In the wake of recent crimes and the continued concern for Kemba Marshall, who disappeared in February 2024, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda is calling for increased community vigilance and parental involvement in child safety.
Inspector Claudina Nathaniel-Morgan from the Youth Intervention Unit said that protecting children requires a collaborative effort between law enforcement and families.
“We are indeed deeply troubled by the recent crimes against children in our community and the safety and well-being of every child is our highest priority,” said Inspector Morgan. “We are fully invested in investigating these incidents and bringing those responsible to justice.”
The Inspector also highlighted the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 12-year-old Kemba Marshall, noting that the Youth Intervention Unit “has not forgotten Kemba” and that recent incidents raise difficult questions about community preparedness.
“We should not have had a first incident, but more so, we are at a second, which forces us to ask, what have we done? Did we prepare ourselves? Did we put anything in place?” Morgan questioned.
Quoting Tunji Disu — the commissioner of police in Abuja, Nigeria — Morgan said child protection fundamentally begins at home.
“Law and order do not begin in the police station or the courthouse. It begins at home in the quiet corners where parents are teaching their children right from wrong,” she stated.
“When this foundation cracks, the society inherits whatever the fallout may be.”
She also recommended that parents establish clear boundaries with their children from an early age, teaching them to recognize inappropriate behavior from adults—even from family friends, or relatives.
Inspector Morgan also stressed the importance of creating an environment where children feel comfortable in reporting uncomfortable situations.
“Parents must have open conversations with children about personal boundaries and what is appropriate to come from others,” she advised. “Encourage them to recognize anything that just feels wrong or odd.”
For children, especially those walking to and from school, Morgan stressed the importance of being aware without being fearful. “You must be vigilant, not to the point where you’re frightened, but to keep a close eye out for things that feel uncomfortable or things within your space that you are not accustomed to,” she said.
The Inspector also urged parents to establish safe routes for their children’s daily activities and to know how long these journeys typically take. “You can never over-report anything suspicious, anything different, anything outside the norm of what you’re accustomed to seeing,” Morgan added.
Addressing potential offenders directly, Morgan delivered a strong message that law enforcement will not allow criminal elements to control the community. “We cannot ever allow persons who turn to crime and criminal behavior for us to become fearful, for us to lock ourselves away, for us to stop living,” she declared.
“What we will not do as law enforcement is let them take over this country. We are going to do all that we can with all the resources that we have to ensure that this nation is a safe place,” Morgan affirmed.
The Youth Intervention Unit is asking the public to report any suspicious behavior or concerns to help protect children and ensure community safety. Inspector Morgan concluded with a resolute promise: “We, as law enforcement, will take back our streets. We are not going to let go to those who think that crime is king; it will not happen in our nation of Antigua and Barbuda.”
