PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN BARBADOS: VOICE OF BARBADIANS – A

2015 STUDY (PART 4: FINAL)

BY DR. DWAYNE DEVONISH, SENIOR LECTURER, UWI

Three years ago, an empirical study was initiated to examine the perceptions of Barbadian

electors with respect to a range of social, political and economic issues within the country

(mostly, experiences and concerns they had concerning the 2013 Elections). The study, which

was conceptualised and conducted by Dr. Cecilia Karch-Brathwaite (former Senior lecturer in

Sociology at the University of the West Indies) and Dr. Dwayne Devonish (Senior Lecturer in

Management Science at the University of the West Indies), involved a household survey of 1500

Barbadian members of the electorate across 30 constituencies. Barbadians were approached

by trained enumerators who conducted the survey with them in a face-to-face fashion. The

findings, in different parts and stages, will be released to the Nation’s Sunday Sun for the

benefit of the readers/public. Today, the summary of results will focus on public perceptions of

crime and violence in Barbadian society from the 2015 survey – this is the fourth and final

segment. The presentation of the results was prepared by Dr. Devonish in loving memory of Dr.

Karch-Brathwaite who passed away last year.

 Summary of Findings (Part IV)

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN BARBADIAN SOCIETY

The survey captured public perceptions of various areas of crime and violence in Barbados.

Prior to the completion of survey, respondents were informed about the nature of garrisons

or garrison communities which are communities that are entrenched in various forms of

crime and criminal elements (e.g. drug trafficking, gang violence, control of Dons/gang

leaders). They are also deeply linked to and resourced by key members of society such as

politicians, police officers, lawyers, top businessmen, etc. A total of 1500 respondents were

asked whether such communities exist in Barbados, among other things. The key findings are

presented below:

 In 2015, just under half of the surveyed respondents (44%) indicated that Garrison

communities were emerging (or have emerged) across Barbados.

 When asked whether there has been a moral decline which has impacted all sectors of

our country, the majority of them (53%) agreed with this position.

 When Barbadians were asked about which category of society was most responsible

for the increase in crime and violence, the top three categories identified were

‘unemployed youth’ (55%), ‘domestic drug lords’ (36%), and ‘local gangs’ (30%).

Interestingly, the belief that politicians were chiefly responsible for the increase in

crime and violence was shared by almost a quarter of the respondents (23%) – this
 belief was much stronger among younger Barbadians (18-34 years; 31%) than among

older Barbadians aged 50 years and over (12%).

 When respondents were asked how well the police were doing their job dealing with

increasing crime and violence, most respondents indicated a ‘fair job’ (43%); 29

percent indicated a ‘good job’, and only 8 percent indicated ‘an excellent job’.

 When Barbadian respondents were asked about the connection among illegal drugs,

armed violence and corruption, a significant majority (74%) believed that such a

connection exists.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CRISIS IN BARBADOS

In 2015, Barbadians were also asked about whether they believe the country was in crisis

among other things. The following significant findings emerged:

 A significant majority (74%) believed that the country was in crisis. The nature of crisis

was ascertained as an economic crisis by most (68%), followed by a political crisis

(55%), and a social crisis (38%).

 When race was compared on this question, significant proportions of Blacks (78%),

Whites (74%) and Indians (80%) agreed equally that the country was in crisis.

 Persons with tertiary education (73%) were more likely to believe that the crisis was

an economic one compared with persons with only primary school education (54%).
 Similarly, persons with tertiary education (42%) were more likely to believe that the

crisis was also a social one compared with persons with only primary school education

(21%).

 No other demographics (e.g. ethnicity, gender) made a difference to one’s perception

of the country being in a crisis, suggesting a societal consensus on the state of affairs

in the country across certain demographics.

Table 1: Survey Questions on Public Perceptions of Crime and Violence Total
(1500 respondents)

(% who agreed)
WHO IS CHIEFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN
BARBADOS?
Unemployed Youth Responsible for Crime and Violence 55%
Domestic Drug Lords Responsible for Crime and Violence 36%
Local Gangs Responsible for Crime and Violence 30%
Politicians Responsible for Crime and Violence 23%
Police Responsible for Crime and Violence 17%
Local Businessmen Responsible for Crime and Violence 17%

Garrison communities are communities that entrenched in certain

forms of criminal elements (including drug trafficking, gang violence,
control of Dons/gang leaders). They are also deeply linked to and
resourced by key members of society such as politicians, police
officers, lawyers, top businessmen, etc.
 Figure 1 Do you believe that Garrisons are
emerging in our communities in Barbados?
Wont say
2% Yes
44%
Dont know
21%

No
33%

Figure 2: Do we believe we are seeing a moral decline

impacting all sectors of our country?

Wont say
10%

Dont know
23%
Yes
53%

No
14%
 Further Demographic Analysis on Crime Perceptions: Other Key Highlights

 The belief that Garrisons exist in Barbadian communities was much stronger among persons with
college and tertiary education (46%) compared with those in lower educational categories (those
with only primary education: 32%).

 Blacks (38%), moreso than other racial categories (Whites: 21%; Indians: 28%), believed that
domestic drug lords were responsible for crime and violence in the country.

 The belief that unemployed youth were responsible for crime and violence in the country was
much stronger among persons with college and tertiary education (60%) compared with those in
lower educational categories (e.g. those with only primary education: 40%).

 The belief that unemployed youth were responsible for crime and violence in the country was
much stronger among Indians (72%) than among any other racial group.

 The belief that politicians were responsible for crime and violence in the country was much
stronger among younger Barbadians aged 18 to 34 (31%) compared with older Barbadians aged
50 years and over (12%).
 Figure 3: Do you believe the country is in crisis?

Wont say
4%
Dont know
9%
No
10%

Yes
77%

PUBLIC RATINGS OF HOW WELL THE POLICE ARE DOING

THEIR JOB ADDRESSING CRIME AND VIOLENCE (2015
SURVEY)

Poor Excellent
20% 8%

Good
29%

Fair
43%