Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce, has warned people with with illegal firearms that the Barbados Police Service (BPS) will show ‘no leniency’ amid concerns of rising gun violence on the island.
So far this year, 79 firearms and 2 754 rounds of ammunition have been seized, including three AR-15 assault rifles, two AK-47 assault rifles, one Mach-11 firearm and three shotguns’As Commissioner of Police, I am saying to those with illegal firearms and those who carry, traffic or use them, we are coming for you. There will be no leniency for persons who illegally arm themselves and put communities at risk,’ Boyce said, less than 24 hours after law enforcement officials were engaged in a shootout across Westbury Cemetery while responding to an earlier gun related crime.
‘A tiny group of our men must not and will not be allowed to run rampant over Barbados or to intimidate the Barbados Police Service,’ Boyce said, adding ‘the gloves are off.
‘Anyone who points a firearm at a police officer in the lawful execution of duty, or who fires on the police, is attacking the state itself. Those persons can expect the full and determined response of the Barbados Police Service.’
Boyce said the situation shows how ‘bold and reckless a small number of offenders have become.
‘Our intelligence continues to show that the majority of these firearm incidents involve individuals who are already in direct conflict with each other.
‘People settling scores, people involved in criminal activity – that has been a trend for some time. But I want to be clear about this: no gun crime is acceptable. A bullet fired in anger in any public place threatens not only the intended target, but every innocent person nearby. One life taken, one family shattered is one too many.’
But Boyce insisted that Barbados is not ‘under siege’ and that the BPS ‘will not allow a small number of violent individuals to hold this country to ransom’.
He said that the BPS is engaged in a careful analysis of the crime situation, having identified hotspots that would be targeted, especially during the upcoming Independence and Christmas celebrations.
‘We have identified specific streets, blocks and corridors across the island that are consistently linked to gun-related offences. Those hotspots are now part of the focus of detailed operational plans from now through Independence and into Christmas and the new year,’ he said.
The top cop said that there would also be a more visible police presence, with increased foot and mobile patrols in high-risk communities, commercial districts and nightlife areas.