PM urges Barbadians to take responsibility in fight against crime

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has urged Barbadians to stop harbouring criminals, glorifying violence, and turning a blind eye to young people “drifting into trouble”, warning that law enforcement alone cannot keep the country safe.

Speaking at the installation of Barbados’ second President, Lt Col the Most Hon Jeffrey Bostic, during the Independence and Republic Day Ceremonial Parade and National Awards Ceremony at Kensington Oval on Sunday, Mottley said governance and public safety were “shared responsibilities” that required better choices in homes and communities.

Her appeal comes amid a spate of violent incidents that have shaken the island. In the most recent cases, which occurred on Saturday, a 30-year-old St Philip resident died after being injured in an altercation, and two juveniles were injured by gunfire in a separate incident.

Mottley said that while law enforcement remains critical, it is insufficient on its own to tackle the problem.

“We will continue to listen parish by parish and rub shoulders,” she said, “recognising, however, that no government, however caring and however capable of achieving the large and small things, can do it alone… We cannot, my friends, build this Barbados alone.”

She continued: “The truth is that when we walk and talk about crime, we know that reclaiming our communities is also at the centre of it and not just simply law enforcement. If we are to keep Barbados safe and prosperous, then we must also not just allow the police and the courts to do their work, but the choice that we make in our homes and in our neighbourhoods is equally important.”

The prime minister urged Barbadians to reject complicity in criminality.

“The choice not to harbour criminals or wrongdoing, the choice not to glorify violence by signs or actions or lyrics, the choice not to turn away when a young person is drifting into trouble, but instead to guide and to open doors,” she said.

President Bostic reinforced this message in his inaugural address, drawing on his personal experiences growing up in Bridgetown. He launched the Chapman Challenge, a national initiative calling on adults to mentor young people, especially in communities where opportunities and guidance are scarce.

“The Chapman Challenge is not just a programme,” he said. “It is a national call to action. It is a challenge to every adult to guide a child, and a challenge to every young Barbadian to rise above their circumstances. We must ensure that every child has the guidance to become a model citizen.”

Both leaders stressed that creating a safer, stronger Barbados is a collective responsibility.

Mottley noted that homes, neighbourhoods and communities must play an active role in shaping the choices of young people, while Bostic highlighted the transformative power of mentorship, community engagement and positive role models.

“Barbados will remain a loyal and leading vessel in the fleet of CARICOM nations,” President Bostic said. “And to the rest of the world, Barbados will continue to speak clearly, guided by the words of the Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow: friends of all, satellites of none. Let us go forward with dignity, discipline, and quiet resolve.”

He concluded: “Let us be the generation that turns resolve into renewal, service into strength, and purpose into prosperity.” (LG)