Anguilla has seen a surge in violent deaths over the past few months and while this has been accompanied by some condemnation, this condemnation is accompanied by the observation that the Anguillian populace is becoming desensitized and is now accepting these acts of violence as being commonplace. This observation usually morphs into a discussion as to which authority is failing to take appropriate action. Sadly, in these discussions, there is generally a failure to identify what can be considered to be appropriate action. Most persons, commenting on the recent spate of violence, tend to look beyond themselves for solutions, rather than looking within themselves for solutions. In my opinion this is our first misstep. Engaging in mere rhetoric is generally unhelpful in resolving issues and tends to promote emotive rather than substantive responses to situations.
Each person who makes up Anguilla’s populace must assume certain responsibilities, if we are to be a part of ensuring that we reside in a law abiding and morally responsible society. Our society consists of parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, godparents, friends, neighbours, teachers, students, pastors, legislators, public officials, media representatives and police officers. All of these persons have responsibilities towards each other, and to society generally, and how they carry out their responsibilities will determine what type of society we live in.
While many persons appear to look in the direction of the police, legislators and other public officials when seeking answers that will curb the surge of violence recently experienced, I am of the firm opinion that the greatest impact on the type of society we ultimately create results from the interactions and the willingness of parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, godparents, friends, neighbours, teachers and students to engage appropriately with each other. Such appropriate interactions require that we be our brother’s keeper.
I don’t consider it to be mere conjecture, if one concludes that the one unfailing truth in relation to these violent crimes is that, in many instances, someone other than the actual perpetrators is aware of who committed the violent crime. At the very least, I believe that one can safely conclude that among the many parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, godparents, friends and neighbours who make up Anguilla’s community, some person or persons have justifiable suspicions as to the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators of the individual violent crimes. The failure to share these suspicions, and to denounce the individuals who they know or justifiably suspect to be the perpetrators of these crimes, is the biggest failing being experienced in our community today. Our biggest challenge is how to fix this. It is an individual responsibility that each of us must accept. What programme can be implemented to fix this?
Over the years, many persons have denounced our local Police Chiefs and Commissioners, in favour of British police officers. We now have a British Commissioner in place and this has been the position for at least three years now. It should be clear to all that the mere recruitment of British, or other overseas personnel to head or serve in our police force, will not serve to adequately address the growing spate of violent crimes or any crimes being experienced in Anguilla. If we, who are parents, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, neighbours, teachers and students exercise our obligations to each other, and to the wider society appropriately, this will ultimately be the best solution to quell the growing number of violent crimes.
My challenge to each of us, who makes up Anguilla’s society, is to assume and embrace our role as a parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, godparent, friend, neighbor, teacher, student, pastor, legislator, public official, media representative and police officer, and thereby ensure that in tackling crime in Anguilla we are part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Let’s get past the rhetoric and let our individual actions become the collective action that determines the results we desire and deserve.
