分类： society

Residents of St. John’s Rural South expressed their growing concerns over crime and inadequate policing during a heated town hall meeting with senior officers of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda on Monday night. The meeting, part of a community-policing initiative, aimed to rebuild public trust and strengthen ties between law enforcement and the community. However, frustrations over slow response times, understaffed police outposts, and a perceived lack of visible policing dominated the discussion. Police administrators, including an Assistant Commissioner and Superintendent, acknowledged the issues and pledged to address them. Residents shared harrowing experiences, such as delayed responses to break-ins and closed outposts, which forced them to seek help from distant stations. Police officials attributed reduced patrols to manpower being diverted to national events but promised increased patrols during the Christmas season and immediate action on staffing shortages. While overall crime statistics show a decline, residents argued that the fear of crime remains pervasive. Police urged collaboration with the government and community to tackle environmental factors like abandoned properties and poor lighting, while also emphasizing the need for stronger parental involvement to curb youth delinquency. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to work together for safer neighborhoods.

Barbuda has officially recognized the lifelong contributions of Bernice Lewis, an 80-year-old retired preschool teacher, for her over two decades of service in early childhood education. Lewis, who began her teaching career in 1978 and retired in 2000, was celebrated in a heartfelt ceremony attended by Foreign Affairs and Barbuda Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene and ABLP caretaker Bonneitha John. Notably, Lewis is the only retired preschool teacher still residing on the island. During the event, Greene and John presented her with a token of appreciation, commending her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds and supporting families across Barbuda. Attendees, including former students, relatives, and community members, praised Lewis as a mentor and a cornerstone of the community, whose influence has transcended generations. Many highlighted her compassion, resilience, and pivotal role in establishing the foundation of early education on the island. Bonneitha John emphasized that the recognition was part of a broader effort to honor individuals whose lifelong work has significantly contributed to Barbuda’s development.

Jamie Saunders, the Director of Gender Affairs in Antigua and Barbuda, has called for men to play a more proactive role in addressing gender-based violence. Saunders emphasized that meaningful progress in reducing such violence hinges on viewing men as integral to the solution rather than the problem. He criticized the current public discourse, which often frames men and women as adversaries, labeling it counterproductive. Saunders highlighted how societal norms that discourage men from expressing vulnerability contribute to anger and unhealthy conflict resolution, with repercussions felt in homes, workplaces, and communities. While women remain the primary victims of gender-based violence, Saunders noted that men also suffer—both as direct victims and through societal pressures that stifle emotional expression. He stressed the importance of equipping men with better communication and conflict-management skills to foster safer relationships. Additionally, Saunders underscored the economic toll of domestic abuse, referencing international studies that reveal annual losses of millions of dollars due to medical expenses, reduced productivity, and legal proceedings. He observed a growing trend of men supporting prevention initiatives and engaging more willingly in these efforts. According to Saunders, sustaining this momentum is vital to curbing violence and building more stable, inclusive communities.

A former employee of Hadeed Motors, Dylan Simon, has been found guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that involved falsifying company records, stealing an SUV, and selling it for a substantial profit. Simon, who had been with the company for over 20 years, was convicted on six charges, including electronic forgery, larceny by a clerk, obtaining money by false pretences, and money laundering. Justice Stanley John presided over the case, and Simon is now in custody awaiting sentencing on December 11. The fraudulent activities came to light during an audit conducted after the company resumed operations following the COVID-19 shutdown. The audit revealed irregularities, including altered cheque numbers and missing payments linked to transactions Simon had handled. Simon had entered false information into the dealership’s system to indicate that a Suzuki Vitara had been purchased with a non-existent cheque, allowing him to produce documents to remove the vehicle from the lot. He later received a $600 commission as if a legitimate sale had occurred. Approximately six months later, the SUV was sold to a used-car dealer for $55,000, with Simon receiving a vehicle valued at $22,000 and $23,000 in cash. Simon resigned after failing to explain the discrepancies and attempted to transfer ownership of the stolen SUV the following day. Despite his claims that others had access to his computer and that the transaction was paid for in cash, his explanations were dismissed. An auditor called by the defence confirmed that Simon had manipulated records and exploited weak internal controls. This conviction marks Simon’s second in as many years; he was previously fined $100,000 in 2023 for unrelated electronic forgery at the same dealership.