BARBADOS HAS WITNESSED an unacceptable upsurge in gun violence so far this year. At least that would be the conclusion of many people given what seems to be an incessant number of reported gun-related crimes.
Police will have the precise facts based on their statistics. But, the reality is that every shooting incident provokes both anger and fear amongst the public. There is a feeling that everything is spiralling out of control. This is the public perception despite the gallant efforts of the police.
The ease with which illegal guns are seemingly available in Barbados is worrisome, not only to the police, but all law-abiding citizens. These weapons are eluding law enforcers and getting on to the streets to create mayhem.
What is not clear is whether this rise in gun activity is gang-related or associated with the illegal drugs trade. Both of these criminal pursuits often have well-connected networks.
The loss of life and the injuries sustained because of gun crime have an untold impact on families and, by extension, communities. Some people will forever thereafter live in fear. We should not wait until the situation has reached crisis point to take effective measures.
We do not simply mean harsher penalties for illegal gun possession since the result may be the same as that in the fight against illegal drugs. That was largely a failed initiative which only served to imprison many people, some of whom returned to society more hardened criminals.
Barbados already has tough laws on the books relating to possession and use of illegal guns and ammunition. But this has not resulted in a decrease in dangerous use of these weapons. What we have is one generation after another perpetuating the cycle – violence and incarceration.
Our focus must be on instituting all the methods to reduce and prevent the gun violence, especially since punitive measures only come after all the pain and sorrow.
The use of illegal guns has its root cause in various problems – the lack of job opportunities, poor education and an inadequate family environment. We need to put more police boots on the ground to build bonds with communities, place greater emphasis on intelligence gathering, and focus on widespread use of technology. The police cannot be simply responsive to the criminality.
Communities also have a civic duty to report wrongdoing. It might be for their own well-being. And if we can find money to punish the guilty culprits at the end of the stream, we must also find it to support the communities in greatest need before a crisis. Our youth must feel there is a chance beyond hopelessness and despair.
The only solution people want is for law enforcement authorities – and the public – to bring gun crimes under control. We must do more than simply shake our heads in disbelief.
