In February 2009 BU posted Rihanna To Turn Spotlight On Domestic Violence which she suffered from hands of Chris Brown. Although there is the evidence Rihanna has achieved her objective of ‘good girl gone bad’, we agree that when a high profile person adopts a cause it attracts more attention than if the average Joe or Jane did the same. That is the way it is, deal with it!
The recent and unfortunate experience which Senator Irene Sandiford-Gardner had in Warrens car park is another example of a prominent person drawing attention to a situation hopefully for the better. Of course similar acts have been occurring almost on a daily basis but never attract the front page cover which the Senator got on Friday. BU of course joins with the many Barbadians who wish the Senator well and a speedy recovery.
For months the public has become very concerned about the prevalence of crime in Barbados. The concern has heightened in recent weeks. Public concern has not* been quelled by the politically correct statements issued by Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite or Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin. It is understandable the response by officials is to issue statements which will promote calm. However there is a point when the reality of any situation must be confronted with a view to formulating an action plan; we have reached that point. While it is the job of the Police to serve and protect, it is the job of all of us to make the job of the Police that much easier.
Whether we are witnessing a minority element in society who feel disenfranchised because of warped expectations for whatever reason, have become social misfits as a result of parental delinquency, the economic times have encouraged the morally weak to turn to crime or all the above, we cannot throw our hands in the air, rely on suave public statements or pleading with the demon possessed. We have to collaborate, shape a plan and execute it!
By the way Senator, all agree that Supercentre Warrens car park could do with better lighting but it will not address the heart of the problem. Only last week a similar incident minus the stabbing occurred in PriceSmart car park; in ‘broad’ day light! The deviant and criminal behaviour raising its ugly head is symptomatic of a fissure deep within the social construct of our society. To fix it we have to come together in the national interest even if it means setting aside ‘positions’. Which is more important anyway?
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