STRESSING he did not want to see Barbados become as turbulent as Jamaica, Government Senator Dr David Durant warned that it would be unwise to dismiss reports that Barbados had a gang problem.
Speaking on the Penal System Reform Amendment Bill in the Senate yesterday, Pastor Durant, one of this country’s newest senators, said any issue related to gangs should not be swept under the carpet.
“When I heard of the emerging gangs in Barbados, I know many tried to ignore it. I don’t think it is something we should just sweep under the carpet.
“For whatever it is worth, we need to give some attention to it. Some may argue it is being blown out of proportion . . . I will not go down that line but for whatever it is worth, I think we need to give some attention to that gang problem that is within our society.
“We don’t want it to get out of hand and become like our Caribbean neighbours, especially Jamaica. We don’t want that situation here.”
Durant told the Senate that it was important to nip any issue in the bud.
“Remember, the largest tree started from a small seed. The Bible does say ‘do not despise the days of small beginnings’. Things that begin small have the tendency to grow large and become uncontrollable.
“An adult tiger was at first a cub, then it became a serious predator with a strong killer instinct. We don’t want this kind of thing to continue to linger in our society and infiltrate the lives of our youths while we adults pretend it does not exist.”
Durant also called for provisions to be made in relation to guiding and monitoring those who had been deported after a period of incarceration overseas.
“Some deportees return here never having seen Grantley Adams International Airport in their lives, yet they are sent to Barbados because they have Barbadian origins. My question is: Is that individual met at the airport by the police or some social worker?
“Is that worker briefed about the culture of Barbados and the do’s and don’ts since they have never been here? Is that individual monitored as she or he seeks to integrate into our society?”
Durant thinks that Barbados should provide some type of support system for deportees.
“We could look at providing accommodation, somewhere to sleep, something to eat, especially if that person does not have a family member in Barbados.”
