Crime Crackdown Starts December 7, Dr. Friday Announces 

By Val Matthias. Updated 7:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday has announced a 90-day crime reduction and citizen security operation beginning December 7, with law enforcement agencies expected to operate at their highest level and “literally work round the clock” in a coordinated assault on violent crime.

Dr. Friday made the announcement at the Independence Rally at the Arnos Vale Stadium on Tuesday October 27, as he addressed growing concerns over gun-related violence in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

He said the operation will be carried out under the newly established National Crime Reduction Task Force, which brings together the agencies responsible for law enforcement, border protection, maritime security, financial intelligence, customs, immigration, the Coast Guard and justice.

“The task force will initiate a 90-day crime reduction, border protection and citizen security action plan, which will start on December 7, 2026,” Friday said.

He added that the agencies involved will “operate at the highest level and literally work round the clock to usher in a safer renaissance.”

The operation will target illegal firearms and gun crime, gangs, border and port security intelligence, while increasing visible community policing and outreach.

Dr. Friday said the government is responding to what he described as a serious problem of violent crime, with gun-related crime “shattering our peace and destroying young lives.”

The National Crime Reduction Task Force is co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Minister of National Security Major St. Clare Leacock, and the Attorney General Ms Louise Mitchell.

Dr. Friday said the task force is intended to ensure that the various elements of crime fighting and justice within government work more closely together and maintain constant communication.

The government is also turning its attention to the criminal justice system.

Dr. Friday said the Attorney General’s Chambers has been mandated to pursue criminal justice reform aggressively to ensure that there are no loopholes for criminals to exploit. The government, he said, has examined crime-fighting initiatives in other Caribbean countries, including St Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to identify measures that could be applied locally.

He also announced plans to revise the Firearms Act and to crack down on guns and gun licences, alongside measures already being implemented by the police.

But Dr. Friday said the 90-day programme will extend beyond policing and enforcement.

Community outreach will be conducted through the Ministry of Social Mobilisation, with churches, community groups and civil society organisations being urged to participate.

Youth protection and social intervention will also form part of the programme, according to the Prime Minister.

Dr. Friday said the government must strengthen its networks if it is to stay ahead of criminals.

“To be one step ahead of the criminals, we have to make sure that our networks are stronger,” he said, adding that the government has the political will to organise better and confront the problem.

The December 7 start date places the government’s newly announced crime strategy on a defined 90-day timetable, bringing together police, border-security agencies, intelligence, customs, immigration, the Coast Guard and justice officials in a single national effort.

The effectiveness of the operation will ultimately be measured by whether the intensified mobilisation can deliver the safer environment promised by the Prime Minister.

END

About the Author: This story was written and submitted by freelance journalist Mr. Val Matthias, a trained communicator with more than two decades in the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (UWI Mona), a Master of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management (UWI Cave Hill), a Certificate in Digital Marketing, and has years of broadcast journalism experience rising to ranks of a programme manager. All supporting materials for this story have been presented, vetted, and verified. Mr Matthias can be reached at [email protected]