Over the past week it is reported that there was an attempted robbery at the famous Blanchard’s Restaurant. This incident took place in the mid-evening at a time when international patrons were enjoying a relaxing dining experience at this exquisite venue for culinary delights adjacent to magnificent Mead’s Bay Beach in Paradise. It is reported that among the diners were a number of visitors who were in Anguilla for the first time. While they must have been shocked and traumatized — I am certain that returning visitors and staff were equally surprised by such an incident occurring in the midst of the dinner service. To the best of my recollection, and based on my inquiries, this has never happened in any of our top restaurants while patrons were being served. If there is any good news in this report it is that no one was physically hurt. However, there is reputational damage that cannot be adequately quantified at this time. Fortunately, I am told that were it not for the presence of security services provided by a company owned by a former Commissioner of Police it may well have been a much more serious event.
There are many questions to be asked regarding this incident as we seek to understand how approximately six young men could be so emboldened and desperate that they would venture to commit such a robbery in prime time. Do any of these young men have any idea of the damage their action could cause to the image of Anguilla as a tourist destination? Are we to believe that among those six young men there was not one who said: “this is not a good idea”? Are there many more such groups of youngsters on the island who are prepared to commit similar acts? Is this an isolated incident or a sign of more such incidents to come? And the most important of all the questions: Where have we gone wrong as a community?
The last question is important because it acknowledges that this incident is not accidental. It acknowledges that we as a community must take responsibility for such incidents in one way or another. It acknowledges that it is not about any one agency, individual or group of persons. It acknowledges that as a community we must work at “fixing it” together. While we continue play the blame game on crime and its sources — we continue to miss the opportunity to “fix it”.
I make this point because it is ironic that what I consider to be one of the most dangerous direct attacks, on our tourism industry during the recent spate of criminal activity, took place in the midst of Police Week. And especially because there is the tendency to blame the Police Force alone for the prevalence of crime in our community. In this regard, I take on board the comments of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. D. Rudolph Proctor, who in a very balanced address last week spoke to the importance of the successful implementation of a Community Partnership program that works “with all sectors of society and all our citizens”. The incident at Blanchard’s certainly did not happen because the Police were asleep on the job — it happened because the society as a whole has allowed an environment to develop that is conducive to the breeding of youngsters who commit such crimes. And also as the Commissioner pointed out in his address “there is a lot of emotion ……. and some in the community are quick to apportion blame while offering no assistance or solutions.”
Another important question for consideration, in the midst of these concerns, is whether the Police is getting the support it needs from the highest echelons of Government to carry out its responsibilities. I make this point because the Chief Minister continues to complain that the Governor is putting pressure on his budget by making the case for additional police officers and equipment. He made this statement even at a time when the community is crying out for more police presence and for more Anguillian officers in the Force. But most of all it gives the impression that the Chief Minister is not sensitive to the serious challenges facing the Police Force and does not appreciate the relationship between internal security and sustainable economic development. Given the increase in criminal activity in recent times it would seem obvious that more police officers patrolling key areas would be a disincentive to the perpetrators of incidents such as occurred at Blanchard’s — even though not the root cause.
In this context, there are two conflicting messages coming out of Police Week. Firstly, I was indeed happy to see the fifteen new recruits to the Force who attended the Opening Service for Police Week at St. Augustine’s. This clearly showed that the Chief Minister and his colleagues had approved the request for additional officers in the Executive Council. It could not have been possible, no matter what the Governor wanted, if the Ministers did not give this increase in the establishment their full support. And it was refreshing to note that all the recruits enrolled were from Anguilla. This was indeed a positive message. However, the next message was not at all positive. As was pointed out in The Anguillian’s Editorial last week, there was a glaring absence of Ministers of Government (including the Chief Minister) at the Opening Church Service at St Augustine’s. One would have thought that given the fact that all the Ministers were on island at least a two of them could have attended. It is an event that is scheduled far in advance (with invitation) and it is therefore inconceivable that four “no-shows” could be accidental.
But what is most disappointing is that fifteen new young recruits, proud of their decision to join the Police Force, did not feel the support from their Government at this memorable juncture in their life. On the other hand, six young robbers at Blanchard’s get the attention of the entire community for their dastardly act against our tourist industry, while fifteen young recruits who have committed their service to the security of the nation get slighted by Ministers of Government at their debut. It is indeed puzzling that a Government, that seems always ready to make politics out of everything, could miss such a great opportunity to show its appreciation for our security forces and for positive young people. Conflicting for real!
It is by encouraging more positive attitudes in our young people that we will secure our development. Our leaders must support and applaud positive young people as readily and as forcefully as they condemn those who are involved in criminal and unsocial behaviour. But one cannot help but notice the abusive rhetoric and confrontational approach that our Government has embraced, and the possible impact it can have on the attitude of our young people. There is no secret that the Chief Minister has made complimentary statements about the conduct of inmates at H.M. Prison to further his own political agenda; has disrespected and maligned teachers in whose hands the training of our young people rests; has spoken disparagingly about developers; and has threatened to lead Anguillians with stick and stones against an imaginary enemy. How has this style, approach and attitude affected our youth in these challenging economic times? Has it in anyway led them to believe that confrontation and aggression is the way to address their plight?
These are serious questions but we must not lose sight of the responsibility of all of us as a community. Once again, the community is concerned about this recent threat to our national development, especially because it seems to be attacking the “golden goose”: Tourism. Visions of an escalation of this kind of incident disturb our normal complacency — as we recall what happened on a neighbouring island over twenty years ago. Yet, once again, many of us will be running around like headless chickens apportioning blame; dusting off old proposals; calling forums; and making promises. Don’t get me wrong! To panic is human — but it is not productive. We need to put aside our egos; our politics; our fears; and our differences — and acknowledge that we can only “fix it together!” That will be a very good place to start!
