Harold Lovell has raised alarm over increasing reports of burglaries and robberies in parts of his All Saints West constituency, warning that residents — particularly women — are living in fear inside their own homes.
Speaking on Observer A.M., the former finance minister and caretaker for the constituency said the situation in the Bellevue Heights and Sinclair Heights areas is deeply troubling. “Many of the persons who live there are females, and they literally are prisoners in their own home,” Lovell said, adding that several residents described being afraid to enter their houses alone at night.
Lovell told host Dr. Jacqui Quinn that two former senior police officers — retired Deputy Commissioner Nuffield Burnett and retired Assistant Commissioner David — attended a recent cottage meeting to help the community develop safety strategies. The officers, he said, provided “very practical tips” and encouraged residents to organize and implement simple security measures.
According to Lovell, residents have already begun coordinating neighborhood patrols and information-sharing systems, but he insists that a broader police response is urgently needed. He said one man has been walking the neighborhood twice daily to check on homes — a task that should fall under police responsibility.
“I’ll be writing to the relevant authorities to ensure that these problems are addressed,” Lovell said. “We are also looking to bring the commissioner of police into the picture.”
He added that environmental neglect has contributed to the problem, pointing to overgrown vegetation that provides cover for criminals. Lovell recalled that when Lionel Michael headed the Central Board of Health, regular clearing of bush kept the areas more secure.
Residents who have lived in the community for decades, he said, describe the current conditions as the worst they have ever experienced.
Lovell’s comments come amid wider public concern about crime across Antigua and Barbuda, with police urging citizens to form neighborhood watch groups and report suspicious activity.
