The recent shootings and the death of one young man as a result, just a few days before the start of the Summer Festival, have caused much concern in Anguilla and has been an assault on law and order.

Much to the dismay of all the right-thinking and peace-loving citizenry, the sad occurrences show that gang rivalry and acrimony among young people on the island is reaching an alarming and dangerous level. It also demonstrates that despite the hard work of the police to control guns on the island and the amnesty appeals to give them up there are still a number of illegal firearms in the hands of criminal elements.

The drive-by shootings on Monday night in Blowing Point which injured two youngsters and caused the untimely death of a third victim, as well as the previous shooting incident and beating on Saturday night, July 28, in the South Hill area, which landed another young man in a Barbados hospital, must be roundly condemned. And those responsible must be apprehended and punished to the fullest extent of the law. The “Wild West” must not be seen to be overtaking Anguilla and the young men who should live orderly lives in our developing and religious society should be ashamed of themselves.

This has not been good news either for the peaceful enjoyment of the upcoming Summer Festival or any other social gathering event where masses of persons will be in attendance. In the past such events have been interrupted by criminal behaviour among youngsters and have been a source of much discouragement and fear among patrons.

The Summer Festival is a big annual occasion in Anguilla with great tourism, entertainment and revenue potential. We pray that over the coming days of the festivities that there will be safety, law and order, enjoyment and decency on the island and that there will be the presence of a restraining power to hold back the forces of strife and other forms of evil. At the same time we are hoping that our police officers will have an effective security plan in place to prevent any acts of violence.

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