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Richard Frederick started the Peace and Love campaign in order to stop gang violence in trouble spots.
The recent shooting death of a man from Marchand Boulevard, Castries has caused many to question the effectiveness of Housing minister Richard Frederick’s Peace and Love initiative aimed at alleviating crime in Castries central. Some residents from Castries are of the view that the benefits of the anti violence campaign, that includes the peace and love foot ball tournament, has began to fade and needs to be brought back into focus.
In a radio interview on Radio Caribbean International Friday afternoon, Frederick, who has been working with troubled youth in Castries Central, condemned Thursday’s gang style shooting and said though his anti-crime, peace maintaining attempts had reaped visible results, the responsibility for the total dissipation of crime had to be borne by all.
Frederick expressed that it was discouraging to hear some of the comments made apportioning blame for the violent act on him.
“Persons must understand that each and every one of us has our role to play and no one man can shoulder the responsibility of ensuring there is a total dissipation of crime. Let us not leave the responsibility to one person.
Frederick went on: “[There is the perception that] the minister sleeping at his house at four o’clock in the morning is supposed to control the minds of those persons who believe they should indulge in that kind of behavior. That is very unfortunate.”
The minister said it was disturbing to witness the chilling scene that held evidence of a gun battle and added that the latest shooting only made clear the need to intensify efforts at curbing violence in Castries central and including more youth in the stop the violence program.
“There is a saying that an idol mind is the devil’s workshop and I believe if person were occupied in doing things that are beneficial to themselves and to society, there’d be very little time to contemplate the perpetuation of such activity.”
“I believe everybody needs to come together and to institutionalize mechanisms that are beneficial and embrace the young persons who are likely to involve in these kinds of situations.
In the past Frederick expressed that the initiative would move towards getting young people to surrender their weapons to him. Frederick ended Friday’s interview strongly cautioned individuals who engaged in violent behavior to stop immediately.
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As a Lucian living in Zürich - Switzerland reading the star online every day.
I do not think we should blame the Minister for the crime taking place in central Castries because he is doing things to calm it down. On the other hand I do not think a football match alone can stop the crime as well.
I suggest the Government lunch awareness work shops and programmes for the youths and other interested persons in - respect and acceptance for each other, communication, social partnership, as well as conflict management and mediation skills.
SMH…I have nothing but fond memories of growing up in St Lucia when everyone looked out for each and crime was unheard of. Nowadays things are quite different and folks are now resorting to violence to make a point. The Government only, cannot fix the problems of the country, so St Lucians please stand up and raise your voices in unison and show the crooks and gangbangers who currently have your country under siege that you’re angry as hell and you’re not gonna take it no more!!!!!!!
“Just Say No”
Perhaps we should sloganize the problem. You remember “Less Be the Bess”. You remember how successful that was in engendering pride in us in our beautiful St. Lucia.
See how Nancy Reagan eleminated the drug scourge in America with that slogan above.
What I’m trying to say is we cannot wish or sloganize such problems away. It was first a carbuncle on Helen’s breast no one tried to drain the abcess then, now it’s become full blown breast cancer, metastasized and ready to take it’s full toll on the country.
We are fighting it with non existing or poorly thought out policy iniatives, the blandishments of politicians, and football and blockos. When parents begin to parent and adults begin to act responsibly and all of us do whatever little we can to live peaceably with each other, and learn how to curb our penchant for violently dealing with our problems with one and other then we will see change.
Till then??
I agree with Frederick. As long as crime continues to escalate , everyone from the prime minister to community leaders, ministers and parents will receive failing grades.
We have to start on a local and grassroots level, organizing our church - leaders, organizing our businessmen and organizing the entire citizenry to do something for ourselves to combat and help solve this crime problem.
JS
i think crim and violence is a problem which has to be tackled from the home first. i am saying boldly that this is the root of the problem. we as a people need to start like the old days, we need to start minding our neighbours business because this is the reason why the children get to be the way they are. two children 17 years old are gun down now lets look at possible reasons; father not in the home, need to make fast money, choose the streets, the list may continue. on the flip side, if we turn to a community style of leaving don’t get me wrong, the may still be crime but if someone in the community is able to help you they will. the way we leave presently i am sure that people are awear of other families in the communities problem but they refuse to lend a helping hand because its come to a stage that every man for himself and god for all. so what do we turn to, the words from raper fifty cent “get rich or die trying” and as is evident they are literally dieing while trying. WE CAN ONLY GET BETTER IF WE WORK ON BUILDING FAMILIES, NOT JUST MAKING A PLACE TO STAY.
It is not so long ago when the tongues were wagging ad nauseam about the virtues of Richard Frederick’s approach to solving gang crime in this country. Our gullible people were leap frogging over each other to offer praises to the Minister for bringing violent crime under control. Mr Frederick did nothing at the time to caution the people for their premature judgments on what was then an appreciable lull in violent crime. Frederick himself was smugly basking in the glory.
We are indeed a very foolish people. Where in the world has crime ever been solved by such superficial approach? By the likes of football matches and blockos? We need to tackle the crime by dealing effectively with the underlying causes which are mostly social problems of unemployment, ignorance, poverty, inequity, dysfunctional family backgrounds and the failure of our institutions. Football matches and blockos, by the most fantastic stretch of the imagination in no way address these issues. They may have allowed the minister, on the strength of his personality, his acquaintance with some of the individuals involved and the euphoric feeling of expectation coming out of his then recent election victory, to purchase some breathing space. It was by its very nature bound to be short-lived. Frederick’s efforts at crime solving were shallow and superficial and engendered a false sense of hope to a gullible people which would all too soon give way to bitter disappointment. The problem of violent crime has been festering for decades now. I am yet to see any serious effort at tackling with the problem.
As long as the Justice System is for the sale in slu I declare crime and violence. Back in the days of Gaboo, this guy was an outright criminal but because he could purchase the system at any cost, he never spent a day in Jail for any of the crimes he commited. Today it is no different, teenagers and other uneducated inviduals find themselves in situations where the only way of life is to sell drugs. As a result of such activity, gangs and other groups emerge and cause what we describe as gang crimes.
There are lots the government can do but they seem to have politicise the same violence which is affecting the innocent citizens today. Conway was one of the most infested areas in slu with drugs and crimes. One of the brilliant things the government did was to help relocate the people from this area. Today Conway is considered the most beautiful part of the Castries Basin.
Why won’t the same idea put to action with Grass street and Grave Yard residences? Richard Federick would never support such an idea. Out of everybody else, he might not have the ghetto dudes to vote him come election. He would rather put the entire Castries area at risk with all the crimes and Violence than to loose a vote come election time. These folks can be sent to so many areas in slu and I am sure there will be a decrease in the various crimes and violences in Castries.
Ofcourse some might carry their way of life but this might be short lived because their buddies would not be around to support them. Someone with an Iron fist need to take control of that situation. I do not think it has reach the escalation point. This whole situation is still at development stage and if you think it is bad, wait until they take it to the next level. Drive-By shootings, broad day light attacks, burning and looting are just to name a few which will be done at the next level. Government has to do something about the situation and this has to be done now. It should be Priority at this stage.
I find it difficult in understanding the above contribution made by the individual. How ungrateful this individual is to make such a statement. I also wonder whether or not this individual lived in the area or understood the problem at the time. I have read several articles on the recent killings and none has given information as to the reason for this surge in violence.
I ask this question to you, Who is Richard Fredrick to Stop John Brown from pulling his gun and shooting Mr. Jack Rear. This problem is bigger than any Minister and all efforts made by any Representative to curb the problem should be praised. Cause if we all would take action to save one life on the island then St. Lucia would be a better place. Everybody has that social responsibility albeit to discourage our peers from going astray.
We all have to contribute to it and not wait on the politicians to do something about the crime. Why are you try to insinuate that the Minister was only trying to look good by united the members of the various communities. Do you know how many lives were changed because of this initiative? Please make an educated contribution to this blog and stop this emotional out break and think of ways we all could contribute to containing the current violence. The fact is Crime will always happen and we now have to look at different ways of tacking the problem at the same time and not give up or react like you have when men lose their tempers and become irresponsible. Do some more research about the use of sports in deterring crime in Sri Lanka and Africa ect. The fact that nothing will put an end to violent apart from some divine intervention and you posing that question this calculated question leaves me to believe that you know better. But unlike you I will make two suggestions in the interest of national security.
1) Immediate curfew in these areas
2) Constant police presents and raids in these areas
stluciastar.com is very informative. The article is very professionally written. I enjoy reading stluciastar.com every day.