The responsibility of us all

18.MAY.07

The latest fatal shooting in the Paul’s Avenue area last Sunday night and continued reports of other acts of gun-related and criminal violence have intensified the concern of the general public about safety and security. While it is true that the spate of shooting and related violent incidents seem to be confined to particular groups of individuals, that they are happening in view of the public gives cause for alarm.{{more}} In particular the events in the Paul’s Avenue area over the past month or so has heightened fear among peaceful residents of the area and those who either work or must pass through that area.

The Paul’s Avenue area is an obvious growth area for the business sector in Kingstown given limited physical options. Already several businesses are established there, two of our major newspapers, the national electricity provider (VINLEC), the offices of the National Lottery and the headquarters of the regional farmers movement (WINFA) among them. Several schools are in its vicinity which means hundreds of schoolchildren and students pass through that area daily. It is also on the busy commuter route from the densely-populated Redemption Sharpes-Kingstown Park area. Certainly not an area for persons to be brandishing and discharging firearms. Just think of those workers, the bulk of them females, who must leave their homes for work in the area having just heard reports of yet another murder in public! Think of the parents dispatching their children to school at Petersville, St. Joseph’s Convent, the Kingstown Multipurpose Centre, St. Martin’s Secondary or Bishop’s College, Kingstown. Think of the commuters as they alight from or board buses in the area!

Clearly the matter has gone completely out of hand and demands the attention of the entire society. It is now a matter of national security and cannot be made into any political football! If there is an issue on which we need to speak in unison, it is this one. Those in charge of National Security need to act in such a way as to provide assurances to all concerned about their safety. In this, there is some justification in the charges that the Police have been inconsistent in their stops to preserve law and order in the community. The Police must leave no stone unturned in exercising their sacred responsibility to uphold law and order and preserve peace and security.

But it is not just a matter for the Police or the Government. These acts of wanton criminality are yet more reminders of the malaise in our society. It is a malaise not just limited to our society for our regional neighbours are equally suffering. In some societies, besides the drug-and gang-related violence there are even kidnappings including the barbaric murder of innocents.

These provide the Caribbean with major social challenges. It is not enough to talk tough on crime; we must both have the steel to ACT TOUGH and the vision to go beyond the manifestation of the problem to find the root of it. This is our duty as citizens and as guarantors of the future of our youth.