Addressing Rising Violent Crime Levels in Barbados: Expert Calls for Stronger Police-Citizen Partnerships

Barbados is on the brink of a public health crisis from rising levels of violent crime, according to a criminologist who is calling for stronger partnerships between police and citizens to address the problem.

In a report entitled Organised Crime and Its Implications for Barbados, Kirk Alleyne who is also criminal psychologist emphasised the crucial role that civilians play in crime-solving. He urged The Barbados Police Service to prioritise strengthening its relationship with the public as it establishes a new Serious Organised Crime Unit.

“It is imperative that citizens be made aware that the country is on the precipice of a public health crisis and the need for their cooperation,” Alleyne wrote in the report. “All efforts should be made to improve the trust and confidence that citizens have in the police.”

Alleyne outlined a multi-pronged approach for tackling crime and violence, with police-citizen cooperation at its core.

“The citizen-police relation is one of the most important measures to stemming the rate of violent crimes and ensuring that persons do not operate with impunity,” he said.

The report recommended several initiatives to enhance trust and collaboration, including community outreach programmes, public awareness campaigns about organised crime dangers, and support for witnesses to improve public confidence. Alleyne also called for partnerships with schools, community centres and religious institutions to provide alternative pathways for at-risk youth.

While commending the government’s plans for the anti-gang unit, Alleyne suggested additional strategies such as intelligence-led policing, multi-agency cooperation, disrupting criminal financial networks and implementing monitoring systems.

He stressed the importance of international collaboration, saying: “Strengthened partnerships with international agencies and neighbouring countries to combat cross-border organised criminal activities” were crucial.

The report also highlighted the need for legislative reforms and policy measures to address socioeconomic factors contributing to youth involvement in organised crime, such as unemployment and lack of educational opportunities.

Alleyne urged the police to “embark upon trust building activities, whereby they operate with transparency, professionalism and accountability”. He added: “The collaborative relationship between citizens and police is crucial to ensuring a safe and stable community.”

The criminologist emphasised that all strategies should be continually evaluated and adapted based on data-driven insights to ensure their effectiveness in reducing firearm violence and dismantling organised crime networks.

Alleyne’s proposal for enhanced intelligence-led policing involves “gathering actionable intelligence on organised crime networks operating within Barbados” and “utilising advanced technology and data analytics to monitor and track criminal activities”. This would encompass efforts to combat firearms trafficking, money laundering and drug trafficking.

The criminologist also emphasised the importance of financial regulations in combating organised crime. He called for the enforcement of “stringent regulations on money laundering and ensure compliance with international standards to cut off funding sources for criminal organisations”.

In addition to these measures, Alleyne suggested that The Barbados Police Service should launch public awareness campaigns to “educate the public about the dangers of organised crime and firearm violence and promote a culture of non-violence, discouraging the youth from joining gangs”.

The report underscores the vital role of community participation in crime prevention and detection. Alleyne noted that “citizens serve as eyes and ears for the police and the police operate as agents of protection and service for citizens”. He encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities, highlighting the importance of public cooperation in maintaining community safety.

Alleyne’s recommendations extend beyond policing strategies to address underlying social issues. He advised the police service to advocate for policy reforms that tackle socioeconomic factors contributing to youth involvement in crime, such as unemployment and limited educational opportunities.

As Barbados grapples with rising crime, Alleyne’s report provides a roadmap for potential solutions. The effectiveness of these strategies, he notes, will depend on continuous monitoring, evaluation and adaptation based on real-world outcomes.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb