#BTEditorial – Senseless deaths on the streets while we wait on you top cop

On September 1st we published an Editorial quoting the Commissioner of Police at the height of a spike in criminal activity.

At the time, Commissioner of the Barbados Police Service (COP) Richard Boyce told Barbadians that they had identified the root of the gun menace plaguing our small island.

He said: “We know that there are some groups, two to three groups, which are creating most of the problems for us. We know who they are and we are working tirelessly, assiduously in dealing with those groups. Once we get to the bottom of it, once we are able to dismantle those groups, I think that we will be able to go into public spaces without that fear.”

But this is where the Commissioner’s comments raised more than a few eyebrows and triggered robust debate.

“We know who they are but it is a time-consuming thing so we ask the public to have a level of patience and give us their confidence and we can also reassure them that we can make the necessary inroads to bring those persons to justice.”

We complimented the COP but reminded him that Bajans had been more than patient as hoodlums continually terrorise them. It is now a month later and the Commissioner should know that the country’s patience is growing thin.  Law-abiding citizens are genuinely afraid and demand a safer Barbados.

On September 2nd, the Commissioner said investigations by police had uncovered a disturbing trend as they recovered more and more illegal firearms.

“In addition to the overseas activity, what has been discovered is that family members of persons who reside in the island are getting onboard now and facilitating the movement of firearms from one jurisdiction to our jurisdiction and that is [of] some concern to us.

“That is something that must be called out, something that must be highlighted and action taken against, because once we identify those persons then our partners will work with us and we will bring that situation under control,” Boyce said during the press conference.

In the weeks to follow, there was a brief lull in the senseless shootings, but alas not for long.

Police issued a statement on Sunday reporting that a man in his 40s was injured in a shooting at the Ivy Housing area, St Michael.

The report stated: “Around 4:45 p.m., police received a report of a shooting and after carrying out preliminary investigations, learnt that a man in his early 40s was injured in his left arm. He was transported in a private vehicle to a medical facility for treatment.”

On Monday,  a news report said that Ivy residents speaking about the incident, pleaded with the Police to make their presence felt more often. They lamented the fact that there were innocent children, the elderly and others in the community who could get caught in the crossfire. They warned that while the police may catch perpetrators after the fact much more needs to be done to prevent gun crime.

The next day Sunday, October 16, the cops destroyed 168 firearms.

Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Crime Prevention Officer Inspector Stephen Griffith said some of the firearms were recovered from court cases and others were brought in by family members of deceased firearms holders.

He assured Barbadians that law enforcers would continue efforts to rid the streets of illegal firearms.

“The Barbados Police Service will continue its drive to rid the country from as many guns as we can. And as you see here today once these guns come into our possession the process of the destruction of these guns will continue,” he said.

The next day, Monday, October 17, three people were injured in a shooting incident in Nelson Street, The City.

Police reported that around 8:40 p.m. men on a motorcycle opened fire in the area. We later learnt that one of the victims had died.

The victim was identified as 26-year-old Rashawn Alexander.

Sadly again tonight [Tuesday] there was another shooting in the Ivy, Housing Area, St. Michael.

.Reports indicate that a man was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital.

When will it abate? When will it end? When will our people feel safe to walk the streets in their beloved communities? Patience is not an option, Mr Boyce. Our country needs to be a safe place again.

We have passed the point of waiting. We need firm action. We, the public, need to know these ‘groups’ you have identified. We need these groups dismantled. We need to see their members facing the law courts and answering for these heinous crimes.

We need the streets of Barbados safe again for our citizenry and visitors alike. We need you and your team to ensure that these criminals do not continue to drive fear in the hearts of law abiding Bajans. Mr Commissioner, we simply cannot wait any longer.