The divisive Jamaica Gaza/Gully culture that is taking a hold of young Vincentians is of grave concern to one of this country’s top security officials.{{more}}

Earlier this week, Bertie Pompey, Deputy Commissioner of Police, lashed out at dancehall promoters and some radio announcers here for promoting the feud on the local scene, which is responsible for splitting sections of Jamaica.

“It’s unfortunate that there are some elements in our community who are oblivious of the damage they are causing in the bid to encourage and promote the Gaza and Gully culture here in St.Vincent and the Grenadines,” lamented Pompey on Tuesday, March 30, 2010, as he addressed the OAS/Project Promotions Junior Calypso Competition award ceremony.

“They are either motivated by their recklessness, imprudence, selfishness, indifference and above all in the plight to profit,” he said frankly.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police appealed to parents to assume their parental roles and give positive influences to their offspring.

Highlighting the importance of parenting, Pompey stated: “Some of the crap that is bombarded on the television screen on a daily basis cannot substitute your parental role. Neither is the violence propagated in the lyrics of a few Jamaican dancehall songs.”

He told the contestants to always remember that Calypso like any other art form resonates throughout a wide cross section of the Vincentian society.

On the lighter side, the Deputy Commissioner told the top placed competitors, who were about to receive their prizes, he could be standing in the midst of future Grammy Award nominees in the category of Calypso.

Quoting one of Leroy “Black Stalin” Calliste’s lines, Pompey challenged the audience to leave this world a better place than they met it.

Senior Education Officer Carlton “CP” Hall in his address challenged radio announcers to play more local songs. He

also challenged young Vincentians to make requests for locally produced renditions.

Addresses were also made by Arlette Miller of the International Airport Development Company and Melene Glynn, OAS Representative to St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

First place was clinched by Stephanie Mascoll of the West St.George Secondary School who received the coveted top prize of $2,000, along with a note book computer. Second place went to Terancia Cornwall of the St.Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, who received $1,500 plus a notebook computer, while third position was claimed by Gaffiesha Smart of the Calder Government School who won herself $1,000 and a note book computer. Lee Bullock of the St.Vincent Grammar School also copped himself a note book computer, even though he placed fourth.

The Junior Calypso Competition funded by the Organization of American States (OAS) was staged by Projects Promotions Ltd in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, The Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, The International Airport Development Corporation (IADC), SVG Calypsonians’ Association, and The Carnival Development Corporation. (HN)