ON THURSDAY morning through the actions of an alert security guard, police were able to remove a loaded 9mm handgun from the person of a young man entering the Bridgetown Magistrates’ Court complex and arrest him. The law courts will determine his fate, and it is not in our place to do anything that would prejudice his case.
But we, like many Barbadians who followed news of the incident, can’t help but display some nervousness after the fact, if for no other reason than if the allegations are proven to be true what could have unfolded could have propelled us into the regional and international headlines in a manner we would hardly have welcomed.
It means that those responsible for security around our courts have now to seriously rethink the issue. The immediate intervention of Registrar of the Supreme Court Barbara Cooke-Alleyne and senior members of her staff was the right thing to do to reassure those who work or do business in the complex.
Now that the dust has settled, however, a more detailed examination of the security systems that exist has to be undertaken and urgent corrective measures taken to plug any holes. And it is clear that they are a few crying out for attention.
In the first place, it was not a security check that resulted in the discovery of the weapon and the apprehension of the youngster, but a guard enforcing a dress code. So it is quite probable that if this youngster had dressed the part he would never have caught the attention of the guard – possibly with frightening consequences.
If those with expertise in security matters can call for the introduction of metal detectors and body scanners in school, it should not take a rocket scientist to conclude that the presence of those devices around the law courts must be even more critical. And if scanners are used in the Supreme Court Complex, where the environment is far more restrictive and controlled, then determining if someone is carrying a weapon in the open courtyard of the Magistrates’ Courts compound must be even more urgent.
In this compound, persons, whether accused on bail, witnesses, family members or persons waiting to sign bail or engage in some other business in the court, huddle together under an untidy, unsuited archway or lean up next to buildings to find shade. It is the perfect place for persons seeking to do mischief to camouflage themselves.
Add to that the fact there is absolutely no security apparatus keeping watch over them – neither in person nor electronically, using close circuit television. That also must be addressed. It can’t be beyond the capacity of those who are responsible for the courts to provide controlled, observable seating for persons doing business there.
Officials responsible for the area also need to ensure there is some sensible, unobtrusive way of recording the identity of everyone who enters the complex.
We have to ensure that it is extremely difficult for the type of danger that presented itself at the Bridgetown Magistrates’ Court compound on Thursday morning to return any time in the future.
