CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – CRIMINAL activity is expensive and Nevisians are paying for it from their pockets. This is according to the Minister responsible for Youth and Social Development, the Hon. Hensley Daniel, who was addressing the HOPE Nevis’ first Unity Rally in Bath Village.
Minister Daniel told the rally at the Albertha Payne Community Centre on Monday night (Oct. 16) that it costs a minimum of $100 a day to keep someone in prison, which amounts to $112 000 per month and at least $1.3M per year for 40 persons.
The Minister also pointed to the medical arena, where he said costs can amount to $9 000 in the first (or golden) hour as doctors try to save the life of a gunshot victim.
“When those persons have to remain in the ICU afterwards, it cost $1 000 per day and all of that is provided by the government and the government gets that money from the people who pay taxes.”
Daniel identified the supermarkets as another area where Nevisians are feeling the effects of criminal activity.
“Supermarkets pay for security guards by increasing the prices of their items. So, this anti-social behaviour which is marked by crime and violence is impacting all of us,” he said.
Minister Daniel commended HOPE for their initiative, saying that as the Minister of Youth he recognises he has to work collectively with a wide range of stakeholders and “if we have a group of young people committed like this to help us arrest a trend in society with which we are not very happy, we certainly have to thank them”.
He said their work is of the preventative kind which is less expensive than repairs. Daniel identified two programmes being run by the Ministry of Youth, which he said are repair work aimed at addressing the problems and concerns of young people.
“Nevisian Pearls targets young girls who are tending towards giving trouble. They go through a 13-week period of counselling and redirection to enable them to make meaningful choices.”
The Empowering Men for Change programme, according to the Minister, targets young men who have left school and who have difficulty finding employment, as well as those who are at risk of being in gangs.
“They are being taught a three-module programme in Electrical Wiring, Plumbing and Blue-print Reading, along with building character and personality.”
Monday’s rally also featured remarks by HOPE Nevis President Ron Daniel; Colin Tyrell on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament, the Hon. Mark Brantley; parents who lost children to violent crimes; and HOPE representative Lavon Lawrence.
A charge was given to the Bath Village community by Pastor Eversley Pemberton, while the Reverend Salome James offered a prayer and members of Rhythms Dance Theatre gave a splendid performance.
Calypsonian Baker and recording artiste Masud Sadiki also rendered songs promoting peace, and the latter even recommended that dealing with crime be approached with a view to healing instead of fighting.
Antonio Marshall, whose son Akion Claxton was shot to death on August 21 in Bath, made a stirring plea for youths to have respect for their parents and elders. Sheila Arthurton, who lost two children, aged 15 and 22 years old, urged parents to be the best they could be.
HOPE Nevis’ next rally is scheduled for November 30 at Low Street in Charlestown.
