There’s some debate as to whether Barbados remains the most peaceful island in the region. Smaller, more tourist-focused islands such as St. Barts also lay claim to this crown. St. Barts boasts a zero percentage murder rate, and due to its negligible crime rate, the country’s police don’t operate 24/7.
On the flip side, in 2022 Barbados saw a 16 per cent increase in murders from 32 to 38 within a calendar year. The majority of these crimes involved illegal firearms.
Instead of resting on its laurels, the Bajan government has enforced the Barbados Firearm Amendment Act, which carries a larger fine and prison time for firearm offenses.
According to Section 29(2) of the Act, “a person who aids, abets, counsels or procures another or conspires with another to commit an offence under this Act, is guilty of an offence and is liable to the same punishment as is provided for that offence”.
These years would be served consecutively – meaning that in addition to the crime of murder or manslaughter, an additional 10 to 20 years could be tacked on.
The act is one of the latest implementations by the local government, spearheaded by Prime Minister Mia Mottley to improve the quality of life of Bajan citizens.
Time will tell if this and other programs will make a dent in the number of homicides, but the government has shown its eagerness to resume its challenge for the crown of the most peaceful island.
