Antigua schoolchildren violence sparks government and police warning
The Antiguan government and police commissioner have raised alarm over rising youth violence, including a fight where two schoolgirls fell from a car park structure.
Antigua raises alarm over youth violence after schoolgirls fall from car park
The Antigua and Barbuda government has issued a formal appeal for restraint following a series of violent incidents involving schoolchildren, NOW Grenada reports.
A statement released after the weekly Cabinet meeting, chaired by National Security Minister and Acting Prime Minister Sir Steadroy Benjamin, confirmed that ministers had discussed the incidents and stressed that student disputes must be resolved through established, peaceful channels rather than through physical confrontation or intimidation.
"The government is therefore appealing to students to exercise restraint, respect one another and observe the rules and procedures established by schools and the wider community for resolving disagreements," the statement read. Parents and guardians were also urged to take an active role in guiding their children and reinforcing positive behaviour.
Cabinet made clear that the police "will be adopting a firm and uncompromising approach to incidents involving youth violence." Those found to have engaged in violent or disruptive conduct, the statement warned, would face enforcement action, including being charged and brought before the courts for offences such as disturbing the peace.
"The government wishes to make clear that violence among young people will not be treated as acceptable conduct," the statement added. "Those who engage in unlawful behaviour must understand that their actions carry consequences."
Girls fall from multi-storey car park structure
The government's statement follows a confrontation earlier this week in which two schoolgirls were filmed fighting at an unfinished multi-level car park. A video circulated widely on social media shows both girls falling over the edge of the structure into an overgrown area below.
Police Commissioner Everton Jeffers responded to the incident by calling on students to stop recording fights for social media and instead seek help before someone is seriously injured or killed.
"They need to recognise that when they do that, sometimes they encourage others to do the same thing," Jeffers told the Antigua Observer. He warned that sharing fight videos risks encouraging copycat behaviour and creates a distorted image of young people, most of whom he described as decent and law-abiding.
Jeffers expressed concern that bystanders were more focused on capturing footage than on seeking assistance for those involved.
Coordinated community response called for
Cabinet called on students, parents, teachers and the broader community to work together to discourage violence and promote peaceful conflict resolution, so that schools remain safe environments in which children can learn and develop.
Parents were specifically encouraged to engage constructively with school authorities whenever conflicts arise and to support efforts aimed at maintaining safe learning environments.
The government's appeal reflects a broader unease about the role of social media in amplifying youth violence — both by spreading footage and, according to Commissioner Jeffers, by potentially normalising confrontational behaviour among young people.
Source: NOW Grenada