There appears to be hardly any lull or truce in the gun violence besettingAnguilla. Just when the population was beginning to settle down from the agony of the shootings, another incident occurred last weekend. It is a very pathetic situation, giving rise to serious issues of concern and insecurity particularly with respect to certain persons, who may now feel that they are living in fear, and the population in general. This should not be in an island which has been regarded as a paradise, and where tranquility is a much advertised national characteristic.
Despite the trauma and other discomfort that each shooting and other violent criminal acts inflict on our small society, and the fact that those committing the heinous crimes are difficult to track down, there is however some hope. Yes, there is much silence among certain members of our citizenry, who obviously must have some information regarding the perpetrators of violence, but the growing concern everybody else is having may soon have some positive results.
It is indeed heartening that there is now an outcry coming from our political leaders and other persons vying for leadership roles. That they are now publicly and fearlessly joining their voices with civil society, including the churches and community organisations, is indeed commendable. It is especially welcoming that the Chief Minister has gone on public media to condemn the violence “from east to west and west to east” and, of course, from north to south and vice versa. Something must be done urgently to halt this madness from engulfing our fair land.
It must be encouraging to the leadership and all ranks of our Police Force to feel that, at last, their pleas for support has resonated on the ear drums of the political directorate which is now determined to help stem the violence. The public in general, too, must take a stand as it appears that many of our people are fed up with the shootings and the damage they are causing to our fragile economy.
We have just celebrated the 45th Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution, and should be looking forward to solidifying our position as a small developing state where security and law and order are paramount to our continued growth and national pride. To be pre-occupied with fighting crime is not only a great hindrance toour moving forward, but a flagrant disgrace.
While we are all concerned about “washing our dirty linen” in public, by recounting and lamenting the issues of violent crime in the island, there is no reason to remain silent and afraid. There is a need to speak out and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. We cannot become wary in our condemnation of violence because the peace and quiet in our island nation, and its progress, depend on it.
In the midst of our anguish there is, however, relief that all is not lost. Our society is not only concerned about gun violence, but there are loud voices rising up against it and anxious to see a screeching halt to the untenable situation. That public concern alone is a relief for many in Anguillaespecially when our political leadership is fearlessly takingon the challenge and urging everyone else to follow suit.
