Last week neighbouring island Trinidad took the bold decision to implement a state of emergency. The government took the bold decision because of an alarming spike in murders and the use of automatic weapons linked to gang activity. Trinidad has reported 67 murders in December 2024 with total homicides reaching the highest since 2013 of 623. Barbados total murders reached 50 in 2024 the highest ever recorded (see BU’s sidebar).

In statistical terms our situation does not appear to be as dire as in Trinidad BUT we are not far removed. How many Barbadians feel confident that government and relevant authorities have the capacity to clawback the local crime situation? We only have to look at the balloning ‘Zr sub culture’ for an answer.

“We’re going to have a 48-hour holding period where people can be held under these regulations,” Young said. Further, a tribunal is being formed in collaboration with the acting Chief Justice to oversee the legal parameters of detaining people during emergency.

The emergency reportedly empowers the defence forces with the powers of the police. Trinidad and Tobago Newsday also reported that the parliament would be convened in 15 days to determine if the State of Emergency should be extended.

Source: The Indian Express

The blogmaster has been a lone voice calling for the implementation of a state of emergency in Barbados. A bold step to give the Barbados Police Service (BPS) and support services like the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) the opportunity to execute a ‘purge’. It should be obvious to everyone crime has become endemic in our small society and using traditional approaches to search for contraband, choke gang activity, active monitoring and other tactics- like the Transport Authority overseeing PSVs- is not as effective as the situation warrants.

It is interesting to note the State of Emergency implemented by Trinidad does NOT have a curfew and public gatherings are banned. We will have to see how the state of emergency is tweaked to accommodate gatherings for Carnival. In Barbados we have the all year ‘We Gatherin’ therefore it is unlikely the government will implement any outside the box initiative like a state of emergency to prevent 2025 being a year more than 50 murders being committed. Fingers crossed!

In 2023 Heads of Governments in Caricom (HOGs) declared crime in the region a public health crisis. In a crisis one is expected to quickly develop and implement mitigation measures to stem and avert the trajectory of the crisis. While authorities try to address negative behaviours in the home- if that is possible- there is the reality of what is happening on the ground.

Below are is the latest homicide analysis prepared by Amit @caribbeansignal.Combermerians. We thank him for his service.

Barbados Homicide Statistics January to December 2024

At the end of 2024, Barbados recorded at least 50 murders (homicides) between January 1 and December 31st. For the same period last year, i.e., January to December 2023, there were at least 21 homicides. This represents an increase of 29 homicides or 138%.

The number of homicides recorded in December was 2. This represents a decrease of three deaths, or 60%, over the January to November period.

Read more at carinneansignal.com.

Barbados Homicide Statistics January to December 2024