Government sets up National Advisory Council on Citizen Security

Prime Minister Mia Mottley on Thursday announced the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Citizen Security to tackle the crime scourge head on.

Speaking at a press conference at Ilaro Court, Mottley made clear it was not merely another council but it will ensure there is broad feedback and buy-in into national policies to counter gun and gang violence.

“The Government of Barbados has agreed that we will establish immediately a national advisory council on Citizen Security. And this council on citizen security is intended to be able to have the widest possible ownership of the things that we must consider and do in order to be able to ensure that Barbados does not fall down the rabbit hole that regrettably other countries have fallen down into as a result of the access in particular to assault weapons and automatic weapons.”

The council will be headed by Professor Velma Newton. The Deputy Chairman will be President of the Senate Reginald Farley. It will include security experts, business leaders, religious leaders, union officials and youth representatives.

( Read full story in Thursday’s e-paper)