Government is being called upon to spare no effort in ensuring that the Royal Barbados Police Force is adequately resourced in terms of personnel, training and equipment.
Joining with those voicing their concerns and condemning the upsurge of gun violence in Barbados, the Anglican Church’s Commission on Advocacy and Social Justice is urging for swift action by all Barbadians to address this “obvious threat to the peace, stability and prosperity of our country”.
Applauding the heroic efforts of the Royal Barbados Police Force who risk life and limb to ensure that Barbados remains a relatively safe place to live and to visit, Chairman of the group John Goddard said that an expansion of the community policing programme is needed in order to promote a healthy relationship between the police and the communities across Barbados.
“We also encourage the management of the Police Force to redouble their effort to have the relevant department investigate and prosecute those individuals/groups, clearly with the financial capability and connections, who are bringing firearms into the island and facilitating their sale and/or rental to vulnerable youth,” he outlined in a release to the media yesterday.
Supporting the argument of the Bishop of Barbados, the Right Reverend Michael Maxwell, that much of the crime and violence plaguing the society “stems from the fact that we, as a society, have long ignored those on the fringes who have not received our love, care, support and our guidance in the midst of their early struggles in life”, the Commission highlighted that persons are not predestined to be criminals, but are shaped by their environment, and thus, all have “a responsibility to provide a wholesome and nurturing environment for young people, so that they may develop into productive citizens”.
Indicating the findings of the Criminal Justice and Planning Unit, noting the close connection between schooling and rising crime, Goddard encouraged Government to urgently reform the educational system with the aim of making it more responsive to the needs of all of the nation’s children.
“As part of the Anglican Church’s commitment to tackling the problem of violence, during the month of May, the Commission on Advocacy and Social Justice will be launching a project themed ‘Empowering our Young People for Positive Living’. As a lead-up to the main programme, we will be using radio, Facebook and Instagram to broadcast a Red Plastic Bag written and sung jingle, entitled ‘Stop The Violence’.
“Stemming the rising tide of violence in our society requires the effort of all persons of good will. The Social Justice Commission, therefore, invites fellow citizens, regardless of religious persuasion or social class, to play their part,” he stated.