Government officials used the introductory portions of their press conference on Tuesday this week to condemn what they alluded to as the “scourge of violence” affecting Anguilla.
Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, said in part: “This week [Monday, February 8], we were once again faced with another incident which certainly mars Anguilla and our concept of Tranquillity Wrapped in Blue. These things are occurring more and more in broad daylight. It means that the perpetrators of these incidents have been emboldened by whatever situation has been developed as a result of their actions, and it is important that the entire community comes together to remove what I have referred to in other broadcasts as the scourge of violence in our communities.
“One incident took place a couple months ago in broad daylight in a street where one of the youngsters was working. Another one took place in a parking lot late at night when the victim had been returning from a long day’s work – going back home to his family. In the incident this week, thankfully, even though somebody was maimed or hurt, there was no loss of life. But this happened in broad day light at this person’s workplace. We seem at a loss in finding ways and means to deal with these incidents.
“The Royal Anguilla Police Force is doing its best but it needs the support of the public. It cannot do it alone. Its ability to bring these perpetrators to justice can really only come as a result of real evidence – persons who have information about these incidents. But the fact we face is that these incidents do not happen out of the blue. They come as a result of situations that have existed within our communities for a long time. When it is time for the police to get involved, it is too late – either a life is lost or somebody is maimed. Families are put to grieve and we continue to have this on again, off again, approach in responding to these incidents. The Anguilla United Front Government, during its campaign, presented a document in which it pledged to implement a programme to deal with all aspects of the proliferation of violence and gun violence particularly in our communities. It is important that we move forward aggressively with implementing those measures, programmes, policies, to make a difference in our community.
“I want to take this opportunity to send out my sympathy to the families of the youngster who was hurt yesterday at his work place; and of course it is an indication that all is not well in our community; and these incidents of violence continue to plague us as we go forward. This is not consistent with the Anguilla that we pledged to develop as our country.”
Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor, in regretting the criminal activities on the island, repeated a previous statement that the business sector and the community of West End were working towards a policing arrangement, in the district, in cooperation with the Royal Anguilla Police Force. He was pleased with the participation of all concerned.
The Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, joined in expressing condolences to the families of the young victims. “It is always difficult, when sitting in the halls of Government, to have to deal with issues of violence,” he observed. “We could sit down and point fingers but at the end of the day we have to come up with solutions – and not just the elected members of Government – but all of us as a nation… I say to the families that the individual who was injured yesterday, in broad daylight, is another indication that there are some serious issues that all of us, collectively, must come together to address. Those in law enforcement, civil society, and those of us who are in Government, must all work together to be able to stem the scourge of violence in Anguilla.
Mr. Curtis Richardson, Minister of Infrastructure, had this to say about crime: “I would just like to start at the point that is most repeated by everyone. Anguilla was always famous for its culture that life was invaluable and irreplaceable. We must do whatever it takes to regain this title as being the safest place on earth for human beings to co-exist. Anyone living in Anguilla who does not share this culture, must know that, from my perspective, you are not welcome among us; you are not welcome to live among us; and you are not welcome to hide among us. That is all I have to say about the whole issue of crime and the escalating violence that has been taking place here. I think that almost everyone has reached a point where they have had more than enough of it. I express my condolences to the families. Indeed, it must be extremely painful to lose loved ones in that fashion or to have them injured in that manner.”
