Biabou community treated to Pan Against Crime concert

Last Sunday, May 20, the town of Biabou came alive in a harmony of worship and exhortation, singing of songs and the playing of music.

The event was a Pan Against Crime Concert dubbed “Pan in Harmony” organized by the Pan against Crime Committee as the committee celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the crime fighting initiative which was conceptualized and launched by the Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves in 2008.

The programme kicked off with a melodious praise and worship by members of Police Band headed by Assistant Superintendent Daniel Hall followed by a brief but very powerful exhortation by Evangelist Zonel Wilkinson, who exhorted the audience from John’s Gospel 10:10.Deputy Chairman of the National Commission on Crime Prevention (NCCP), Reverend Dr George Frederick in his brief remarks urged the audience to resist those who want to insult their intellect by telling them right is wrong and wrong is right.

Frederick, in commenting on the lyrical content of some of the songs that are being played on air warned about the subliminal messages that they are sending to our nation’s youths.

He informed that we are living in a technological age where information is transmitted in seconds and that is why we must always seek to send positive messages like Pan against Crime.Deputy Commissioner of Police, Frankie Joseph, beaming with excitement proudly boasted that since the Pan against Crime programme was launched in 2008, none of the young people enrolled over the years has never came to the notice of the Police.

While admitting that no scientific analysis has been done on the programme, he opined that the very fact that young people are channelling their abundant energies in a positive direction is testament that the Pan against Crime programme is working.Joseph lauded the coordinators and the youths who are enrolled in the Police Youth Clubs throughout St Vincent and the Grenadines. He however expressed concern that the Biabou Police Youth Club which he stated was one the largest and most vibrant has become dormant.

He assured the community that the Police High Command has directed the Divisional Commander of the Biabou district and in those other areas where Police Youth Clubs exist to “revive and re-energize” them.Deputy Commissioner Joseph complimented the citizenry for working along and assisting the Police over the years.

He stated that without the valuable cooperation from the public, the Police would find it very difficult to solve crimes. He however warned community and the nation as whole about the dangers of vigilante justice.

The Deputy Commissioner advised the listening audience not to take the law into their own hands if another person assaults or wrong them; but rather, they should report the matter to the Police who are the only criminal investigative body in SVG.

The keynote address was delivered by Frederick Stephenson, Minister of National Mobilization and Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency of South Windward, while the proceedings were chaired by Johnathan Nichols, Retired Assistant Superintendent of Police and member of the Pan against Crime Committee.