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The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking decisive action to address the surge in crime, particularly among youth gangs. One measure being implemented is the imposition of a nighttime curfew for individuals under the age of 18. The goal is to mitigate the prevalence of criminal activities and enhance public safety in the twin-island state.<\/p>\n
The recent escalation of gun-related crimes in the neighboring islands has prompted the government to swiftly consider and propose the implementation of this curfew. Exceptions will be integrated into the government’s proposal to accommodate specific circumstances.<\/p>\n
Legislation to formalize the limited curfew, which prohibits minors from being unaccompanied by a parent or guardian on the streets from 10 PM to 5 AM, is being prepared for the upcoming session of parliament. The government aims to incorporate various exceptions, such as the issuance of curfew passes for youths engaged in legitimate work, educational pursuits, or positive extracurricular activities.<\/p>\n
The curfew is not intended to be indefinite but rather to be utilized as a temporary measure to counter antisocial behavior and youth gang activity. The Information Minister emphasized the possibility of employing curfew passes similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic, which would ensure that individuals participating in positive social activities are not unduly affected.<\/p>\n
While legislative proposals are being put forth, there might be a delay of two to three weeks before parliament convenes. However, due to the urgency of the situation, an early session may be called to expedite the process. There are legitimate concerns about the enforcement of the curfew, especially considering the existing strain on police resources. The recent addition of 140 police officers does not necessarily signify an increase in the size of the police force, as it primarily serves to fill vacancies left by individuals who have retired or completed their service period.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the government is contemplating provisions akin to those employed under the Public Health Act to enable police officers to request assistance from the Defence Force. Ultimately, the government aims to completely eradicate youth gang activities in Antigua, particularly in schools, where gangs such as the 2Drilly Gang and the Gray\u2019s Farm Killers have been engaged in conflict.<\/p>\n
The government is resolute in safeguarding the tranquility and security of educational institutions from the disruptive influence of these gangs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The government of Antigua and Barbuda is taking decisive action to address the surge in crime, particularly among youth gangs. One measure being implemented is the imposition of a nighttime curfew for individuals under the age of 18. The goal…","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":245753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_cbd_carousel_blocks":"[]","footnotes":""},"categories":[19,235,9,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-328164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime-court-law","category-homepage-carousel","category-news","category-regional"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n