Opposition Senator Ryan Walters threw his support behind the Criminal Gangs (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2026, yesterday, but argued that legislation alone would not solve Barbados’ crime problem unless authorities also targeted those financing criminal activity.
During Senate debate on the measure, Walters said the Democratic Labour Party had long advocated anti-gang legislation, and therefore, had little difficulty supporting the proposed law.
“It is easy to support this bill,” he said.
Walters reminded the Upper Chamber that the DLP had called for anti-gang legislation for more than two years, and had repeatedly urged Government to adopt stronger measures against organised crime.
While endorsing the Bill, Walters cautioned that enforcement efforts must focus on dismantling entire criminal networks rather than concentrating solely on young men operating at street level.
“We have to cut off the head,” he said, using the analogy of targeting those who organise and finance gang activity.
According to Walters, many of the individuals carrying out shootings and other crimes were not the people importing firearms, financing drug shipments or laundering criminal proceeds.
Instead, he argued, authorities should place greater emphasis on identifying those providing money, leadership and direction to gangs.
Dismantled
The senator questioned whether existing legislation dealing with proceeds of crime was being fully utilised and asked how many criminal organisations had been financially dismantled since its enactment.
“How many gang leaders have been stripped of their assets?” he asked.
Walters also raised concerns about the state of The Barbados Police Service, warning that even the strongest legislation would be ineffective if officers remained overstretched and under-resourced.
He referred to complaints about long shifts, delayed overtime payments, burnout and working conditions, arguing that these issues required urgent attention.
“No anti-gang legislation can be effective if the men and women charged with enforcing it are overstretched,” he said.
The Opposition senator devoted considerable attention to Government’s crime-prevention initiatives, particularly the National Peace Programme.
Greater transparency
While acknowledging the importance of social interventions, he called for greater transparency and measurable outcomes.
Walters said Barbadians deserved to know how many at-risk young people had been diverted away from crime, returned to education, gained skills or secured employment through the programme.
“What are the results?” he repeatedly asked.
He contended that community sporting events and other public activities had value but should be accompanied by deeper interventions targeting vulnerable youth before they became involved in gangs.
Walters also stressed the importance of creating employment and economic opportunities for school leavers and young adults.
Too many young people, he said, felt they had limited prospects and could become vulnerable to recruitment by criminal organisations.
“Crime flourishes where purpose is absent,” Walters warned.
Although critical of aspects of Government’s approach, the Opposition senator maintained that the fight against crime required political maturity and national cooperation. (CLM)
