A truce between warring gangs was brokered by former gang boss Winston ‘Iston’ Branch earlier in the year, to the embarrassment of the country. He accomplished what officialdom and a citizenry living in fear could not. According to BU Murder Counter 11 murders have been committed at month seven of 12. Barbados is on track to have its lowest number of murders in recent years. A good news story?
Unfortunately as we are breathing a sigh of relief at a declining murder rate, there has been an alarming increase in other criminal activity. In recent hours and days there has been two cutlass wielding attacks, one of them taking place on Broad Street at 11AM. The other next to a primary school which thankfully students are on summer break. It is interesting that in both cases the police reported shooting the victims to prevent escalation. A sign of things to come no doubt.
For many years the blogmaster joined with others to warn we had become negligent looking after our small country. We looked the other way instead of proactively implementing measures to quell deviance showing in the country – see BU Artcles. One glaring example is how we have allowed the minibus/Zr sub culture to toxify mainstream culture. As you move around Barbados it is not uncommon to observe and detect- in the light of day – the sale and smell of drugs. An obvious indication the lack of respect for law and order by a section of the population.
Last week teenagers were captured on video scuffling with the police who were summoned to shutdown a Crop Over party targeting teens. One does not have to do too much forward thinking to anticipate what a tomorrow Barbados is shaping up to be. If tomorrow’s generation is finding it hard to exercise the best judgement and quick to resort to violent ways to resolve matters, what does it portend for our country that was known not too long ago for its political and social stability? We have not reached the levels of crime in Jamaica and Trinidad but we are well on our way.
The fact recent incidents occurred smack dab on the Crop Over calendar has implications for the economic performance. It is obvious lawmakers and the police are like the proverbial deer caught in headlights. A couple weeks ago there was an organized assault by hundreds of lawless individuals that breached the security fence of a popular crop over fete. Since the incident occurred it has been reported event organizers have struggled to secure the required public liability insurance to stage public events and in some cases have had to cancel or postpone.
Unfortunately the proclamation by a beleaguered Attorney General Dale Marshall that the increasing level of criminal activity …”is not something that we either will not tolerate or want to tolerate”, will hold no resonance with Barbadians. And what about the citizenry, why have we remained silent and not assisted with winning back our society from those happy to engage in criminal behaviour? To the mothers and fathers who have been delinquent in our parental responsibilities. To corporate Barbados who have not been as generous to commit resources to assist with programs to ensure the environment is the best to do business…
It is obvious the government cannot do it alone. It is obvious successive governments have demonstrated general incompetence and leadership at implementing fit for purpose policies. It is obvious the spirit of volunteerism that was a key plank of our culture in bygone years has been replaced by selfishness.
Can anyone remind the Blog who is the President of the National Parent Teachers Association?
Where do we go from here?
We have several battles civil society will have to develop plans.
- Improve enforcement plans, we must become more aggressive
- Social programs to message the youth at primary and secondary
- Support to address parental delinquency
- Hold public officials accountable to address distrust, apathy and cynicism
- Create sensitization programs targeting citizens – it must be made to clear, we are ALL guardians of our fate
Deus adiuvet nos!
David, I’m not attempting to make a comparison, but, reading this thread reminded me SVG has recorded 12 murders, so far, for July 2023, 7 of which were committed this week. On Tuesday, two men were killed in separate incidents, while 5 males, including a 13 year minor, were shot and killed in Kingstown last night (Wednesday), during an incident that has been described as a ‘mass shooting.’
@Artax
Is the number of murders 12 or 17. There definitely is a trend upward regarding murders and violent crime in the region. What does it tell us?
David, based on the information I’ve seen, 5 murders were committed between July 1st and 9th, with 7 occurring this week. SVG police indicated that among the 5 killed last night, were individuals who survived previous attempts to kill them. Reports on social media suggest the gun men are St. Lucians. The problem is, social media gives everyone ‘a voice,’ as it provides a platform for them to talk shiite, which gullible clowns accept and share as truth, without verifying the authenticity of the comments and credibility of its source. But, you are correct, there is definitely ‘an upward trend relative to murders and other violent crimes in the region.’
It should beg the question Artax given the threat of continuing crime and violence to upend the stability of regional shouldn’t regional governments see an urgent need to strengthen collaboration on this matter? Are we seeing enough from the HOGs?
Yes, David, I agree regional government should, as a priority, embark on a more detailed collaborative effort to combat crime in the region, including sharing of certain intelligence, while not compromising each territory’s national security. I believe this could be achieved by expanding the role of the RSS. No, ‘we are not seeing enough from HOGs. For example, SVG’s Deputy PM Daniel responded to last night’s ‘mass shooting,’ by holding an emergency meeting, during which they discussed formulating solutions to reduce ‘the space in which criminal groups operate,’ and police and boarder should be ‘on high alert.’ Simple ‘knee jerk’ reactions, especially if one considers that SVG CoP John said less than 100 persons are involved in these reprisals, the majority of whom are linked to a drug deal ‘gone bad’ nine years ago, in 2014.
Agree with you Artax. When CLICO collapsed there was talk about regional cooperation to combat catastrophic risk and should the blogmaster add corruption? Do not forget white collar crime is part of the problem, much needed resources are leaked therefore legitimate individuals and organizations are robbed. We must do more at every level, really!
Of course, David, you should definitely add corruption. Unfortunately, however, there is one aspect of corruption that may be difficult to control. Let me give you an example. Cecil Connor, alias Charles ‘Little Nut’ Miller, was a Kittitian ‘drug lord’ who allegedly financed SKN Labour Party’s 1995 election campaign. He was also alleged to have killed several of his rivals in the drug trade, a deputy PM’s son and his girl-friend, the then OIC of SKN police drug squad, and jury tampering. Cases were thrown out due to lack of evidence. Miller was wanted in the USA for conspiracy to smuggle 1/2 ton of cocaine into the US through Miami, in 1995. Requests by the US for Miller’s extradition were rejected by SKN magistrates, some due to the lack of evidence. Obviously, he enjoyed the protection of a corrupt political system, until he eventually ‘threw in the towel’ some time during 2000.
Fair enough Artax. You are correct many corrupt officers seem to be protected by the system. There is no reason why the FIU should not be charging more people spending ill gotten gains. That is another matter.
David, is FIU a reference to the Financial Intelligence Unit? If so, then, the FIU is more administrative in function than prosecutorial. The Unit is simply an intermediary between financial institutions and law enforcement agencies. For example, the Unit would analyse certain financial information from a bank, and submit the disclosures to BPS Financial Crimes Investigation Unit.
@Artax
Fair enough, you mean that unit has been unable “to analyse certain financial information from a bank, and submit the disclosures to BPS Financial Crimes Investigation Unit” that is compelling enough to support charges? The blogmaster has been unable to discover a major charge in recent years triggered by that unit.
David, the FIU is primarily with issues relating to proliferation financing, which is essentially providing financial services or financing for the purchase, manufacture, transporting or stockpiling chemical, biological or nuclear weapons; money laundering and financing acts of terrorism. Financial institutions would usually submit reports of suspicous financial transctions to the FIU for analysis. In my previous contribution I was reluctant to mention that we should bear in mind, not every case is publicised. In October 2021, the Central Bank held an interesting discussion on ‘Financial Fraud in Barbados.’ It’s available on YouTube. Heads of FIU, FSC and the police FCIU were among the panelists.
****** primarily concerned……
I saw a picture of what happened in St. Vincent with four dead bodies on the ground, bloody and awful, not nice.
Going around on whatsapp.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cu8A0_DNW8O/
@ Waru,
They were warned that CBI schemes would ultimately compromise the free movement of their own people.
https://www.stvincenttimes.com/dominica-loses-visa-free-access-to-the-uk-due-to-security-concerns/
Source: Nation
They believe they are invincible and untouchable based entirely on the litlle dog whistles in the shape of colonial titles and diplomatic passports they carry..thanks to voters….
..now they will see that borrow does not mean own.
People worry when body counts rise or become regular, but the bigger issue is prevention of Caribbean becoming like South America with syndicate cartels.
“Technology is very slippery, you just can’t put your hands on it and it works, it sometimes take years.”
Years?
This is conditioning people to accept a low/non performance; this is telling folks not to expect a quick response; setting the bar at the lowest level.
Do you know they will not clear the bar. A few years will pass and all will forget, except the victims.
David,
Weird though. Two shot, none dead. Are they better shots than the Americans?
Donna
Those situations are not as simple as they may appear.
But, depending on the circumstances and in the interest of their own safety and that of the public, police would’ve used as much force as was reasonably necessary to incapacitate the suspects.
@Donna
It called to attention when AG Marshall proclaimed lawless persons will not be allowed to disrupt crop over. He spoke with an unsupported certainty given how we got here. The blogmaster hopes we are not entering the realm of ‘extrajudicial’ behaviours.
Before The Panthers
In order to understand how an organisation like the Black Panther Party could come into existence, it is important to understand the history of oppression and the struggle for freedom endured by Africans and their descendants in America.
The first Africans were brought as slaves to European Colonies in North America, South America and the Caribbean.
David, are you implying there is a correlation between AG Marshall’s warnings and police shooting the two robbery suspects?
@Artax
The blogmaster is saying it is very usual to hear about local police having shot two knife wielding individuals in a 48 hour period and at the same time AG Marshall making promises the most optimistic will admit successive governments have been challenged to keep.
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
Since we know better, found out both men are supposedly outpatients of the psychiatric hospitsl, easily manipulated, and always zoned out on psychotropic drugs….can anyone say….SET UP to make FAKE NEWS…
Not unlike the two little fools, supposedly paid to stage a robbery on a ZR….until one got scared and cried for mummy…now we got a potential road march…..SET UP to make FAKE NEWS…
Desperate and corrupt, do desperate things…
David, do you mean ‘usual’ or ‘unusual?’ The BPS has a ‘Use of Force’ policy. I believe the AG’s comments and police shootings were coincidental…. and not ‘deliberately arranged.’
@Artax
Just a thought that popped into a lowly blogmaster’s head. Hope you are correct.
@Artax
Your thoughts on COP Boyce’s crime report that reported crime is down by 1%? Up to last night there were messages circulating about 2 robberies? We are entering a very dark period. What separated our society from others was a predictable stability. It seems to be disappearing given how society is changing.
As a result of an attempted robbery of a ‘ZR’ driver, PSV operators are asking the police to ‘give them tips on how to deal with security issues.’ That ‘government’ and the AG need to do more to combat crime rather than give ‘lip service.’ Although I agree with comments, it’s their reaction now ‘the shoe is on the other foot.’ These guys break the law every day, believing that ‘trying to earn a dollar’ is justifcation to do so. Over loading, speeding, driving recklessly or driving while drinking alcoholic beverages or under the influence of any illegal controlled substance, clearly demonstrates a blatant disregard of passenger safety and that of people using the roads. ‘Dragging’ impedes the free flow of traffic. The PSV operators must also work with the police to end the lawlessness.
@Artax
Until civil society come to the realization we have to collaborate and cooperate, we will get nowhere. How many citizens knowingly withhold information from the authorities and have an expectation for the BPS to solve crimes.
Here is a thought- the exploits of a Zr driver who decided to throw caution to the wind has captured local, regional and international attention. The driver, Fatman he is called has achieved celebrity fame. It will be interesting to observe if his newly found notoriety is leveraged to persuade actors in the PSV vector to clean up their act.
Interstingly, David, some people condone and encourage the nonsense perpetrated by PSV operators. I was in Oistins an afternoon when I saw a lady and her elderly attempt to board a ZR. The lady politely asked the driver if he could please lower the music because her mother was not feeling well and had just left the doctor. Her request was met with a cussing from the conductor and passengers, who also suggested she should buy a car.
@Artax
You must have seen the video of a returning national in a yellow bus glamorizing the shenanigans of the driver? Tourists onboard were encouraged to get in on the act. The zr/minibus subculture epitomizes the problem. There is acceptance by a large segment the public. Same with crime.
David, seems as though ‘Fatman’ staged the robbery perhaps in an effort to “capture local, regional and international attention.” One of the two attemted robbery suspects is reported to be in police custody. I understand the two guys were wanted for questioning in connection with crimes they were also probably ‘set up’ to commit.
Jussie Smollett
Fatman the celeb was on Brasstacks yesterday.
How long is too long? The slow investigative work of the police is symptomatic of a bigger problem. We wonder why the public has lacks trust in the police, a key element in maintaining justice in the country.
How long is too long? The slow investigative work of the police is symptomatic of a bigger problem.”
@ David
Bear in mind, investigations are not concluded as quickly as you may see on TV series such as ‘Law & Order, CSI, Vera, Chicago PD, Ruth Rendell’s Mysteries, or Endeavour.’
Detectives have to gather evidence and wait on results of forensic tests, conduct investigations, which may involve ‘following several leads,’ some of which may prove to be ‘dead ends.’
Questioning witnesses and suspects (some of whom may be difficult to locate), and investigating their alibis.
The process can be more complicated than what we assume.
@Artax
Unfortunately given prior cases there will always be public distrust in the BPS investigating itself.
Sickening
“Unfortunately given prior cases there will always be public distrust in the BPS investigating itself.”
@ David
Are you referring to the Police Complaints Authority investigating allegations of police misconduct, brutality etc?
If so, then I share your concerns about ‘police investigating police.’
I know of cases involving complaints against police officers that resulted in a few of them either being dismissed from the service or incarcerated.
However, there were cases where others were cleared of allegations against them, because, for example, the investigators found the suspected officers did not violate standard police protocols or their actions were not in violation of the use of force policy.
Complaints of beating or using unauthorised methods on suspects to solicit confessions; forcibly entering premises without search warrants, immediately comes to mind.
Source: Nation
I understand Garnes’ concerns and taking legal action against the CoP in the course of representing his client. However, I also believe the Bar Association should demonstrate a similar amount of enthusiasm in dealing with complaints invovling lawyers who defraud their clients.