Public service vehicle (PSV) operators have voiced growing fears over the recent spate of deadly shootings, calling on the government to take urgent action to arrest escalating violent crime which they say threatens their safety and livelihoods.
Chairman of the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT), Roy Raphael, highlighted the significant impact of violent crime on the privately-run PSV industry, saying operators are increasingly concerned about the potential danger.
“While the start of the new school term went well with no major incidents, we have worries about the state of crime in the country. We are very concerned because of what is happening these days, and we fear it may trickle down to the PSVs because we move large numbers of persons,” Raphael told Barbados TODAY.
“We basically want to urge the government to do something about this crime situation. It will have a significant effect on us generally as public service vehicle operators. You know that in the past, some of our operators have been attacked, which causes a lot of people now not to work after 6 o’clock, and this would affect commuters generally.”
Raphael stressed that the crime situation would affect all sectors of society at some point and urged authorities to take decisive action. He suggested that the government initiate a national discussion on crime, involving all relevant stakeholders.
“I know there is the minister responsible for Crime Prevention, Corey Layne, and there is the Democratic Labour Party’s Commission on Crime, but I think it has got to the point now where everybody needs to get involved,” he said.
The AOPT official further called on those contributing to the violence, particularly gun-related crime, to put down their weapons and resolve their issues through dialogue.
“I am going to appeal to those persons who continue to create issues in terms of the gun crime to cease, put down your guns. If there are issues pertaining to gang war, have a discussion and see if you can have those matters resolved. It is going to affect Barbados generally. So, that is my appeal to them at this stage,” he added.
The PSV operators’ plea comes in the wake of a violent weekend in the country. In the early hours of Saturday morning, three people were shot dead and eight others injured when masked gunmen stormed the Majestic Bar on Nelson Street, The City, and opened fire just before 2:00 a.m., according to police.
On Monday night, another shooting took place in St Christopher, Christ Church, leaving one man with multiple injuries.
At a press conference on Sunday, Commissioner of Police Richard Boyce revealed that authorities were considering implementing a gun amnesty programme to reduce the number of illegal firearms in circulation. The initiative would allow individuals to surrender their weapons without facing prosecution.
“We need to get these firearms out of the hands of the criminals. A gun amnesty provides a way for persons to hand over their firearms without fear of legal repercussions,” Commissioner Boyce said. He emphasised that the amnesty would be part of a broader effort to curb gun violence and prevent further bloodshed.
The police chief also did not rule out the possibility of implementing curfews in high-crime areas, particularly during nighttime, when most shootings occur.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
