Against a backdrop of rising violent and petty crime trends across the Caribbean, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has publicly reaffirmed that Antigua and Barbuda continues to rank among the region’s safest nations for both locals and international visitors.
Speaking during an appearance on the local Brown and Brown Show this past Sunday, the country’s leader emphasized that upholding public security is a non-negotiable top priority for his administration, a commitment tied directly to protecting the island nation’s reputation as a desirable place to live and travel. “I want to make sure that Antigua and Barbuda remains safe,” Browne stated clearly during the interview.
Browne did not shy away from acknowledging the homicides that have already occurred in Antigua and Barbuda in 2024, noting that as the country reaches the midpoint of the year, the total number of fatal violent incidents stands at four. When put in regional context, however, Browne argued that the nation’s homicide rate remains far lower than most of its neighbors. “When you look at what is happening in other Caribbean countries within the OECS, we’re doing remarkably well,” he said. “So we’re doing well in the circumstances.”
The prime minister added that nearly all of this year’s killings have grown out of unresolved domestic conflicts, rather than random violent attacks targeting residents or tourists. He used the address to issue a public appeal to all citizens, urging communities to work through disagreements through peaceful dialogue rather than turning to deadly force. “I just want to encourage our people to continue to resolve their conflicts amicably and not to resort to the type of violence that will result in homicides and increase our homicide rates,” he said.
Preserving the public’s sense of safety, Browne stressed, is critical for every group that calls or visits the islands: “Antigua and Barbuda must be safe for the nationals, the citizens, the residents and also for visitors who come to this country. They must feel as though they’re coming to a place where they can enjoy themselves without having to worry about crime and violence.”
Beyond fatal violence, Browne also addressed growing public concern over a recent spike in non-violent petty crime, specifically a rise in street chain-snatching incidents targeting passersby. He confirmed that law enforcement agencies are currently developing targeted intervention strategies to crack down on the perpetrators of these crimes. According to information shared with the prime minister, most of those responsible for the thefts are young people, with a number of the suspects still teenagers.
To address the root causes of youth involvement in crime, Browne highlighted the existing intervention programs run by his administration. In recent years, he said, many young people involved in gang activity have been connected to these programs, which offer vocational skills training to help participants build stable, legal livelihoods and steer clear of criminal activity long-term.