I THINK WE ALL KNEW that there has been an increase in gun crimes in Barbados.
Even when we take into consideration the statement by the Commissioner of Police that there has not been a catastrophic increase, most of us, once we are not living in la-la land, get the sense that the almost daily occurrence suggests some upsurge. I believe as well that most of us as ordinary citizens have deduced that both the illegal drug trade, as well as the increase in gun on the streets, involves a level of collusion from officials at whatever level.
My sense is also, even without clear evidence, that we accept that there is a link between certain types of gun crimes and the illegal gun trade. So that while I fully appreciate the information shared by the Commissioner of Police as reported in the media, there was nothing significantly revelatory.
Where I remain at a loss is how do we address the issue and stem the tide?
I want to make it clear that when I say how do we address the issue, I am not speaking of the importation of illegal firearms. That is not the issue as far as I am concerned. It is one of the significant factors but it is not the underlying issue. I have said before that unless we address such problems holistically and in an integrated fashion we will be spinning top in mud. A legalistic and judicial approach to solving such crimes will take us so far and no more. We will mostly be back reading about the Commissioner’s press conference on the same issue next year around this same time.
The comments of the young men interviewed by NATION newspaper should suggest clearly to us that the issues are more nuanced and more complex. If we accept that, then it is clear that the solutions must also match this reality.
I do not think that we need a secret retreat to figure out what needs to be done. I think it can be found in the myriad of reports and studies which abound and are perhaps covered under mounds of dust in desks and cupboards. In that context and not wanting to be one of those people who always complain but never offer any solutions, I want to put on the table the following suggestions.
Firstly, the national task force on crime prevention, which was rebranded in February of this year as the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, should be rebranded again. The task force should be renamed the task force on citizen security and social justice in order to better reflect the multifaceted nature and impact of crime and criminal behaviour.
As part of its mandate, the task force should indeed coordinate research and help to develop comprehensive strategies by bringing together a broad team of sociologists, Researchers, police, welfare officials, donor agencies, and such like. What we need is coordination and action. Research and planning is part of this but it cannot be the total remit.
Secondly, we need a comprehensive welfare and anti-poverty strategy which systematically weakens the dependence of certain communities and vulnerable households on drug lords. One of the main reasons that the police do not get cooperation is that communities are supported by drug lords who supply security and financial support which the system does not.
Thirdly, we need a renewed vision for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Community Development department that is tied directly to the juvenile justice system and creating opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk youth and communities. We need to be changing life circumstances from the bottom up. If we cannot find the vision then the best thing to do is to subsume them under the new citizen security task force as its arms and legs.
Fourth, I agree with no gun amnesty. Instead, offer rewards and amnesties for information on those responsible for the importation of illegal guns.
Fifth, move ahead with the long discussed revamping of the criminal justice system to one which not only incarcerates but also provides alternative sentencing options and offers real opportunities for lifelong change.
Finally, this one is a bit tricky but I would levy a hefty fine on every parent who opens their mouth and says their child “is a good boy” in the face of clear evidence to the contrary.
Shantal Munro-Knight is a development specialist and executive coordinator at the Caribbean Policy Development Centre. Email shantalmunro@gmail.com