As mentioned in the story regarding the recent shooting death in Anguilla, the Blowing Point Peacemakers delivered a letter and a list of issues and ideas to Governor Christina Scott when they marched to her office on Friday, December 27.
The documents were delivered to the Governor by Ms Donalee Richardson, a retired Police Officer, and Aunt of Romario Richardson, the victim of the shooting incident. The Governor welcomed representatives of the group to her office and engaged in discussions with them about their concerns regarding crime and – violence and the role of the Police.
It was agreed that at an appropriate time the Governor and the Commissioner of Police would visit the Bowing Point community for an on-the-spot discussion.
Following are the above-mentioned letter and list of issues and ideas:
22nd December 2013
Her Excellency the Governor
Ms Christina Scott
Government House
Old Ta
Anguilla
Dear Governor
We are writing this correspondence as a community because we wish to express our dire concern over the escalating gun violence in Anguilla resulting in deaths and lifelong injuries. As you are aware there are several’ unsolved murders and several persons living with permanent injuries. We as a community applaud your visits in the community after the massacre attempt but now ask you to seriously go a step further and do deep introspection.
On Saturday, December 21st, 2013, several persons at a function in the Sandy hill vicinity sustained gun injuries resulting in the death of one youngster from Blowing Point. Over the last few years we have witnessecf”the detainment and arrest of several young men in Blowing Point on the premise that they tested positive for gun powder residue. While in other instances where our community has suffered injuries and/or murders, very little has been done or very little results have been forthcoming. A partial mystery is the inability of the RAPF to find gun powder residue on others persons. As a community we therefore insist that you do a thorough investigation into the actions of the RAPF and rid it of the elements of prejudice that is causing the community to lose all faith and confidence in the organisation’s ability to protect, serve and deliver justice.
Our community have borne as much as is humanly possible regarding injustice and questionable act of the Royal Anguilla Police Force investigations. We are doing everything possible within the borders of our community to create a sense of civility and calm. The seams are beginning to show signs of overbearing stress as the number of senseless murders and acts of violence against our residents increase. The Season we are in is one which highlights the genesis of actions to ensure redemption. We are urging you in your capacity to do all that is within your powers to redeem the trust, faith, hope and patience of the Blowing Point Community. We have too many concerns as to the integrity in the higher echelons of the RAPF to evenly divide justice and provide peace.
The time has come for a fresh approach and a new angle of vision to tackle gun crime and violence in Anguilla. Anyone making a case for sustaining the modus operandi is living in a fool’s paradise. Please bear in mind that these acts of gun crimes and violence are not committed in obscurity but are done blatantly in crowded places. This validates the point that the criminals have gained maximum confidence to operate and run rampant due to several factors as aforementioned. Such confidence comes in part from being able to predict with high accuracy the thought processes and responses of the RAPF. Criminals thrive best in an environment where biasness, indifference, neglect and bemusement are prevalent in the combative responses. It is obvious given the bold nature of the latest gun crimes and acts of violence that the criminals in our midst are void of fear or reprimand. We look forward to deep dialogue as together we restore the peace and re-establish the invaluable perspective for human life in Anguilla.
We request an audience with you as soon as is possible.
Yours truly
Blowing Point Peacemakers
BLOWING POINT PEACEMAKERS ISSUES AND IDEAS
We believe that we are the masters of our own destiny. We believe that we get to choose the quality of our community and society in which we live. We want Anguilla to be a land to love and to.proudly call home. Without the commitment on the part of every single citizen, Anguilla cannot continue to be a place fit for human habitation. We therefore stand against any and all whose mission is to steal, kill and destroy within our borders. We must
• Restore the public sense of confidence in the RAPF ability to handle gun
crime
• Bring international assistance in to support the RAPF efforts
• Scrutinize the modus operandi and approach of the RAPF
• Address the public’s charges of biasness and indifference against the RAPF
• Address the perception that the RAPF is influenced in executing their duties
• Enhance the public’s understanding of the need for raids and searches
• Break the national growing sense of powerlessness against criminal elements
• Address the level of public silence until there is courage to speak out for justice
• Address the level of mistrust and disdain within some communities for the RAPF
• Highlight the hard work and professionalism of so worthy members in the RAPF
• Ensure the RAPF take public criticism in a manner so as not to destroy morale.
Create a Community Consultative Group ~ Dispute Committee in the RAPF
• Highlight the effects of gun crime on the investment climate and tourism
industry
• Address the long term impact on Anguilla’s economic stabilization & development
• Make more efficient & effective the Police Services and Criminal Justice
System
• Restructure our social attitudes to rectify decades of accumulated decay
• Promote a culture which recognizes that human life is invaluable & irreplaceable
• Address the socio-economic issues that are conducive to crime- in the nation
• Create stronger relations between the RAPF and national law abiding citizens
• Prevent persons being held arbitrarily for long periods without justification
• Eliminate the public’s perception that there is an attempt to delay or deny justice
• Implement CCTV throughout the various communities for intelligence gathering
• Address the need for greater spiritual awakening and the mentality for
revenge
• Impose laws/zero tolerance for those who traffic in the merchandise of
death
• Strengthen the intelligence gathering as to the sourcellocale of weapons
within
• Combat the imagery of the gangster lifestyle as an option for our youths
• Instill in our youth a higher purpose for living than to steal, kill and destroy
• Address the mindset that violence is the method by which we settle disputes
• Make a conscious turning from the hostile culture as how we relate to each other
• Consistently address the hurt people felt and the lingering pain victims
are feeling
• Promote a national wide campaign of loving your neighbor as you love yourself
• Have days when citizens of different communities walk freely on the so
call turfs
• Create the avenue for who choose to turn in their weapons to do so without fear
• Insist that people in the Entertainment and Arts be responsible in their
messages
• Invest more in our communities to assist the indigent and less fortunate
Blowing Point Peacemakers