Submitted by GoWeb Caribbean
At the time the Late David Thompson, then Leader of Opposition, had embarked on his unforgettable “Crime and Violence” election campaign, he was he subject of much ridicule, particularly from the ranks of the then ruling Barbados Labour Party.
Today, in 2010, as we look at the collection of recently perpetrated crimes in this society, one cannot help but ask the question, “Was Thompson’s campaign a prophetic one?”
We have had the murder of a Canadian tourist, a story reaching international attention, and a potential blow to Barbados’ tourism drive. Add to that the fire bombing of “Chicken Galore” in Bank Hall. Robberies are no strange occurrence in the Barbadian landscape, but the perpetrators usually vacate the scene without altercation upon securing their loots. It therefore gripped the entire country to hear that these robbers proceeded to fire bomb the still occupied establishment subsequent to the completion of the robbery.
This was unprecedented in Barbados, until it was repeated again, in short order, this time with fatal repercussions. The robbery and fire bombing of the “Campus Trends” store in Bridgetown, which claimed the lives of six, plunged the island into open mourning. This atrocity prompted choruses of “Somebody got to hang for this” across our beautiful landscape.
With the apprehension of two suspects, people probably thought that was the end of this crime spree unnatural to this nation, but then the recent news of a door-to-door salesman murdered at close range during the performance of his job has raised further public concern. If you aren’t safe while sitting in your own vehicle, or standing in your place of employment, where can you be safe?
It is my pray that we are able as a nation to control this upsurge in crime which is currently being witnesses in our precious nation.
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