Bro Scout
I was referrin to my misspelt word ‘menton’ not you honey-suckle. I would nevva diss you dat way dawlinks. It was my erra not yours boo.
I agree dat it takes a whole society not only village to help raise a child but nowaday parents are looking to everyone else to raise their offspring except themselves. They have the wrong idea about parenting on the whole and to correct their young uns is like blaspheming. Their precious lil ‘gems’ are untouchable so it is almost impossible to assist in rearing the lil ones and giving them guidance. The pissy parents are quick to ‘carry-on’, hence the blind-eye approach from de older folk.

I’m a simple ol degenerate too, so dat makes two of us. Not to worry pappa. LOLL

@maybe
Couldn’t agree with you more on the last part of your comment. and so we did discarding and disregarding many of our values and customs just to “fit in”with society ever so forgetting that we are sending the wrong messages to the future generation and at the same time expecting them to conform now as a result we have a confused generation hell bent on self destruction

@maybe its just me

There is merit in your position although the lack of a village is part of the dynamic which we should not discount.

@David: “Let us hope the attack on the Senator will galvanize our society into action.

One possibility is to have video cameras installed effectively everywhere; have our cars monitored everywhere they go; have our cell phones tracked to within five meters; have all of our Internet and voice traffic intercepted and recorded.

Personally, I’m OK with that.

Is the average Bajan?

(Here’s a hint — this is already possible; without our knowledge.)

If children have a sense of entitlement, it is because the adults have foolishly made them to believe that they can get whatever they want without much effort.

While we were growing up we had to save our lunch money (if we got any), earn it by doing extra chores in order to buy the things we wanted, now children are given money just so.

The value of earning and effort to achieve, is no longer taught, so we have a generation of young people who believe that they too must have and the only effort they willing to make is to steal it from you.

I don’t think the attack on the senator is going to change anything, unfortunately. I hate to say it – but I think it will only take a really high profile person actually being killed for there to be a great effort, and not even then. I pray that another innocent life is not lost as the result of crime in Barbados.

People will talk about this latest incident for a few days and then it will be business back to normal for most of us. Those of us who can afford to will install more and more of the latest security equipment, effectively becoming prisoners in our own homes while the actual criminals roam around free outside.
It would take a complete change in society and our value system for things to really change. A lot of us feed into the consumerist and class mentality that is motivating a lot of youth to steal. Some of us act as though it is an inalienable right to have a Blackberry, expensive jewellery, the latest designer clothes, or an expensive car, simply because we worked for them. But it isn’t. Many of us believe that “that’s just the way life is” that in every society there are the rich and the poor. If you happen to be poor it’s because you “don’t want to work” and didn’t try hard enough to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, many of us convince ourselves. That is the case sometimes, but not all the time.

Many of us don’t give a second thought, or we love to boast about the “help” we hire to clean our houses and maintain our gardens. Some of us love living in a classist society where some of us have so much and others have so little. And every day all the luxuries that they will never afford are dangled in front of their faces.

@Nia et al…

Why are we being made afraid?

Is there an agenda?

@Nia,

Well said,
Each life is important as the other, pain feels the same no matter who it is.

I recently moved here from the States to Paradise into a beautiful Plantation House in St. Joseph, and had jewelry stolen that was for my children, made by my children and gifts from my husband and friends that totaled more than 25k USD. The thiefs also set the dining table on fire and threw a cement block on my car while I was in the house. I am tired of hearing I should be greatful for not being raped or killed. I am beyond greatful. I lost jewelry that meant alot to me, I have to pay 8500 to fix my car, and I HAD to move as obviously the house was not secure. So I lost the security deposit on top of that. None of my jewelry was dangling in front of anyone, was it stolen because I have more than someone else? because I am white? WHY? I was taught that there are always people who will have more than me and ones who will have less. I chose a career in a profession to aid the less fortunate and many times traded service for cake, cookies, goats and even just smiles. I would not take a paperclip from my office. Because I am honest it makes me angry that now I have to live in a cage instead of the theives. It makes me angry that on such a small island how can they NOT track down cell phones? Why can’t Lime or Digicel help by having a registry for cell phones so a stolen one cannot have a SIM card and they seize it immediately when a fool tries to get one? Why do people BUY the stolen gold, pearls and rubies instead of calling the police? Why do people say Oh, well these things happen? Why isnt there a public crime report so peiople can really see what is happening in an area they want to rent/buy or stay? No social answers are easy. But taking what is not yours is not right EVER. You never know the circumstances of anyones life or how hard they have worked or sacrificed for what they have achieved. Turning your head away and not speaking up or reporting something that is obviously wrong is just as shameful as the act of crime because you are part of the problem when you do not report, when you do not notify. Be happy for what you have. Be happy for what others have, and try to make the world a better place and help others who need it.

@Rabia

Hi lady! so you were robbed. Sorry to hear about your unfortunate ordeal. Yes this is a small island without the many vast resources that is comparable to the USA. so please forgive us !as it is we are very limited in our resources and there is so much we can do given the harshness of the economic times. Things that might seem simplistic can take lots of years for our brightest and best in the judicial system to figure out.Most of us have a laid back attitude and our motto is”Tomorrow” meaning no need to rush. We like American things but we are not in as much of a hurry as Americans. Never fear we will catch that thief in”Bajantime” and when we do we will guarantee you vigilante justice just ask Bonny Peppa or Island girl. Like i say i feel your pain now to make things better go have a “Rum and Coke” and don’t fret about nuttin. because there is always “Tommorow”

I would highly recommend that you obtain or read a copy of the SAS Security Handbook, by Andrew Kain
ISBN # 0434003069. It touches on Security in the Home, In the street, In the car, Abroad, Business and Working in hostile regions.
Even thought I was trained and operated in what was then the toughest city in the world, I still find this book interesting ,easy to read and full of valuable advice.
As Andy McNab ex SAS, and author advises.
“Don’t wait to be a victim of crime. Do yourself a favour-read this book.”

And I didn’t say that those were the ONLY factors for crime. Obviously things like drugs, poor family structure, low morals etc. also are responsible. Because I didn’t mention those factors earlier doesn’t mean I don’t believe that they also play a large part.

We know that our society is failing when ordinary citizens are prepared to hide and cower in the face of this attack from a minority element of our society.

@ac

Are you concluding vigilantism will take root?

The issue here is not about the Police and if it is doing a good job. It is about dealing with the systemic behaviour which is leading to a hardening of crime in Barbados.

@Retired Marine

Then you glowing praise of the RBPF at the expense of mentioning the changing face of crime is a moot one.

The whole issue is, the RBPF, along with the RSS have been seizing quite a number of shipments of drugs recently. Somebody has to find the money to pay the “big boy,” therefore with the advertising of “cash-for-gold” this is an easy target to get quick money. Also with unemployment reaching its highest in 18 years, more people are turning to illegal methods to get money, some women are turning to prositution, men are robbing, selling drugs or some other illegal avenues to made ends meet, because they don’t want to change their lifestyle.This problem will get worse unless we nip it in the bud NOW by giving harsher penalties to the convicted.Failing to do this, these people can become so hardened in their “new found” employent, that they wiil be difficult to get them return to decent living. It’s not easy but it must be done, unfortunately I don’t have an answer.

This incident involving the Senator is just a example of the growing robbery and crime situation in Barbados in general. I am wondering if I am the only person that notice that the only DLP person who came out to speak against this act was the Ministry of Education? Where is the A.General in all of this, why havent we heard him on crime from the murders in St.George? What measures are being put in place to the 55% hike in robberies? Where is the Commissioner of Police, I have come to understand that robbery in this Warrens car park is a weekly event, Warrens is becoming a major business center in Barbados, isnt it time to set up a police outpost, or some kind of station in Warrens also, with foot patrols all through the day/night?
Its time for the people in the various govt posts to do their jobs and be proactive and not just passive.

@St George’s Dragon: “Does anyone know whether Lime and Digicel operate the system which allows networks to refuse access to phones which have their IMEI (serial) number on the GSMA database of stolen phones?

I do not know the answer to this question.

But based on heuristics, I suspect not.

Happy to be corrected, as always.

@Rabia…I am sorry that you have been robbed of your family jewelry and the damage to your car. We do have problems in Paradise and we have take the necessary precautions. I have to be always aware of my surroundings even at at my home. We all have to be responsible for our own protection as best we can. I have dogs inside and anytime I hear them barking I get up to check (while the hubby sleeps). I also have the nearest police station number in my phones (cell and land line). I also have the number of one of my neighbours. Yes we have problems in Paradise. Perhaps I can invite you to a cup of coffee or tea whenever you are in Speightstown. Take care and remember there are thieves in all countries including Paradise.

Thank you for the conveyence of sorrow for my unwanted Welcome to Barbados party.
Dont worry, I am supporting the economy with rum and coke and waiting till tomorrow.
@ Nia many on this list have stated they don’t worry because they have nothing to take. I think the jealousy or anger or inability to obtain nice things does motivate theivery. It is a way to justify their action, well they have and I don’t so I will help myself. If they had raided my fridge it would be a completely different discussion. Along with monetarily valuable jewelry to take things my children have made for me with thier once little hands, which the robbers will throw away is also sad.
@ island girl I dont want dogs, my husband is hairy enough:), but I have settled on burglar bars and alarm. It saddens me to give in to the element that is unwanted in my reality. The setting of my table on fire and the car was just evil.
Barbados may not have as many resources as the US, but the size of the island is not used to its police advantage at times. Security /xray techs at the airport, mailing of packages, and more stringent management of the cash for gold places would be beneficial. And Lime and Digicel should positively be helping with the cell phone crimes. Their rates are pure ridiculousness to begin with, and the cell phone prices too exorbitant. Greed is everywhere not just those who lurk on the outskirts of society!