Let’s band together and fight crime

06.JUL.07

Editor: The ULP as a political party promised us if we gave them a chance to become government, they will be tough on crime and causes of crime. They responded on the surface by introducing the Rapid Response Unit (RRU), Special Crime Unit, Black Squad, and tighter legislation to deal with persons who are charged and convicted of gun possession – all of the above-mentioned is good.{{more}}

Crime is a serious problem in St. Vincent and the Grenadines! How should we deal with crime? I am not convinced that government is doing anything to deal with the causes of crime.

We first have to find ways to deal with persons who are involved in criminal activities. We all know there are persons in this country involved in criminal activities, but when the police are informed they say there is nothing they can do until these persons are caught and taken to court. How should we as a society deal with persons involved in criminal activities?

Some persons say Civil Society needs to do more, why do they seem so dormant? Is the Bar Association helping? What’s happening to the Human Rights Association? How should the media deal with the issue of crime? Should anger management be part of our every day lives? What about making sure that Human Rights Department is involved in the private and public sector? By asking these questions, I am hoping we could find answers and ways to deal with the crime situation that is out of control.

It is affecting our country’s development. We all have to come together and deal with this problem of crime. Let’s start with our homes, teachers, workplace, pastors, calypsonians, the newspapers and improved policing. We must find ways to deal with this or everyone will have to pay a high price.

Kingsley DeFreitas