In an address to Antiguans last evening in the wake of the shooting to death of a Guyanese woman on Tuesday, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced a series of measures to tackle crime.
Guyanese Susan Powell was shot dead at point-blank range at one of Antigua’s shopping centres, Heritage Quay. Her killing sparked outrage among Antiguans. Spencer in his address said:
“I am deeply distressed by the recent brazen and utterly horrific gun crimes and the wanton killing of Ms. Susan Powell in broad daylight in our shopping centre.
“I join with every law-abiding person in our nation in expressing sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of Susan Powell. I also pray for and call on everyone to pray for those affected by the recent events involving illegal firearms and also to pray for our nation.”
He said he hoped that recent wanton attacks and now the murder of an innocent citizen were not being engineered by “groups or elements within our society who are bent on creating chaos, insecurity and lawlessness in our society”.
“What befell Susan Powell and other individuals who suffered at the hands of criminals bearing illegal firearms are tragic and regrettable incidents. These are shocking and outrageous occurrences that we all must not allow to be repeated in our twin island nation”, he declared, according to a copy of his speech released by his office.
He said that the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda fully supports the Minister of National Security’s directive for the full recall of all members of the Defence Force and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda.
“I call on the leadership and members of the police force and army to demonstrate their commitment to rid our nation of crime and violence. The recent developments will test your resolve – you must not fail. We must not fail.
“We need all hands on deck at this time to arrest this situation which threatens the survival of our economy”, Spencer said.
The Prime Minister urged that Antiguans take measures to protect themselves and said the government fully supports community groups oriented in this direction.
He said that the government will move to fast track its programme to erect CCTV surveillance systems at strategic points throughout the twin-island nation.
Spencer said he will also be in contact with the country’s international partners to request their assistance in providing technical and administrative resources to augment the capabilities of our police force.
“The use of illegal firearms to commit crimes across the country and crime in general must come to an end”, he warned.