Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. – 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7.

Today is Valentine’s Day, February 14, traditionally seen as a day for lovers. Romantic love is important, but it is just one type of love, usually between two persons. Our focus today is on the type of love we need to build strong, peaceful and productive communities in St Vincent and the Grenadines; the type of love described in 1 Corinthians 13 4-7.

Last Saturday, the Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of National Security, and the Commissioner of Police issued a joint statement on crime in St Vincent and the Grenadines. In the statement, the Prime Minister and the Commissioner spoke about their plans to secure the citizenry, severely restrict the space within which criminals operate and restore confidence of the public in the police.

Important in any strategy to clamp down on crime is the cooperation and support of the public. The police will have very little success if we, the citizens refuse to play our role. We must once again become each other’s keepers.

According to census figures, eight out of every 10 Vincentians claim to be Christians. Yet, these same people who fill the pews on Sundays and Saturdays refuse to cooperate with the police when they may have helpful intelligence on crime. They would rather mind their own business. But how can a man say he loves God who he has not seen, but hate his brother who he has seen (1 John 4:20)?

If we love each other, we will look out for each other. We will respect each other and demonstrate that respect through our actions. It is the only way to build strong communities.

There are far more law-abiding citizens in our country than those who are criminally minded. We must not surrender our power to those who demonstrate absolutely no respect for human life, personal property or law and order. We should not, because of fear or indifference, retreat into our homes, pretending that the crime has nothing to do with us. This is a foolhardy strategy. We will never be safe in our homes if the community around us is troubled.

So, on Valentine’s Day let us look out for each other, listen to each other’s stories and be kinder, more patient, respectful and generous with each other. Let
us build communities based on love.