EDITORIAL: Get involved in the fight against crime, violence

In the past month there have been a number of high profile violent crimes in this country, leading to the death and injury of several Barbadians. Yesterday, the issue of elderly abuse was added to sickening acts festering in this society, and again caused an uproar in the public about reducing crime and violence and getting our country back to a safe, loving environment for every one of its citizens.

 

In seeking to reach this ideal though, it is imperative to realise that the fight against crime is not a spectator sport, to be watched or read about in the media for its sensational storyline alone. Instead, the fight against crime calls for the involvement of more than just law enforcement officers and members of the judiciary, it calls for the co-operation of every individual in society. 

 

It is true that in most instances the battle against criminals is fought on a military front with armed forces. And as is the case with dangerous criminals, members of the public are discouraged from engaing in confrontations, and apprehensions are left in the hands of law enforcement.

 

However, the most notorious criminals in history would still be  walking free if not for the intelligence gathered from civilian sources. It is in this regard that every citizen of this country has an obligation to assist whenever possible, to supply information leading to the arrest and capture of known criminals or leading towards a resolution in a criminal case.

 

To this end, all are urged to support local non-profit organisation Crime Stoppers Barbados, which is charged with co-ordinating such a task – encouraging and facilitating the sharing of information which would assist in solving local crimes. There is no current data available, but up to 2012 (three years after its inception) Crime Stoppers Barbados had been responsible for 60 persons being charged and arrested; 104 cases solved; 3 wanted persons apprehended; $2.25 million in illegal drugs seized; and $260, 000 in stolen property recovered. 

 

The group has even gone futher, by seeking to be more proactive and implementing programmes, such as the “Combatting Crime and Violence through Youth Empowerment” project, which is used to prevent crime from occurring by educating and sensitising the public, and the youth in particular, about the negative consequences of crime. This type of initiative is what is needed if the scourge of crime is to be reduced, if not eliminated, from this society. Persons need to realise that crime is not something that happens to someone else; it affects everyone to some extent. Therefore, everyone should get involved in providing relevant information about crimes to the Royal Barbados Police Force or Crime Stoppers Barbados, and make use of the projects and efforts of social organisations that seek to reform deviant persons or educate and empower those in at-risk environments.

 

In the final analysis, it is all too true that “If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem”.