Travel Agent obtained a statement issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism last week addressing ongoing concerns about crimes involving tourists, stemming from the murder of a Star Clippers cruise passenger last month.
Although the statement was not released to everyone, we were able to get our hands on it.
Here is the full statement:
“The Government of Antigua and Barbuda takes every incident involving the safety of our visitors and our citizens seriously and commits itself to implementing policies and initiatives to ensure security and safety for everyone.
“The country has utilized advances in technology with the investment in a multi-million dollar communications system for rapid response by law enforcement and has strengthened the man-power of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda (RPFAB) to enhance the safety of both residents and visitors to the islands.
“Among the new measures adopted are the Crime Stoppers Forum which includes a toll free anonymous tips number 1-800-TIPS, the Dare Program in schools targeting sixth-graders, and ongoing work with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). The Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda also works in close cooperation with the National Defense Force and has been working with private security firms to provide them with training and to share intelligence for increased efficiency."