BCCI head: Businesses increasing security because of crime situation

ith widespread concern over high prices, merchants signal they may pass on the cost of increased security measures to customers as crime prevention takes priority amid a worrying spike in gun crime, Barbados TODAY has learned.

President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), James Clarke, disclosed that merchants are being forced to increase security in light of an upsurge in gun violence, pointing to a brazen shooting incident in the crowded Sheraton Centre Mall as a troubling example.

Clarke said: “People complain about the price of things, and with all of that extra security, all of that gets passed off. So, it drives up the cost of doing business. It [gun violence] has been going on for too long and it seems to be accelerating, and that’s not good for this country.

“If you have to have extra security, more people, more cash in transit, fewer people interested in taking cash—they want you to pay with a card instead—longer hours and extra lighting, and all these things…all of this drives up the cost of doing business.”

He added: “The concern is for people who are going to patronise those businesses; they don’t feel comfortable. Maybe they may not go, or maybe they may only go at certain times when they feel more comfortable. But these things are happening in the middle of the day. When is a good time to go?”

Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets once stores upgrade their security because businesses need to cover their costs, Clarke reasoned.

“In our business, we have security, and over the years, we have had to up it, and up it. There were times when it was only a certain time of day, and we had to up it, and up it, and up it because of what’s going on,” he said.

Clarke described the current increase in violent crime as very serious and concerning, especially with the approaching Yuletide season.

“The impact is one of general unease and concern for your safety, especially with the upcoming holiday season when there are a lot more people out and about, usually longer shopping hours, and the brazenness of some of these attacks in broad daylight and in public areas,” he said.

On Wednesday, another key spokesperson for the business community, Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Trisha Tannis said the shootings in crowded public places such as shopping malls are of particular concern to business owners and raise questions about how assault weapons are ending up in the hands of young men in the first place.

The comments of both business leaders come on the heels of a government report revealing a dramatic surge in murders this year, with 45 people slain compared to 20 in 2023. The death toll brings Barbados close to its pre-COVID-19 pandemic peak when there were 50 homicides in 2019.

Tannis suggested that authorities place greater focus on border security as part of a broad-based approach to tackling the troubling rise in gun violence that is adversely affecting businesses.

She expressed concern that Barbados could become hostage to individuals intending to target others indiscriminately unless the authorities move quickly to stem the flow of firearms into the island.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb