ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Sep. 14, CMC – The Anti-Gang Bill 2024, was passed in the Lower House on Friday, becoming a new legal framework designed to crack down on gang-related activities and introduces tougher penalties, including treating minors involved in gangs as adults.
During the sitting of the committee, opposition legislators including Trevor Walker, Sherfield Bowen and Asot Michael, all raised concerns.
Bowen expressed concern about the term ‘law enforcement authority,’ which gives other agencies, in addition to the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda the right to arrest.
Under the new legislation the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF), the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) and such other organizations as may be prescribed by the minister with responsibility for public safety, the authority to effect an arrest.
However, Bowen believes that powers of arrest should only be with the police.
Agreeing with him was Michael who asked why the Immigration and Customs Departments were not a part of the law enforcement authority.
In response, Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin, advised Michael that the Bill was addressing a specific matter, which relates to gangs and gang-related activities.
Under the Bill, persons will receive up to 10 years in prison for forming a gang; 15 years for being a gang leader; 10 years for falsely claiming gang membership to intimidate or gain personal benefits, and even stiffer penalties for recruiting children into gangs, especially near schools and churches.
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