How Many More Must Die By Gunfire?

HOW MANY MORE Vincentians must die, razed in a hail of bullets in the comfort of their homes, or while conducting legitimate business, or as innocent bystanders, before we collectively stand up and say ENOUGH,TOO MUCH!

The latest spate of murderous shootings, over the past week must be more than enough to prompt us to raise our voices loudly and demand clear action to stop the trend.

Clearly, the police alone have not been able to put a stop to these deadly shootings, and that some sort of collective action and clear direction is needed.

The repeated appeals by the police for information to assist them in apprehending the culprits are yet to produce results, so clearly, as a nation it is our duty to help in seeking some sort of collective strategy.

Complicating the situation is the fact that with elections on the horizon, those in political office will view any such approach as an admission of failure on their part, while those in opposition will of course use it as a call for a new political direction. But it is our citizens who are suffering, on the streets of the capital, in the suburbs, in rural communities, and worse, in what was once the comfort and safety of their own homes and businesses.

What is more than a little worrying is the seeming low-keyed response of Prime Minister Gonsalves, not just on this occasion, but in previous instances as well. Dr Gonsalves is not only Prime Minister, but among his many portfolios is that of National Security.

An outspoken leader in whom many people still repose their trust, his responses to such murder spates has been largely low-keyed. Earlier, he had put forward a strange mix of possible causes for the murder upsurge. But the threat to our nation’s social stability has continued, and, for a man who is not shy of pontificating on matters great or small, far away or here at home, we do not hear much in such times of grief and carnage.

It is allowing space for some misguided social media folk to not only misinterpret the laudable Pan Against Crime Initiative, but to almost cast aspersions on this noble venture; and to rubbish the recent attempts by the police to offer an amnesty to those possessing illegal guns and ammunition.

Where is the leadership and direction from our Prime Minister in times like these? If there is not a ready-made solution, is it too much to seek a broad approach? After all, the safety and security of our citizens must be his number one priority. Its about our QUALITY OF LIFE.