EDITORIAL

The recent spate of shootings in the Britton’s Hill community has left residents uneasy. The top brass of the Royal Barbados Police Force, however, has been quick to reassure and speak to them during a walk-through of the area. This is not an isolated incident, nor is it the first of its kind in this or other communities. As a society, we should critically examine our reaction to and relationship with the security forces and determine how best we can all work together to keep the country safe.

 

Barbadians of yesteryear held great respect for persons in authority. The teachings from home, school and the church ensured that most youth understood and feared the consequences of bad actions. Unfortunately, in modern times a trend has crept into society where there is more scorn for older, simpler, common sense values. 

 

It is evident in the way some young people relate to their elders in all spheres of life. And it shows up quite clearly when some young offenders are so au fait with their rights, they can easily calculate how much “time” they will spend if they are caught committing certain crimes.

 

It is a fact that criminals cannot act in total secrecy. As much as the Force has and will continue to reach out with community service, residents have a responsibility in ensuring they halt future offences by reporting what is occurring in the present. It is unfortunate, though, that among certain persons there is hostile reaction to the police. We would never suggest that all policemen are perfect, not when some officers have been brought before the courts for varied illegal matters. We would be unrealistic to think every member of an organisation is trustworthy. Indeed, who are we when Christ Himself had a traitor in His midst? Like any other member of the public, they too must feel the full weight of the law but those few bad apples should never cause us to disregard the many hardworking and dedicated officers in the Force. By and large, they respond in the best manner they can while working with limited resources, both human and otherwise. 

 

Criminals rarely are deviant without prior cause; they usually exhibit warning signs from early in life. In some extreme cases, they are developed at home by parents who are also lawless. In reality, society itself holds part of the blame through a failure to speak out against ineffective parenting, and by failing to instil the same traditional values and beliefs.

 

At this time of year there are many graduation ceremonies where children at the primary and secondary levels are formally ushered into the next phase of their lives. It is a time of celebration, recognition of their efforts and those who molded them, and the words of wisdom for an important stage of their development. We, their guardians and parents, must make a special effort to take these transition points seriously, and do our best to rear productive, law-abiding members of society. 

 

As much as schools try their best, principals and teachers have made it clear there has been a paradigm shift among our young ones who are exhibiting concerning behaviours and attitudes. It cannot be left up to the school alone; the public can no longer cast the blame on every other institution except the hand that rocks the cradle.