Vincentians in shock over recent killings

Vincentians are still coming to grips with the killings last weekend that took the lives of five nationals and left the country in a state in shock.{{more}}

SEARCHLIGHT spoke to persons on the streets of Kingstown who shared their feelings about the increase in crime and the issue of public safety.

Rose John, a 38-year-old security guard and a resident of Gomea said she had not heard many details about the killings as her hectic schedule sometimes prevented her from seeing the Evening News. However, John said she was shaken when she heard about the number of deaths between August 28 and 30.

“It’s kind of scary,” she said with a slight frown.

John added that she expected such things to happen, as according to the Bible, “we are living in the last days”. She is confident that if Vincentians follow God’s commandments and love each other crime would decrease.

“They (people) don’t love that way anymore…,” she said. “It seems as if love gone out the window.”

John added that she feels scared, especially for her three young girls. “You don’t know what can happen these days. It’s a bit scary for children… You never know what might happen.”

She said while the Government and other institutions could take steps to help curb the instances of crime and violence, the solution lies within the individuals themselves.

“I don’t think anybody can stop killing but us. We have to do it on our own,” John advised.

In Mitchell Gordon’s opinion, the reason for increasing instances of crime among youths is the fact that they have too much time on their hands. Gordon, a resident of Edinboro, an area known for gang violence, said too many young men are hanging around in Kingstown doing nothing.

“They need something to do with their time!” he stressed.

Gordon, who said he was “frightened” when he first heard about the killings, added he did not fear so much for his own life, but understood why others would be scared to walk the streets.

Gordon called for more police street patrols and more community centres to facilitate activities for now idle young men.

Brensley Ferris, a resident of Kingstown, described the homicides as an “unprecedented” event, adding that he has never heard of so many killings in such a short period. Ferris said he knew one of the two men killed at the Coconut Beach Inn at Indian Bay.

“Fox (Leslie Olliviere) was a cool guy; he never troubled anybody,” Ferris said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police’s initiative to bring peace to communities like Edinboro and Ottley Hall should be extended to other communities riddled with criminal activity.

Stephanie Quashie, also lost a friend last weekend when the charred body of David Charles, 44, of Layou was found, along with those of his girlfriend, Debra Shallow, in a burnt out house at Cane Grove.

Quashie also said she was at the Leeward Bus Terminal when Komer Cyrus, of Layou, was stabbed to death last week.

“I felt bad…It seems like they getting worse everyday,” she said.

Quashie, a resident of Ottley Hall, has been a vendor for almost 15 years and has a stall opposite the entrance to the terminal. She said she tries her best to help the situation of crime among youths by speaking to those under her care.

But Quashie believes true change will only come when people return to the teachings of Christ.(OS)