Addressing the nation during the 47th Anniversary of Independence celebrations at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday announced the creation of a National Crime Reduction Task Force to combat gun violence and violent crime head-on.
The Cabinet-established task force will be co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Hon. St. Clair Leacock alongside Attorney General Hon. Louise Mitchell.
The body brings together leadership across key government security and justice agencies, including law enforcement, border protection, maritime security, financial intelligence, customs, immigration, the coast guard, and senior police leadership.
Prime Minister Friday stated that the initiative aims to ensure that all elements of crime fighting and justice work in close coordination and constant communication. He noted that the government is reviewing crime-fighting strategies implemented in neighboring regional states—including St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago—to incorporate applicable lessons.
Furthermore, the Attorney General’s Chambers has been mandated to pursue aggressive criminal justice reforms to eliminate legal loopholes for offenders.
In tandem with these operational strategies, the government plans to revise the Firearms Act to enforce tighter controls on weapons and gun licenses. To engage civil society directly, the Ministry of Social Mobilisation will spearhead a parallel Citizen Security Task Force that unites non-governmental organizations, social workers, educators, clergy, and community leaders.
These security efforts will launch officially under a 90-day Crime Reduction, Border Protection and Citizen Security Action Plan on December 7, 2026.
During this period, participating agencies will focus on six priority areas: suppressing illegal firearms and gun crime, dismantling gangs, fortifying border and port security, enhancing intelligence sharing, expanding visible community policing, and providing social intervention for youth.
