It is a burning shame and disgrace that with all the promises of a good 2006, that barely into the second week of the year the spectre of crime and violence should raise its ugly head, spreading consternation and perhaps fear across the island. One understands the truth that good and evil strive together in our world, that the “wheat and the thistles” grow together, but unless there is a weeding out of the bad elements in our society, gun crime will destroy our economy and the precious name of Anguilla.

The shooting to death of one young man and the shooting and injuring of two visitors in quick succession, are grave and worrying occurrences. Otherwise peaceful and serene, Anguilla is no Wild West for these types of atrocities which must be roundly condemned and effectively stamped out. The perpetrators must quickly be found and brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law. Gun crime and other acts of violence in Anguilla are a mockery of the efforts of the Government, people and investors to develop the island as a proud, flourishing and progressive society with varied opportunities for all. The crimes are a mockery of the laws of the island and its peace and quiet.
Just think about the number of times an amnesty was been granted and extended, last year, to persons with illegal firearms and ammunition to turn them in to the police with no questions asked and a thank you pat on the back. Nobody really responded, but yet persons were found with guns and there have been sporadic discharges of firearms at functions and in villages, resulting in injuries – some to innocent persons caught in the crossfire. In an effort to stem the gun crime, the House of Assembly recently passed an amendment to the Firearms Ordinance which substantially increased the penalties for gun-tottering criminals.

What has been the impact on the hoodlums? Nothing. The guns are still coming into the island and the shootings have continued with injuries and death. It sounds bad but the truth must be told. Where are the guns coming from? If the Prime Minister of St. Kitts can reportedly point a finger to a neighbouring island some 60 miles away with a gun-shop, we here in Anguilla, only 12 miles away, with open and unprotected ports and not much security, can do so with even greater suspicion if not accuracy. There is a crying need to close every conduit through which guns and ammunition may be illegally entering Anguilla and being used in gang violence, robberies, other attacks and drug peddling.

It is frightening where all of this will lead and end if not firmly addressed. Just like we have been able to put all our energies and resources into the economic development of Anguilla, we need to do the same, without reservation, to protect what we have built up over many years of toiling. It is in this vein that we applaud the swift decision by the Governor and the Government to bring in detectives to investigate the recent shooting death, wounding of another young man and now the attack and injury on the two visitors. Clearly, the local Police Force needs expanding to maintain law and order. It also needs the assistance of UK law enforcement personnel to bolster it “to tackle gun crime in a more proactive and aggressive manner” as the Governor stated. There are people here who would rather see the island appearing to be a police state and to live in security than to have the threat of uncontrolled violence over their heads.

Anguilla, with its up-market tourism industry, will have to do much to maintain its image abroad by controlling crime and violence. We cannot afford the negative and destructive publicity this brings to any developing society like Anguilla. Members of the public have a critical role to play in passing on information in confidence to the police. They must tell them what they know or have seen and the police must protect the identity of their informants unless they are willing to go public and appear in court as witnesses. The recent shooting incidents are simply outrageous and painful and cannot be tolerated. Let everyone of us do our utmost to remove this scourge of gun crime from our society with all haste and at all cost.

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