NCCP appeals for peace

The NationaL Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP) made an impassioned plea for peace in the nation last Friday staging a peace march and rally in capital Kingstown.

The march, dominated by uniformed nursing students led by the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Band, proceeded from the Victoria Park to Heritage Square where the rally took place.{{more}}

Speaking at the rally, National Security Minister and Chairman of the NCCP, Sir Vincent Beache, appealed for a united approach in fighting violent crimes.

“There has been a spurt in violent crimes,” Sir Vincent stated. “Crimes can only flourish when the righteous turn a blind eye… We cannot allow the minority to put fear into our hearts and to dominate our operations. All of us must be our brothers’ eyes. All of us must unite to stamp out this menace.”

The NCCP chairman reminded Vincentians that crime does not discriminate since it has no political affiliation, respects no race and knows no boundary. He also said the family is left to suffer when the breadwinner is killed and the burden then rests on the government and the citizens of the country.

Sir Vincent further called for the rekindling of the spirit of co-operation between the public and police in the process of peace restoration.

“We want this kind of society back. We want a society where school children can leave school without fear of going home,” he said.

Sir Vincent also called for the discarding of the so-called “boogie” – about crimes being a resultant factor of poverty. He said that the murder of police constable Elson Richardson and taxi driver Pete Joseph, and most of the murders committed this year were not because of poverty but because of “greed and power”.

Sir Vincent appealed to the youth of the nation to be strong and not give in to peer pressure.

The rally heard scripture readings by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Opposition Leader Arnhim Eustace and Rev. George Fredericks.

A number of pastors, including Junior George, Sonny Williams and George Fredricks, along with Police Commissioner William Harry, offered prayers for the nation.

Calls were made for the return of the “neighbourly spirit”, an end to domestic violence and return of respect to the family, for the church, and for its existence between the Govern-ment and the Oppo-sition.

Prayers were also offered for criminals not to succeed and that peace and tranquillity, once enjoyed in this country, would return.

The audience was also treated to spirit-lifting performances from renowned Gospel artistes Fidel Taylor and Gideon Soleyn.

“I can see, I can see the downfall of Satan,” one woman sang heartily as she walked downtown, at the end of the rally.