At the invitation of the Blowing Point Peacemakers, Governor Christina Scott and Commissioner of Police, Mr Rudolph Proctor, accompanied by Chief Minister, Mr Hubert Hughes, the elected representative for Road South, recently attended a meeting at the Blowing Point Youth Centre. The main talking point was shooting incidents in which a number of young men in that community either died or were injured.
Among the main speakers from the community were Mr Curtis Richardson, Ms Donalee Richardson, Mrs Serene Carter-Davis, Mr Delon Lake, Mr Claudel Romney and other persons whose family members suffered from the gun violence over a period of time.
The large gathering was addressed by the Governor, the Commissioner of Police and the Chief Minister.
The following is a press release issued this week by the Governor’s Office:
“The Governor and Commissioner of Police were pleased to accept an invitation from the Blowing Point Community to join them on Thursday 16 January, to discuss issues surrounding gun violence that has caused much soul-searching and heartache right across Anguilla in recent months.
The meeting, which took place in the packed community centre, was attended by over sixty residents, including many youth, and was one of the largest such gatherings in that village recently . In a number of powerful interventions from participants, there was a strong call for an end to violence. There was also acceptance of the fact that all communities in Anguilla need to work with the police to give them information which would assist in bringing the perpetrators of gun crime to justice. Participants raised concerns about how the RAPF is perceived in a number of areas and there was widespread agreement that this is an issue that touches every part of Anguilla.
Reflecting after the meeting, HE the Governor said:
“It is clear that – not just in Blowing Point but right across Anguilla – communities are now determined to put an end to the damage and hurt that gun violence has caused. This will require a whole of society approach. The police must continue to develop their expertise, and work closely with the community to respond to their concerns. Legislators and public officials need to support the police and other agencies tackling gun violence to give them the powers and resources to do their jobs effectively. Our schools, churches, civil society groups and businesses need to determine what they can do to support young people, stamp out criminal behaviour and criticise those who support wrongdoers. More than anything, the public must work with the police, and be willing to provide the evidence that will put behind bars those cowards who wrongly believe that gun violence is acceptable.”
Commissioner of Police Rudolph Proctor added:
“It was encouraging to hear that so many in the community recognise that without information and support from individual citizens it is simply not possible for the police to investigate and prosecute gun crime. I am determined that the RAPF will continue to do everything in its power, working closely with communities right across the island, to bring to justice those responsible for the crimes that deprive families of their loved ones. I recognise that this will not be easy, but I look forward to continuing the valuable cross-community conversation that has now started.”
The Governor and Police Commissioner have made clear that they would be pleased to visit any community that wishes to invite them to have similar discussions about the challenges being faced in Anguilla today. Persons interested in having a meeting in their village or neighbourhood are being encouraged to contact Fiona Wilkinson in the Governor’s office during normal working hours on 497 2621 or e-mail erlyn.wilkinson@gov.ai.
The Blowing Point meeting came just a week before the formal launch, on Friday 24th January, of the National Anti-Violence Campaign by Partners Advocating for Violence Eradication (PAVE). The launch will be held from 3:00pm on the grounds of the Agricultural Department. More details about that event are available from the Ministry of Health and Social Development or the Department of Youth and Culture. Please contact them at telephone numbers 497-3930 or 498-3792.”
