The body of John Garvey Alcindor was laid to rest at the Soufriere Catholic cemetery last Wednesday but the hearts and minds of the Soufriere people are yet to find peace. The 29-year-old was the third life taken by police officers last year when he was shot in the neck by a member of the force. The shooting allegedly occurred after Alcindor let loose some firecrackers (match-bombs) during an entertainment activity outside the Rainforest Disco at Ravine Clear on Christmas Day. He reportedly ran from police who caught up with him and after a tussle with one officer he was shot.

According to a very close friend of the deceased, Sharel Mondesir, they are still awaiting word from the police. “After three weeks we have heard nothing,” she said, sounding angry. She added that the entire town of Soufriere is grieving. “The place is quiet, everyone is sad and the family members are really disappointed with the police,” Mondesir said. “We are asking for justice!”

She stated that the latest shooting incident has worsened the relationship between the police and community. “The trust is totally gone, people have no respect for them anymore,” Mondesir said. In September last year, the Soufriere police was involved in another shooting incident which claimed the life of 44-year-old Timothy St Luce of Bouton.

Mondesir said that incident still haunts the people of the town, which is among the most picturesque in St Lucia, the home of St Lucia’s pride possessions—the Pitons.  “Everybody is still talking about the mess the police made and we are still very angry, “ Mondesir said. Talking about her childhood friend she indicated that Alcindor had a big heart.

“All the kids in the neighborhood loved him, his mother in the States would send things for him and he would give them to the kids. . . he was also very jovial,” she recalls. Aunt of the deceased, Mary Magdalene Alcindor, whom I spoke to over the phone, sounded very depressed. She revealed that the family is contemplating legal action against the police officer.

According to her, that very officer was involved in a similar incident a week before, which is before the courts. Speaking of her nephew’s funeral Alcindor said a large number of people turned out. She also informed me that they have been expecting Security Minister Guy Mayers who had stated on radio that he would be visiting the community but he “never showed up.” Alcindor said the officer has not been seen in
the community since the incident.

Meanwhile the family and friends of the deceased are planning protest action if no word comes from the police soon. Acting Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime and Intelligence, Vernon Francois had indicated that the police had been given directions from the DPP to pursue the matter.

By Christine St Marie