Distraught Residents Cry-Violent Crimes

Details

Rawlston Pompey

Monday, 01 October 2012 02:30

By Rawlston Pompey

When Gender Affairs Minister Dr. Jacqui Quinn-Leandro public-spiritedly launched a “…Sexual Violence Crime Awareness” ‘TAKING BACK THE NIGHT,’ citizens of all walks of life, enthusiastically applauded the initiative.

Among the female population, expectations ran high. Criminals, however, may have perceived it as a “…symbolic feminine gesture.” Notwithstanding such perception, it was evident that she would do all within her power to bring victims and potential victims a sense of hope.

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
Thus, such was primarily intended to bring “…public officials of whatever affiliation and/or persuasion and Law enforcement that the frequency of “…Sexual Violence” being brutally perpetrated against defenceless and vulnerable women and girls, was “…frighteningly intolerable.” Then prompted by the “…gruesome” slaying of a 10 year-old female student, and bringing some measure of solace to the bereaved family, while assuring the citizenry that the time had come for a “…COLLABORATIVE APPROACH” to stamping out a “…Crimes” that appeared to be out of control. Confirming such commitment, she had participated in an officially-sanctioned/organized “…memorial candle light vigil.” Such gesture was seen as bringing “…public awareness” of the seriousness of the situation and suggestive of an official commitment that Executive attention would be a priority.

Man Allegedly Tried to Set Woman On Fire Antigua St. John's - The police are investigating allegations that a Bendals man attempted to set his ex-girlfriend on fire at around midnight on Thu... read more

SUSPECT WALKED FREE
However, when a “…murder accused,” hastily arrested seemingly in appeasement of angry citizens; …held in detention for almost a year; …then subsequently walked free, due to lack of substantiating evidence, the Gender Affairs Minister became even more frantic. Seemingly pointing an accusing finger in the wrong direction, out of disappointment and enragement, she exclaimed “…Somebody dropped the ball.” In her anxieties and apparent influenced by “…functionality misguidance” of the relevant “…investigative and prosecutorial agencies,” she had vowed “…We will deal with you.” She may have unwittingly pointed “…an accusing finger” at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the apparent failure of the system.

ROLE/FUNCTIONS
Clearly, she may have imprudently misinterpreted the “…role and/or functions” of the DPP’S office, which primarily was “…Public Prosecutions.” The Law enforcement agency’s responsibilities involved inter alia, “…Protecting and Serving the citizens; …ensuring a safe, peaceful and stable environment; …curtailing Crime and Violence; …investigating crimes; …apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators.” That has always been the role and functions of Law enforcement. The pitfalls of “…Pre-conceived Ideas” had often been “…misinterpretation” and one that breathes chaos and confusion. Investigation and martialling evidence for criminal prosecutions, at material times, were functions of Law enforcement.

BUSINESS AS USUAL
However, the flames that were quickly lit, fuelled by overwhelming public support, seemingly went out as rapidly as the sun would disappear under grey skies. For the hapless victims of this horrible crime, their world had turned “…frighteningly grey.” With all noble intentions, the Gender Affairs Minister appeared not to have kept the candles burning continuously that her “…good works” may have been seen in the eyes of victims as exerting pressure upon those whose duties included arresting the then untenable situation. Seemingly, the national agency had lost direction, zeal and determination in promoting its “…Gender-based programmes and/or activities.” Consequently, a clear message may not have been forcefully communicated to the national Law enforcement agency, that it could not be “…BUSINESS AS USUAL.”

SANCTITY OF LIFE
Consequent upon recent criminal behavior, there had clearly been no respect for the “…SANCTITY OF LIFE” by perpetrators of violent crimes. Thus, when citizens were forced into reflecting on “…Crimes of Violence,” invariably many were “…painfully reminded” of the gruesome and bizarre killings of “…Patricia Farrell; …Avenel Tittle and …Monique Ramsay-strangled to death; … Sylvia Toussaint and“…Jemuel Samuel, 10 year-old student-hacked to death. The former was buried partially alive in a shallow beach-side grave. More recently, the nation was driven into revulsion by the senseless killing of youthful Service Station attendant Dorothy Prince. She was fatally shot by robbers.

DARKEST HOUR
More recently, the nation was jolted into “…shock and awe” over the frequency of, and deadly use of gun    on members of the society. Like the formidable and well protected, the vulnerable and defenceless citizens were all left incurably terrified. Evidence of this came from residents of the JOHN HUGHES community. They have had their fair share of “…House breaking and Larceny.”The properties reportedly stolen from many victims, had not only been a costly replacement affair, but also traumatic. However, their “…DARKEST HOUR” came when news circulated among the residents of the “…senseless killing” of a single parent, 19 year-old ‘MELISSA ROSE,’ partially orphaned an infant in arm. That incident was just another dismal reminder of the “…violent nature of the society” and the will at which criminals inflicted violence upon defenceless victims.

DESPAIRING VOICES
Apart from this horrific incident, at the recently held Village meeting, attended by the upper echelon of Law enforcement and Member of Parliament, ELLISTON ADAMS, they had heard the “…chilling experiences through the “…DESPAIRING VOICES” of residents of “…JOHN HUGHES community. They had expressed dissatisfaction over several critical issues fundamental to their well-being, including “…Crime and Security and the quality of service from Law enforcement.” Experience has taught that fundamental issues as these necessarily demand the presence of those so elected to represent the collective interest of people. Thus, they had spoken to“…Parliamentary Representation and their discontent. Law enforcement was not concerned about such representation. Theirs were about their safety and protection for residents.



BAPTISM OF FIRE
It was apparent that the cries of anguish through resident DARYLL SPENCER may have been heard far away. He had spoken with a passion of the plight of residents. Even those peacefully resting at the “…National Heroes Park” may have heard, with some degree of disquiet, the woes of chronic neglect and the sustained “…terror and violence” inflicted by criminals upon that fruitful community. Critics surmising reasons for the absence of their Parliamentary Representative, Honourable CHESTER HUGHES, had concluded that it was either due to “…calculation or unavoidable circumstances.” Whatever may or may not have been the reason/s, he had escaped a “…BAPTISM OF FIRE.”

THE IRONY
Ironically, few public officials were ever present at town hall meetings to experience for themselves the pains, fears and distressing experiences, resulted from criminal attacks. Few had been publicly heard expressing abhorrence or denouncing the grievous and deadly acts of violence perpetrated on the hapless citizens. Such noticeable absence or observance, suggested that most public officials had either been “…too busy” or may have failed to appreciate the feelings of victims, the violence inflicted and the terror brought to bear on their communities. Most had not participated in activities organized by protesting residents and/or groups registering their disgust over the violent behavior of the heartless criminals.

CONTRASTING REACTIONS
Contrastingly, further away in the neighboring island of Jamaica, that nation’s female Prime Minister, PORTIA SIMPSON-MILLER, outraged by the kidnapping and “…sexual violence” inflicted upon an innocent defenceless” 8 year-old little girl, along with four women, had made her feelings known. Even from an official visit to the United Nations, with utter dismay and outrage, she had unreservedly described the criminal act as one of sheer “…SAVAGERY.” The savage nature of the criminal act was as such as to cause her institutionalization in a medical facility. Like the many other victims who had been fatally wounded, for MELISSA ROSE, it was the untimely death and final journey to a lonely grave. She had perished at the brutal hands of an unknown gunman.

VISIBILITY/ACCESSIBILITY
The presence of MP Elliston Adams may have been viewed with circumspection. Nonetheless, he may have led the way in forcing attitudinal change among his colleagues. He may have been “…advocating greater visibility of, and/or unfettered accessibility” to public officials, other than the five-yearly unscheduled community visits, visible through communities, only when a particular national event was imminent. The residents had complained, seemingly with some “…justifiable bitterness” that after that important event, most appeared to have hibernated far from the communities; …became oblivious to their needs and daily plight; …leaving many to wallow in their miseries and hopelessness. Thus, for many residents, it was much easier in accessing national radio stations in expressing their frustrations and/or disappointments, than meeting with those elected to represent and serve their collective and/or community interests.

PROTECTION OF LAW
It was obvious that some members of the community appeared resigned in dispensing their own form of justice over rising criminal activities in that community. However, it was a dispensation Commissioner of Police VERE BROWNE, host of the meeting on “…Crime Prevention Strategies/Partnership,” prudently discouraged. Their cries were incessant; …their pains were felt across the nation; while their emotions were filled with rage. They had cried not only for justice to be dispensed upon those who had caused them distress, grief and sorrow, but also for the “…PROTECTION OF LAW” for those who had been victimized by other acts of criminality. The residents’ only desire was “…Taking back their community.” Thus, to them, it mattered not what methodologies were considered. Tangentially, they had reportedly used the forum in highlighting “…undelivered or broken promises and Parliamentary and infrastructural neglect.” They apparently came to the realization that “…All that glitter were not gold.”

HARROWING EXPERIENCES
Then there were also harrowing experiences of other females. The aggravated robbery attack on Senate President Hazelyn Francis and former Senate President Millicent Percival, speak to their “…HARROWING EXPERIENCES.”. Adding to the list, was a “…vicious knife attack” on Attorney-at-law Monique Francis-Gordon. All had been victims of violent criminal acts. Given the serious nature of the attacks and the trauma being constantly experienced, many responsible and law abiding citizens shared the view that the preventive measures being effected in reducing the activities of “…COOPER THIEVES,” might very well forced surviving victims of crimes and/or grieving families in continuing to feel that in its seemingly insensitive approach or lack of consideration of their “…ordeal and/or vulnerabilities,” the “…SYSTEM” had failed miserably in protecting them. This might also have been compounded by the apparent agonizingly slow pace of investigation and/or bringing some perpetrators to justice.



DIVINE INTERVENTION
The recent killings of innocent victims within this nation had made the populace convulsed. Family and friends had been stricken by fear and gripped by grief, while loved ones had been engulfed in deep sorrow and drowned in tears. The situation was frightening, prompting leaders of every religious denomination into seeking “…DIVINE INTERVENTION.” Most had offered national prayers that the nation may be free of violence, while others sought to have the Devil removed not only from his Bridge, but also completely from the society. In the meanwhile, residents, nationals and “…Anti-Violence Campaigners” had reacted frantically and angrily over MELISSA’S tragic death. She was fatally shot at her residence. It was little wonder that Prime Minister DR. WINSTON BALDWIN SPENCER, sought to raise at the General Assembly of the United Nations, the vexed issues of “…Crime and Violence and Proliferation of Small Arms.” These were now affecting the nation. He was pleading a case for tighter “…Gun Control” within national borders of those producing the deadly weaponry.

TAKING BACK- NIGHT/DAY
The “…MELISSA ROSE” incident had propelled some groups into “…spasmodic reactionary mode,” organizing public marches and “…candle light vigils,” likened to that previously initiated by Gender Affairs Minister Dr. JACQUI QUINN-LEANDRO. The frequency of sexual violence against women and girls may have convinced her that Law enforcement and the society had completely lost the fight against the Criminals. Thus, she had attempted to “…TAKE BACK THE NIGHT.” Today, the rampancy of serious violent acts” now plaguing the nation, suggested that the criminals had never lost grip of the “…NIGHT” as “…Women of Esteem (WOE) had suggested in its theme “…SHINE THE LIGHT TAKE BACK THE NIGHT.” Thus, the criminals appeared to have been emboldened in their exploits as to have taken, not only the “…NIGHT” from the Gender Affairs Minister, but also the entire “…morning, noon, night and DAY,” from an unarmed defenceless citizenry, “…promise-makers” and more disturbingly, its foremost bastion-Law enforcement.

BIRTH OF WOE
Then seemingly out of fear, frustration and hopelessness, “…WOE” was born. Its first impact appeared not to have, in actuality, brought “…woe unto the citizens” as the acronym suggests. Instead, it brought “…Public Awareness,” if only of their physical presence on the streets of St. John’s. They had entertained scores of onlookers as they engaged in spontaneous “…Street Dancing.” The media had headlined them as “…FLASH MOB.” Like “…WAR,” the all female group “…WOE” had described itself as “…Women of Esteem.” However, if nothing else the group may have convinced radio personality “…SLY THE ROCKING J,” that they too possessed the art of bodily gyrations.

PROACTIVE
Hence, it matters not if they were not perceived as declaring “…WAR” on, or bringing “…WOE” to perpetrators, they have been sending a message to Law enforcement to be more “…PROACTIVE” in their fight against violent crimes. Both groups primary objectives were, inter alia, bringing “…awareness” to the public and officials of the spate of violent crimes spreading through the communities. They had advocated decisive prosecutorial and penal actions against perpetrators with the hope of bringing an end to violence against women and girls.

CRIME
When citizens speak to crime, mildly speaking, they are in fact referring to the perpetration of an unlawful “…Act or Omission.” This may be committed against a person and/or property, “…with or without violence.” With the latter, it is considered “…aggravated” as in the recent incidents of shooting of a Taxi Driver and stabbing of a St. John’s businessman. When they speak to “…Murder,” one is speaking to the tragic loss of life. Reference to this “…murderous act,” speaks to the heinous crime committed with frightening “…violence” to the several law abiding citizens, residents and visitors alike.

VIOLENCE
This may be briefly defined as the “…Actual use of force with or without weapon.” The degree of force used, usually determined its serious nature and classification. It also includes “…putting or seeking to put a person in fear of being then and there subjected to “…FORCE.” Examples of this may be seen in the cases of “…murder, rape, robbery, assault inter alia.” In such instances, a person may use “…reasonable force” or that considered necessary in the circumstance in repelling “…apprehended fear and/or imminent attack.” Thus, violence against the person invariably resulted in “…minor or grievous wounding or death.” Section 4 (2) (a) of the Constitution Order 1981, provides for “…reasonable use of force” for the protection of individuals, property and/ or others.

VIOLENT ACT OR OMISSION
Violence against property on the other hand, may be seen as arson (setting fire to house/building), unlawful and malicious damage or spoil. FORCE used on the person that resulted in death, under circumstances that might be seen as extenuating, it might be deemed “…justifiable homicide” in the event   of a Coroner’s Inquisition or Jury Trial. In the case of murder, it speaks to “…An act or omission.” An ‘ACT’ might be violent as; “…shooting or stabbing; …blow to the head; …choking or poisoning.” The tragic killing of “…MELLISA ROSE,” speak to such violent act. Legally, to constitute a crime, it requires a particular “…state of mind.” Conversely, an ‘OMISSION’ might just be “…deliberate or gross negligence-foreseeing danger, yet failed to remove such danger.” Such Omission brings about the same result-DEATH.

LIME Brings Christmas Blessings to Unsung Heroes Antigua St. John's - LIME, Antigua and Barbuda’s best-value network, delivered on the promise it made to honour 10 unsung heroes when it launched it... read more

ANTI-VIOLENCE GROUPS
Apart from the Gender Affairs Department, there were other “…Anti-Violence Groups” waging a weaponless “…WAR” against the sophisticated and elusive criminals. Then another group seemingly sprung up overnight that its membership seemed to have brought “…WOE” unto themselves. Thus, given their respective names, should there be rivalry, it might be a declaration of “…WAR and …WOE” unto those who might be caught in the cross-fire.

ORGANIZATIONAL CANNIBALISM
Critics, however, had posited that the two groups might be more effective in pooling their “…collective wisdom, ideas, energies and resources” in the fight against violent crimes, particularly those affecting the nation’s women. It was well known that fragmented approaches, harbors disunity, particularly that which impinges either on the “…socio-economic or “…POLITICAL FACTORS,” as evidenced among other groupings. These had always influenced a pattern of “…negative, contentious or divisive behaviors.” In the wider community, these had influenced those with the propensity to commit “…Crime and Violence,” while in groupings, they had caused members to behave in “…feudal ways” that may be described as “…ORGANIZATIONAL CANNIBALISM.”

ECONOMIC/POLITICAL ENVIRONMENTS
Thus, in human history, there had never been a dull moment. Hence, whether people were in communities or other groupings or in the wider society, there had been some unexpected human responses, as they interacted within the “…economic and political environments.” These behaviors appeared correlated and therefore, may be due to two critical factors- “…ECONOMIC and POLITICAL.” These had become daily troubling issues for all nations, societies, communities, groups and individuals.

WESTERN COWBOY/MAUROON COWGIRL
Thus, they had become some of the critical issues that had either placed individuals on the wrong side of the law, and“…leaders on one side” and “…members on the other.” For instance, a “…WESTERN COWBOY” continued his “…uncut attacks,” seemingly intended at destroying a “…MAUROON COWGIRL.” Countering with “…fire on a piece of steel,” the flames were quickly extinguished with “…maul and wind.”  Invariably, situations like these had provoked antagonism and unruly behavior among members. Conversely, when economic conditions deteriorated, the latter had influenced “…survival strategies” that had often resulted in the perpetration of violent criminal acts.

DECLARING WAR-BRINGING WOE
The acronyms for the groups “…WAR and WOE” were likely to have suggested that which may have bedevilled mankind thousands of years ago and continued throughout modern history. These had produced chaos and confusion in all human interactions. However, to the extent that “…WAR and WOE” may have instigated ousted Opposition Leader, Kittian-born LINDSAY GRANT in pushing Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, Honourable LESTER. BIRD into taking a more “…defiant leadership stance,” the “…Missions, goals and objectives” of “…WAR and WOE” were far from, and more noble than that which the GRANT or the acronymic names may have suggested.

NOBLE INTENTIONS
There was no question of the respective group’s “…NOBLE INTENTIONS.” Despite operating under a different organizational name, seemingly they were prepared to exert pressure on Law enforcement, public officials into addressing the scourge of crime and violence. They had seen the citizenry as stakeholders and potential victims, and had sought in bringing an end to violence against both “…genders.”  The former “…WAR” was the acronym for “…Women against Rape,” a group that had apparently done more than the designated official agencies in bringing “…PUBLIC AWARENESS” to the growing incidence of “…RAPE.” The latter acronym “…WOE,” fittingly described itself as “…Women of Esteem,” had taken on the difficult and unenviable task in addressing that which had been plaguing women and girls. The criminals had been terrorizing and traumatizing “…vulnerable victims” and by extension, haunting other fear-stricken citizens through their seemingly unstoppable criminal exploits.

WAR AND WOE
The group’s collective missions appeared unmistakably clear and purposeful. Both opposed “…Crime and Violence” in every shape or form. Thus, in collaboration, both were prepared to bring awareness to all a sundry that in earnest, they shall ensure that only a high standard of civil behavior was acceptable and that violence against women and girls was eliminated. However, they anticipated that real “…WAR” may be declared on the criminals by Law enforcement, thereby bringing “…WOE” through the judicial processes, to those who had perpetrated crimes against the innocent, unsuspecting law abiding citizens.



SOCIAL NEGLECT/INDIGENCE
Given existing untenable social and adverse economic conditions, worsened by unemployment, crime and violence, it was about the “…Haves against the “…Have not.” The latter’s needs were endless. While the former’s difficulties had resulted partly from criminal victimization, the latter was the result of indigence. Consequently, victims had been forced to suffer the consequences of “…societal neglect and/or chronic indigence.”  Thus, driven by desperation, frustration, anguish and despair, many indigent peoples across the globe had been forced to engage in the inevitable- “…commission of crime.” These violent criminal acts had invariably left victims “…traumatized; …some grievously wounded,” while others had turned “…deadly.”

• < Prev
• Next >