By TL Neckles

The United States raising its travel advisory for Grenada should hit every leader, policymaker, and citizen like a cold splash of water. This is not business as usual. This is not “outsiders exaggerating.” This is a direct consequence of a troubling rise in violent incidents—murders, shootings, and brazen acts of aggression—that have shaken the island’s sense of security.

Grenada is a nation of just over 100,000 people. That means even a handful of violent crimes can send statistics skyrocketing. But let’s be honest: this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about perception, reputation, and the lived reality of Grenadians who are increasingly asking, “What is happening to our country?”

A Small Island Cannot Afford Big Crime

Grenada has long been known as one of the safest, most peaceful islands in the Caribbean. That reputation is not just a point of pride—it is a pillar of the economy. Tourism thrives on stability. Investors look for predictability. Diaspora communities advocate for home when they feel confident in its direction.

So when shootings and murders begin to appear with uncomfortable frequency, the world notices. And when the world notices, advisories change.

The U.S. travel advisory is not an attack on Grenada. It is a reflection of what the data—and the headlines—are showing. Ignoring it would be reckless. Downplaying it would be irresponsible. Responding to it with urgency is the only option.

The Royal Grenada Police Force and Government Must Act—Now

Grenadians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for leadership. They are asking for visibility. They are asking for a plan.

The Royal Grenada Police Force and the Government of Grenada must move decisively:

• Increase patrols and visibility in vulnerable communities.
• Accelerate investigations and ensure swift prosecution of offenders.
• Strengthen intelligence gathering and community policing.
• Address the social conditions that allow violence to take root.

Silence is not strategy. Slowness is not stability. Grenada needs action that is firm, coordinated, and sustained.

This Is the Moment to Use Grenada’s Own Expertise: Dr. Chitan

Grenada is not short on talent. One of the region’s most respected crime‑prevention specialists, Dr. Neals J. Chitan, is right here on the island. His expertise in social crime prevention, community transformation, and violence reduction is not theoretical—it is proven across multiple countries.

If ever there was a moment to fully utilize his services, it is now.

Dr. Chitan’s approach goes beyond policing. He focuses on:

• Changing mindsets and behaviors in at‑risk communities
• Strengthening family structures
• Building resilience in youth
• Creating long‑term cultural shifts away from violence

Grenada does not need to reinvent the wheel. It needs to empower the experts it already has.

A Country at a Crossroads

Grenada is too small, too beautiful, and too full of potential to allow violence to take root. A few bad actors cannot be allowed to define the nation’s future. A handful of crimes cannot be allowed to derail decades of progress.

But pretending the problem is small will not make it small.

The U.S. advisory is a warning sign. The recent crimes are a wake‑up call. The responsibility now lies with the authorities to respond with urgency—and with the public to demand accountability.

Grenada can turn this moment around. But only if it acts boldly, swiftly, and intelligently. And that begins with using every resource available—including the expertise of Dr. Chitan—to restore safety, confidence, and pride in the Spice Isle.