Are we really in deep trouble?

Just two months ago, on October 8, the editorial in the midweek issue of this newspaper, reacting to yet another fatal gunning down of a citizen, had this to say in part:

“We have allowed ourselves to slide down a deadly slippery slope, ignoring the warning signs flashing brilliantly. As a result, whether we accept it or not, our society is in trouble -DEEP TROUBLE”.

Now we have had an even more dreadful occurrence, another mass shooting right in the heart of our capital city. This time four persons were gunned down, three of them fatally. But this was again in Paul’s Lot, in the very location where similar murders were carried out, with no arrests so far. Regrettably, press reports seemed to focus on whether the victims were “Known to the police”, or were drug users (slapping cocaine and marijuana in the same bundle), or criminals. Whether factual or not, the salient issue is that the perpetrators of these murders, not the victims, irrespective of their character, should be the subject of major concern.

We have no doubt that the vast majority of our people, just as we at SEARCHLIGHT, are fully in support of the police in their efforts to combat crime, and particularly, to put an end to this deadly bloodletting. A society simply cannot, MUST NOT, put up with this blatant defiance of law and order, of the right to life.

The situation also must not become a political football, with each side trying to kick the ball in the other’s territory. It demands a collective will to say, “NO more”. The government must take the lead, offering to incorporate the political Opposition in a common fight. It is inexplicable that the government should be leaving the Police alone to respond. We have a very articulate and resourceful Prime Minister who is Minister of National Security. He seems to speak on every topic under the sun, so why not some direction in this predicament? Whatever the motives for these killings, they are a very bad example, and impact on the image of an ambitious,developing society. What is more, when the killers continue to be free of apprehension, how should ordinary citizens react? What if, in the middle of the Christmas season, there is a mass shooting in town?

The more the killers go scot-free, the greater the fear among ordinary citizens to provide information, if they possess any. Decisive leadership is needed. There is no ready-made answer, but we must resolutely and collectively seek one. Peace-loving Vincentians must band together to seek ways and means to protect our safety, our freedom, our dignity. There is no other way.