EDITORIAL

Due to a recent upsurge in cases of gun-related violence, numerous Barbadians have expressed their reluctance to participate in Crop Over events and who could really blame them. 

As Barbadians witness this island become more and more like the Wild West, there is a growing concern that more lives could be lost with the casual and carefree pulling of a trigger, by some gun-happy youngsters. Given the information circulating about the possible threat to life and limb at a certain Crop Over event, some Barbadians have gone as far as to withdraw from the event in question, even requesting their money back from some band houses.

 

Enter the Royal Barbados Police Force here. The Force has announced that security is set to be even tighter for the remaining Crop-Over Festival events. Giving the assurance recently was Acting Commissioner of Police, Tyrone Griffith. He maintains that the Force will be doing its best to ensure that the festival events are safe for patrons and visitors alike. 

 

The Force recently announced several changes that will be made to strengthen the security plans and policing of events, especially Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment and one such measure will include an increase in checks and searches of both revellers and those viewing the parades. It has also been noted that all leave will be cancelled for police officers so they can cover the Foreday Morning and Grand Kadooment celebrations. The Royal Barbados Police Force will be working with the Barbados Defence Force and private security firms will also be utilised at several events, as required.

 

We really do hope that the Crop Over festival events are indeed event free and certainly free from any gun violence. We really do not want to hear that any local or visitor is gunned down at any event. We really do hope that cool heads will prevail and the youngsters especially will get the message that walking with a gun and wilfully using it is a no-no and won’t be tolerated during our Crop Over festival. We pray that the security measures will be enough to prevent those bent on doing evil from carrying out whatever plot they may be scheming.

 

That said, we need to now work on our laws to ensure that a message is sent that firearm related crime is a serious matter. Exposure to gun violence is another matter that needs to be addressed as we are not sure how many children and youth have witnessed such and what the effects will be for them as they progress in life. It is nice to hear that government is moving to have a national consultation on the society to tackle the issue of gun violence as well. It is hoped however that something tangible will come of this event that can really address the problem and that the consultation will not be just another talk shop.

 

It is also time that parents have a firm talk with their children and try to get help for those they can clearly see are going down the wrong path. It is no use burying your head in the sand and pretending that you cannot see that someone you helped to raise, is heading for trouble. Perhaps relatives can band together and make an intervention early on, rather than waiting until the horse bolts from the stable to try to address the matter.