标签： Barbados

In a compelling appeal to national leadership, Barbados Alliance to End Homelessness (BAEH) director Kemar Saffrey has challenged government officials and civil society organizations to transcend superficial discussions and implement concrete measures addressing the island’s escalating mental health emergency. Speaking exclusively to Barbados TODAY on Monday, the prominent homelessness advocate warned that rhetorical commitments without substantive action have created a dangerous gap between public discourse and meaningful intervention.

Saffrey articulated concerns that mental health conversations predominantly surface during designated awareness periods, particularly Mental Health Awareness Month, before rapidly diminishing from public consciousness. While acknowledging the valuable contributions of existing mental health professionals, he emphasized that current efforts remain insufficient to support vulnerable demographics, especially individuals experiencing homelessness who frequently grapple with untreated psychological conditions.

“The disparity between mental health dialogue and tangible action has become critically evident,” Saffrey stated. “We’ve cultivated a culture of sound bites rather than sustainable solutions. While I appreciate ground-level workers’ efforts, the systemic response fails to match the scale of need.”

The advocate proposed a revolutionary integrated approach, positioning mental health not as an isolated concern but as an interdisciplinary challenge intersecting with education systems, family dynamics, employment practices, and broader social development initiatives. He specifically advocated for institutionalizing mental health committees within workplace environments, creating formal structures where employees can voice concerns and access support.

Saffrey’s commentary emerges amid growing recognition of the bidirectional relationship between psychological wellness and homelessness, with health experts increasingly urging policymakers to develop coordinated, multi-sectoral strategies that address root causes rather than superficial symptoms.

Barbadian authorities are investigating two separate fatal stabbings that occurred within a devastating 48-hour timeframe in St. Michael parish, highlighting concerns over a surge in violent crime. The most recent homicide transpired on Monday evening along Review Road in the Bush Hall area. According to official reports from the District ‘A’ Police Station, the victim was seated roadside at approximately 7:15 p.m. when he was approached by a group of individuals. A subsequent physical altercation erupted, culminating in the man being fatally stabbed. Emergency medical services were dispatched to the location, where a attending physician formally pronounced the victim deceased. This tragic incident follows another lethal confrontation that occurred merely a day earlier. On Sunday afternoon, a 39-year-old man identified as Andy Rudolph Arthur lost his life following a dispute outside a commercial establishment on 3rd Avenue, Station Hill. Police were alerted to an unnatural death around 2:30 p.m. Preliminary investigations indicate Arthur sustained injuries during the altercation, collapsed onsite, and was declared dead after ambulance personnel failed to detect vital signs. The Barbados Police Service has launched parallel investigations into both cases and is urgently appealing to the public for assistance. Authorities are encouraging individuals with any relevant information to come forward anonymously via the Crime Stoppers Hotline (1-800-8477), contact the Police Emergency line at 211, or reach out directly to the District ‘A’ Police Station at 430-7242 or 430-7246.

Barbados’s centuries-old fishing industry, a cornerstone of local nutrition, employment, and cultural heritage, is confronting an existential crisis driven by a confluence of environmental and economic pressures. Veteran fishers report severe disruptions to marine ecosystems, significantly diminishing their catches and jeopardizing livelihoods.

At the Berinda Cox Fish Market, seasoned fisherman Victor Drayton provided a detailed account of the ecological breakdown. He explained how disrupted spawning paths are creating a generational catastrophe for fish populations. ‘When a generation of fish has a path where they go to conjugate and spawn, and that path gets blocked or changed… that generation born would not find back that navigation path,’ Drayton stated, highlighting a critical loss of instinctual marine behavior.

This environmental degradation is compounded by past offshore oil and gas exploration. Drayton cited dredging activities as the source of ‘heavier damage to the fishing industry,’ which altered seafloor structures and accelerated the decline of key species. Fishers now report catching significantly smaller flying fish and dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), with many key species becoming harder to locate.

The financial viability of fishing is collapsing under soaring operational costs. Skyrocketing fuel prices, limited access to duty-free fuel for long voyages, and crippling bank loans for boat maintenance are creating an unsustainable economic model. Drayton criticized ineffective bureaucratic responses, noting that while concerns are recorded in meetings, ‘no real help comes,’ leaving fishers in a perpetual cycle of debt without meaningful support.

This sentiment is echoed across the island’s fishing communities. At the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, fisherman David Webster revealed the extreme lengths required, venturing up to 370 miles offshore to secure a catch. Michael Davis, with over 30 years of experience, described the current season as the slowest in his career, attributing altered fish migration directly to shifting ocean temperatures. Veteran fisherman Owen ‘Accra’ Coppin confirmed that finding dolphin and flying fish now demands more fuel and longer, riskier journeys.

The collective testimony from Barbados’s fishers underscores an urgent need for decisive governmental and industrial intervention. With the sector facing irreversible decline, the community is calling for policy measures that address both immediate economic hardships and long-term ecological conservation to safeguard a vital national industry.

Barbados Police Commissioner Richard Boyce has delivered a sobering assessment of public safety, reporting divergent crime trends for 2025. While the nation witnessed a welcome reduction in homicides, this progress was offset by a concerning surge in robberies and persistent road fatalities that continue to plague the island nation.

In his annual Christmas message, Commissioner Boyce acknowledged the complex landscape faced by the Barbados Police Service, characterizing the year as one of both advancements and setbacks. The decline in murders, he emphasized, demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing strategies and strengthened community partnerships that have collectively contributed to saving lives.

“Each year brings its share of challenges and triumphs, and 2025 has been no exception,” Commissioner Boyce stated. He highlighted that through “resilience, professionalism and teamwork,” the police service had fortified its relationship with the communities it serves.

Despite these gains, the police commissioner sounded alarm over several persistent threats. Gun crime remains particularly troubling, creating fear and disruption across communities. Boyce described firearms violence as “a serious and troubling challenge” that continues to inflict pain on numerous families.

The commissioner also drew attention to a sharp increase in robbery cases, noting that criminal patterns constantly evolve and require adaptive policing methodologies. “This year, robberies have seen a notable and troubling increase,” he cautioned, “reminding us of the ever-changing nature of crime.”

Road safety emerged as another critical concern, with fatal accidents ranking among the most distressing issues facing the nation. Commissioner Boyce characterized each traffic death as “one too many” and pledged intensified road safety education and enforcement initiatives.

Looking toward 2026, the police chief outlined a comprehensive strategy built on thoughtful analysis, collaboration, and decisive action. The service plans to modernize operations, strengthen community partnerships, and maintain professionalism guided by “the values of discipline, compassion and fairness.”

Commissioner Boyce concluded by praising police officers and staff across all divisions, recognizing their daily sacrifices as “the backbone of our success” while calling for continued public patience and support in addressing the nation’s ongoing public safety challenges.

The Barbados Prison Service has enacted comprehensive security enhancements and significantly restricted external prisoner movements in response to the May escape of inmate Kishon Lamar Anderson Thomas from Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Superintendent DeCarlo Payne revealed in an exclusive interview that the incident triggered a fundamental reassessment of off-site security protocols.

Following Thomas’s two-month period at large before recapture, prison authorities have implemented a multi-layered strategy focused on minimizing external transfers. The revised approach emphasizes expanding internal medical services, with orthopedic treatments previously requiring hospital visits now conducted within prison facilities. This addresses the critical vulnerability of restraint removal during external medical procedures.

The service has established weekly on-site psychiatric clinics and is actively developing telemedicine capabilities in collaboration with QEH. Remote consultations now handle routine cases, building on existing telemedicine practices that have operated successfully for over a year. Simultaneously, virtual court appearances have reduced judicial transfers, easing both security burdens and logistical pressures.

Superintendent Payne emphasized the risk calculus behind these changes: ‘We’re trying to mitigate as much as possible persons leaving because risk increases when they leave. If they remain, risk decreases.’ The measures have already demonstrated effectiveness in reducing external exposures while maintaining inmate access to necessary services.

Looking toward long-term reform, authorities are considering a minimum-risk transitional facility to support reintegration. This open-prison concept, modeled after successful UK approaches, would allow eligible inmates to gradually transition back into society while strengthening family ties and employment prospects.

Payne also addressed recidivism data, revealing that reoffending rates among released inmates range between 20-30%—significantly lower than combined national statistics exceeding 50%. He attributed this to risk classification systems and noted that most current inmates are first-time offenders. However, he emphasized that successful rehabilitation ultimately depends on individual commitment alongside institutional support.

The Barbadian government has issued a formal reminder to all security professionals regarding an impending licensing renewal deadline set for January 30, 2026. This mandate applies comprehensively to private investigators, security guards, and agencies operating within the nation’s security sector.

Under the stringent provisions of the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act CAP 372 (E), Section 14, operating without valid licensure constitutes a criminal offense. The legislation explicitly prohibits any individual or organization from providing security services without proper authorization. Violators face severe penalties including fines up to $5,000, imprisonment for a maximum of two years, or both sanctions concurrently.

Renewal applications must be processed through the Investigation Unit at the Prime Minister’s Office, located within the Weymouth Corporate Centre on Roebuck Street, St. Michael. A critical requirement for renewal submission is a valid Police Certificate of Character, which maintains a six-month validity window from its issuance date.

The regulatory framework extends specific provisions for non-national applicants, who must present documented evidence of either Barbadian residency, citizenship, or appropriate work permits authorizing their employment within the security industry. Organizations employing security services are strongly advised to verify the current licensing status of all personnel and agencies to ensure compliance with statutory requirements.

For additional clarification or procedural guidance, authorities have designated Investigations Officer Paul Morris as the primary contact point. He can be reached via email at paul.morris@barbados.gov.bb or through telephone communication at 535-5467. This initiative is coordinated through the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS) to maintain professional standards within the nation’s security apparatus.