Top police officer challenges ‘crime wave’ notion despite public concern

Deputy Commissioner of Police Irwin Boyce has refuted claims of a “crime wave” in Barbados, despite acknowledging “troubling issues” related to criminal activity. 

At a panel discussion organised by the Men’s Ministry of the Cave Hill Wesleyan Holiness Church, Boyce sought to present a nuanced view of the current crime situation.

He pointed to official statistics showing a six per cent decrease in overall crime from January to the most recent week, with only homicides showing a significant increase.

He acknowledged “a crime of violence that perhaps is making its rounds in terms of creating imaginations and provoking fear of crime”.

Boyce suggested that media coverage and public perception might be amplifying fears. “It has caused a society to become, I don’t want to say fearful but to be over-imaginative when it comes to criminal activity,” he said.

However, the deputy commissioner’s stance was challenged by Roger Husbands, chairman of Drug Education and Counselling Services (DECS), who expressed scepticism about official statistics. “Over the years, we’ve been seeing an increase, from where I stand, without stats, because I don’t trust stats,” Husbands remarked.

Husbands praised recent legislative actions to address crime, particularly efforts by the prime minister. He highlighted the urgency of addressing gang-related activities and revenge killings, calling for greater community cooperation with law enforcement.

“We have a big problem out there. The big problems we have out there are a lot of revenge killing and a lot of territorial wars,” Husbands said, criticising the culture of “snitching” that he believes hinders police investigations.

Community leader Winston I-ston Branch attributed youth crime to systemic failures in education and community support. He advocated for practical skills training and a re-evaluation of the education system, including the abolition of the 11-plus exam.

Criminologist Vernie Sobers emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of crime within communities. Drawing from her experience as a prison counsellor, Sobers highlighted the influence of social environments on behaviour and the need for positive role models.

“A lot of these young men who are in prison don’t see any other way,” Sobers observed. “It’s up to us to make sure that we are providing them with alternatives, that we are providing them with opportunities so that they don’t have to turn to crime and violence.”

Sobers highlighted the influence of social environments on behaviour and the importance of positive role models. “And so, the thing is, we learn through socialisation. We never stop learning. You can be 80 and learn something new. So what tends to happen is that we always mirror our society. And we learn based on our social environments. And so, if it is that your social environment is not conducive to certain things, then you are going to pick up on certain things.”

She also emphasised the role of media and entertainment in shaping young minds, agreeing with Branch’s concerns about the glorification of violence. 

“The DJs glorifying music are the DJs playing the music about what’s going on in the streets. And I mean, you know, the young people—they are in the streets. And they are hearing these things. And they are seeing these things. And they are thinking that, you know, well, this is what life is about. And so they mirror what they are hearing, what they are seeing. And so, it’s up to us, the older ones, to make sure that we are setting the right example.” 

(RG)