CROP OVER is set to officially start on Saturday. Already the fever is rising and Barbados is expecting an influx of visitors for the various activities that will make up the Sweetest Summer Festival.
As the excitement builds, we all need to recognise the importance of the festival and what it means to this country. It is not just a time to party but to showcase all Barbados has to offer by way of its culture.
There will no doubt be international journalists who will record and beam the festivities to the world. We would therefore all want to make sure we are on our best behaviour.
Hence, the recent spate of crimes should cause many of us to pause and reflect on all that we need to do as a country to curb the violence we have been witnessing.
The shootings have resulted in a level of discomfort for many, particularly those who live too close for comfort to the disquiet. Residents are concerned, as they should be, about their welfare and safety. They are also worried about the tarnished reputations of their districts which have taken a hit.
The heavy concentration of private fetes and national events staged by the National Cultural Foundation demands an equal heavy concentration of police on patrol from morning ’til night, maintaining law and order. It is important that violence is kept to the minimum, especially around this time as there will be thousands out and about attending late-night and early morning parties.
Already, the police have launched an investigation into a social media post hinting of a bloody disruption to one of the major events of Crop Over, Foreday Morning. This message cannot be taken lightly and fortunately, our police officers are taking action.
Gone are the days when we would turn a blind eye to such threats. Each has to be taken with a level of seriousness, especially given the current environment and the bold-faced acts that have been occurring. The Police Force says it has taken this “conversation” seriously and has promised to take all appropriate measures to ensure a crime-free season.
We all need to be mindful of what incidents like this could mean not only for the festival, but also the country. It is therefore incumbent on us all to make sure we play our part in ensuring a crime-free Crop Over.
The festival is one to be enjoyed not only by revellers, but those who prefer to stay on the sidelines. Leave out the crime and let us all enjoy our Crop Over – the Sweetest Summer Festival.