Finding solutions
YOU are either a part of the solution or you are a part of the problem.
That’s what this writer truly believes should be the mantra of all Barbadians as we seek to find realistic solutions to the brazen acts of gun violence and other criminal activity we’ve seen in recent times.
One of the important strategies will be technology and I certainly hope that the Royal Barbados Police Force is fully in tune to what is happening on the social media networks at all levels. People talk.
Someone knows something. While the “code” would dictate that persons should not “snitch” or give any information to the police, hopefully someone will realise that this situation can be wrestled quickly if law enforcement officials are given the information they need to ensure the guns are off the streets. This can be done anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
However, the problem with information sharing at a rapid pace is the misinformation that is disseminated and the associated panic that is passed on to the public.
Two nights ago, there were apparently fireworks in the Christ Church area and a voice note was circulated by a concerned citizen about a barrage of gunshots along the tourist belt of the South Coast of the island. Certainly persons may be on edge, but until there is confirmation from the relevant authorities or until you are absolutely sure about the source of information, desist from sharing it and by extension spreading unnecessary panic.
As we all know, people tend to take things more seriously when tragedy hits home. For many of us tragedy has already hit home, especially after the horrific shooting incident which left so many people with gunshot wounds, and one man dead. As a closely-knit society, we know this is intolerable and every attempt must be made to bring those guilty persons to justice.
This writer noted the doom and gloom painted on social media following the shootings. Persons were openly crying down the country, saying that “we are lost”. We are not lost! There are a few persons who unfortunately have veered off-track and are making the country look bad.
Our country is still a paradise, in spite of these tragic incidents and other challenges. It is important that we as citizens believe it and project it for the world to see. It isn’t about putting up a facade. Rather, we are ensuring that people understand that we still have faith in our country.
In the discussion about solutions, it is heartwarming that the general consensus is that no one group can do it alone. However, it must start with our families. Where the families are breaking down, we need all the other groups to step in and help our youth, particularly our young men. Community policy, mentorship, apprenticeship, sporting programmes and of course the Church are all just some of the avenues that we need to tap into in order to show that life is precious, there are alternatives to crime and the life of the criminal is short.