime trend for Bajans.
In a statement on Sunday, Thorne questioned if the safety of Barbadians is no longer relevant to the Government.
Below is the full statement:
The small minimarts, shops and bars in communities across Barbados are clearly the latest targets of criminals in this country.
These businesses are at the heart of communities, the heart of how households in this country maintain their homes daily and we have deafening silence from the Minister responsible for Crime, who is clearly living in another reality.
In less than a week we have had businesses in Six Roads St Philip, St George, St Michael and St James attacked and cash stolen, in broad daylight. Nothing from the Minister with responsibility for Crime, when only a few weeks ago there were claims of the Peace Amnesty working and there being declining criminal activity.
The shadow Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Human Development, Matthew Thorne of the Democratic Labour Party is questioning if the safety of Barbadians is no longer relevant to the government.
Thorne said, “It is both distressing and infuriating to Barbadians from all walks of life that their livelihoods and lives are now constantly under attack with criminals robbing and threatening small shops, restaurants and even entrepreneurs.”
Surely the Minister responsible for crime is hearing and seeing the crime situation, with Bajans being held at gunpoint, with thieves taking hold of family run businesses.
“There must be a plan to manage the situation and bring to a halt this criminal activity. Where are the job opportunities, the community policing, rehabilitation programmes, community and sports programmes for our young people. Our young people deserve sustainable well devised opportunities. While the governments’ attention may be on the glitz and glamour of World Cup cricket, Bajans deserve care and attention now.”
At the heart of this are the livelihoods of working class Barbadians who are the ones continuing to suffer in our beloved country. The small enterprises, the little-known corner store, the up and coming hardware-based [business] run by Aunties, Uncles, Mummy or Daddy or a cousin.
This is a lived reality, we are now seeing this as a trend over the last few weeks, yet not a word from the Minister responsible for Crime or even from the Attorney General.
The people of Barbados deserve to feel safe in their own country. There was talk of a gang deal for Peace. Where is the peace? Because Bajans are no longer living peacefully, Are there no lasting effects of this?
Small community family-owned businesses are working hard to make ends meet, for 12 and 16 hours a day to keep their businesses open, and productive for themselves and their families. Their livelihoods and those of other Bajans should be protected.
