Opposition Leader unveils crime reduction plan
“There is no doubt that the situation with respect to crime and violence is today the worst it has ever been in our society.” Those were words delivered by Opposition Leader, Dean Barrow at a press conference this afternoon hosted by the United Democratic Party. Barrow, who first read from a prepared statement called on the government to join forces with the opposition to address the issue. He cited a two-pronged approach as the only way: effective policing and economic opportunities for the young people who are disadvantaged.
Dean Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“Clearly details will take a longer time to work out. But the general outline of what needs to be done, must to clear to all of us. Immediate action then should take the form of constituting some sort of implementation committee to ensure that the process of launching this war on crime begins immediately. I’m not saying by that that everything can happen tomorrow. But, let us make a start.”
Ann-Marie Williams
“If your party should win the elections tomorrow, is there a comprehensive approach you’d like to inaugurate, whereby people can see a reduction on crime?”
Dean Barrow
“Well, the ideas that we put forward today, would form a sort of kernel, or maybe even the core of what it is that we would wish to do. Again, we are hamstrung now, because not being the government, it is not quite as easy to solicit ideas from individual sectors, from those with the ability to make things happen in this country, as of course if you’re the government. But, we know that if we have a core plan such as we’ve outlined today, the moment we become the government and we indicate that we’re serious about moving, and that we’re also serious about involving the community…”
Ann-Marie Williams
“So will you be serious?”
Dean Barrow
“Absolutely, and the plan makes that point. You cannot do it without the involvement of the community. You cannot do it without the involvement of the private sector. You cannot do it without the involvement of the merchants, who will have to take as I said certain protective measures on their own. But they need to know that all this is being done in conjunction with an official government effort.”
