There is still much talk in Anguilla about the effectiveness of the Walk of Life organised by the Faith Foundation on Wednesday evening, November 6. It attracted a large gathering of children and adults from various villages in support of stamping out gun violence on the island. The meeting place was an area of the grounds of the Clayton Lloyd International Airport, commonly referred to as “Freedom Park”.
Commissioner of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Rudolph Proctor, delivered a very passionate speech urging the young people to put down the guns.
“We cannot allow gun violence to continue, so its means that as Anguillians, and as residents of this 35 sq mile island, we have to group together like how the Faith Foundation has done to speak out against crime and violence,” Mr Proctor said.
“I have been from my position as Commissioner of Police, for many years, asking Anguillans to speak out against violence. We don’t produce guns so they come from somewhere and Anguillians are assisting the youths in bringing them here. The time has come to stop,” Mr Proctor emphasised.
“We have been pursuing those who are involved in gun violence, those who are responsible for killing youths in this country, but we as a Force have been condemned and received criticism from the public,” said.
Mr Proctor who added that between 2000 and 2013, Anguilla had lost a number of persons as a result of gun violence.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett, called on parents to be committed to their job of parenting.
Mrs Petty Barrett, who is the mother of two boys, said while she may have an important job in government, no job is more important to her than being a parent. She stressed that parents must set the pace and tone for their children.
“My duty is to ensure that my children have good morals, respect for themselves, for people and people’s property – and resolve disputes peacefully. Parenting is not an easy task and it takes time and dedication and personal sacrifice,” she said.
The PS said if necessary we have to adjust our lifestyles for our children. “We are our children’s first role models. Who they depend on the most part on who we are.”
She continued: “Just like our regular job, we have to work overtime in being good parents weekdays and weekends. This job doesn’t involve promotions or pay raises. There is no boss on the ground or manual to follow – but only through trial and error and wisdom to seek help from others if needed.
“Our job may not be monetary but our rewards will be evident when our children grow up to be good citizens and contribute positively to society.
“Just as in any organisation, when employees do not do their jobs well the organisation suffers – when a parent does not do her job well the community suffers and this is what we are experiencing today. It’s the job of parents to raise their children right. If we don’t, then we leave their upbringing to chance and they will get their moral teachings from persons with no morals.”
Mrs Petty Barrett said she understood that parents may need two jobs, but it was up to them to make changes in their schedules to accommodate their children. “If we don’t, then we will not recognise our children and they will have no self-worth, no compassion, no regard for human life, and will rob their neighbor at gun point,” she told the gathering.
