Our society needs to focus on hard work, not money

Editor: Wednesday 19th July, 2023 will go down in history as the bloodiest day in this country. Some five persons died by the bullet of the gun- and the week as the bloodiest week where some seven persons died.

It is indeed a painful experience for every mother, and to some extent fathers. This incident has changed the vibes in capital Kingstown from one of gambling, drinking and even folly to one of quiet and sombreness. We know that eventually things will return to normalcy.

No government can by itself solve these crimes that are occurring. However, thinking soberly about it, we come to realize that our generation today is different than it was ten, fifteen years ago. Today it is revenge and not working out differences. Today there is little respect for lives as against having respect for lives.

The criminals have become more advanced in their crimes and the availability of guns is worrying. The question to be asked is, how are guns coming in and from where are they most likely to come? We know that no matter how vigilant the coast guard is in patrolling the waters and how vigilant the police are in patrolling the areas, criminals would always find a way to succeed in their quest.

The community can play a role in fostering love and togetherness. The homes need to be more bonded where mom and dad and children are able to interact and discuss issues. We need societies where the focus is not on money but to work hard, be honest and live within your means. The justice system ought to offer more satisfaction in terms of the penalty given to those who are found guilty. But on the other hand, there may be persons who are not willing to give evidence so that the criminals are set free. Many times when they are set free, they then become the victim of homicides since persons want to take revenge.

Fighting crimes require all hands on deck. There must also be more stop and search by the police. There must be more concerted effort in getting intelligence and keeping a tag on those who are perceive to be involved in things illegal.

Of importance is the question of – should hanging be brought back? We know it is still on the books, but seldom does anyone receive it.

and we know that according to the Privy Council also the crime has to be the worst of the worst to merit the death penalty. So as a result persons who are sentence to death then appeal and are given life sentence.

This ruling by the Privy Council has made it almost impossible for anyone to be hanged. If we had parted ways with the Privy Council and had CCJ as our final court of appeal, then who knows, maybe persons may have been hanged and who knows, that may have reduced some of the heinous killings we are seeing. Added to that is the fact that persons are afraid to give information since many persons do not believe that their information will be confidential and so they are afraid that if they give information they will become a target for murder.

May God bless this nation and let peace reign.

Kennard King