In an effort to curb gang violence and promote rehabilitation, Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, Gaston Browne, held an evening meeting at Perry Bay with several members of the Grays Farm Killers (GFK) gang. This meeting followed a prior engagement with the 2Drilly gang, underscoring the Prime Minister’s commitment to address gang-related issues in the community.
Prime Minister Browne described the meeting as highly productive, with discussions centered on rehabilitation strategies, employment opportunities, and skills building. The focus was on preventing further gang warfare and violent retaliations, a sentiment echoed by the GFK members who expressed their gratitude for the Prime Minister’s interventions. These efforts have reportedly helped avert planned gang warfare and retaliations.
The Prime Minister noted that the GFK members, primarily teenagers, showed a strong desire to establish a truce with rival gangs to achieve lasting peace. As a gesture of this commitment, the groups have agreed to a cessation of hostilities, with a meeting scheduled at the Villa Community Centre on Thursday. Prime Minister Browne expressed his satisfaction with this decision, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to these young men for assistance.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Browne was visibly moved by the injuries sustained by some of the gang members, including stab wounds that had limited their mobility. He also highlighted the issue of school dropouts among these youths, driven by fear of retaliation.
To address these challenges, Prime Minister Browne announced plans to enroll the gang members in the YEEP second chance program and ABICE for skills building. Additionally, a truce meeting is planned for Thursday, followed by a football friendly at Turf on Factory Road over the weekend to promote reconciliation and rekindle friendships.
Further follow-up meetings and initiatives are being finalized to support the development and reform of the gang members. Prime Minister Browne commended Minister Daryl Matthew and other community leaders for their support and encouragement of the youth to engage in positive development.
This initiative marks a hopeful step towards peace and rehabilitation, reflecting the Antigua government’s dedication to fostering a safer and more inclusive community.
This issue is not unique to Antigua & Barbuda. It is also the case in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia, etc. Crime & Criminal activities, Youth and Gang Violence are growing concerns throughout the region. Since it is necessary that New Solutions MUST be found to address Old Problems, the regional Governments MUST experiment with novel ways to address these challenges. The Institution of Fire Engineers – Caribbeaan And South America (IFE CASA) is one of the vehicles being used by the respective Education and Training Ministries to Add Value/Bring Solutions to our challenges. I can be reached on my mobile for further details: (868) 263-8149
Big grown men, who should be examples to the youths..
Gaston should amend the law to jail them, but he is hand in gloves with them.OMG!
But what Margeee RastarMarn seeing dere nuh!!!
So what Gaston saying is that he know who is causing the mayhem and chaos, and won’t do anything about it but make a deal wiff Dem!!!
Garcan send mistadem to mine salt on Barbuda nuh for 30 days at a time till dey get their act together!!!
You have mistadem coming on forum and displaying their @$$niss signs!!!
Gaston Garcan you sound like you is more of the problem dan the solution!!!
Skerrit doe come trying to do the same ting yeh if allyou know who is GangMan in DA is!!!
how much of dem nuh dere is on DA like dat???
Round mistadem up and put mistadem in a Mandatory Training Camp fixing Dominica Roads and infrastructure if is too much time dey have to plan killings and push poison among the masses!!!
Doe send Mistadem StockFarm yeh to stay dere and get fat put mistadem to do real work go clean up the Landfill dere or something!!!
I don’t know of any other prime minister having direct negotiations with gang members. I guess Gaston is very comfortable being in the company of these gang bangers because he acts and talks like them.
Comrade Ralph meeting and greeting a convicted murderer; Gaston ( the Top Dog) urging gang members to get rid of the guns used in the commission of a crime; Melissa ( PM’s wife) boasting about her navy seals and snipers; we seem to have thugs, bandits and mobsters in our governments.
Our countries need servant leadership not corrupt and polluted dictatorship.
Rumor has it that the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis made a deal with dem fellas!!!
According to the rumor is Mista give them pardners a deal where he giving them a Monthy stipend so dey don’t go forming the @$$ all over the Place,,,
https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/st-kitts-nevis-denies-paying-gangs-to-secure-peace
There is “No Smoke without Fire”!!!