“Violence is not the answer!” MP Shawn Edward calls for an end to lawlessness in Dennery

Dennery North Mp Shawn Edward has called on all residents to play their part in stemming the recent wave of violence in the district. Over the past few days there have been many incidents in the community, including the brutal attack on a man by two brick-wielding men, a fatal shooting of a man and a chopping of another. “I have taken a moment to reflect on events in the Dennery basin in the past week. I find the recent spate of violence in recent days, to be highly disturbing and totally out of character with the favorable reputation that the district as a whole has enjoyed nationally,” said Edward, in a video posted to his Facebook page today, May 16.

He noted that the contributions of persons from Dennery to national development are well documented across various areas inter alia, sports, fishing, farming, creative industries, human resource development and leadership. “We have always been known to be a proud and productive people and certainly this positive image has come under threat owing to the indiscretions and poor judgement of a few who are opting to take matters into their own hands,” he said.

Edward indicated that where as the recent incidents took place in the Dennery South constituency (represented by MP Edmund Estephane), there is no denying the impact on all the people of Dennery. He stated that the time has come for all law-abiding residents to rise to the challenge and do what is necessary to stem the wave of violence in the community — at a time when state resources are stretched handling the COVID-19 response. “This wave of violence is hurting our community badly. The violence and lawlessness must stop… it must stop now! Violence, irrespective of who is involved, must be condemned and denounced at every opportunity,” Edward stressed.

He reminded residents that all persons have a role to play in restoration efforts, including him as MP. The police, he said, cannot do it on their own. Instead, the situation calls for a collaborative effort. He urged residents to step up to the plate, since the quality of life the next generation enjoys, is dependent on the quality of community handed over to them. “So I’m calling on all law-abiding citizens of the Dennery Basin; people of good will, let us ensure that we create an environment in which people can live harmoniously with each other. Violence is certainly not the answer to our problems at this particular juncture.”

He assured residents that he will do whatever is necessary, within the confines of the law and with limited resources at his disposal, to do his part in making Dennery a much safer place. In closing, the MP said: “If Dennery becomes a safer place, Saint Lucia becomes a safer place. And with a safer country, I think it can only redound to a better quality of life for all people in Dennery and Saint Lucians in general.”