PAN AFRICANIST David Comissiong says Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin’s approach to the crime situation in Barbados is not the correct one.
Comissiong made this claim as he spoke during a Press conference at the Clement Payne Cultural Centre, where the September 3 Foundation was launched. The body was formed in memory of the six victims of the Campus Trendz tragedy last year and to conduct charitable projects in their names and memories to mark the first anniversary of that incident.
Speaking as a representative of the foundation, Comissiong said the ongoing issue of crime and violence signified that there were some deep-rooted problems in Barbados that needed to be addressed.
“I would like to say to the Commissioner of Police, I understand what he is trying to do. He wants to reassure Barbadians not to get unduly disturbed; most of these murders are as a result of domestic situations. But I think that approach is not the correct approach. We have to recognize the hard, ugly truth.”
“It is counterproductive to try to be reassuring people and trying to say that it is not as bad as we think it is . . . We need to be very honest with ourselves . . . It is a deep-rooted problem and it is going to call for an all hands on deck approach.”
On Saturday, September 3, there will be a public march against crime and violence beginning at 5 p.m. on Tudor Street, moving into Milk Market, on to Broad Street, then to Trafalgar Street and Constitution Road, and ending at Queen’s Park.
At 6 p.m., following the march, there will be a special commemorative event at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed under the theme Revelation. Comissiong said that the event would be dedicated to remembering the six young ladies in a positive way, featuring outstanding local artistes such as John King, Richard Stoute, and the St Leonard’s Boys’ Choir.
On Sunday, September 4, a church service will be held at the St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral. (AH)
