BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - "Crime can change the course, and alter your lifestyle. So whatever you guys are doing here at this music workshop, remember to learn well but do whatever you can to stay away from crime."
This is the advice that was given to the attendees at Winston 'Zack' Nisbett's Fife, Banjo, Quatro and Guitar Workshop by Deputy Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd.
"I cannot say that you will not see a gun at some point throughout your lives or that you will not know about weapons because you all see them by just looking at today's movies and television in general.
"Too many of us have had to mourn the loss of a family member or friend, so my only encouragement to you all here is to use music, use this opportunity to learn something of importance," he said.
He said that with music, and playing instruments, it could be used as a backup career or a change in career path at any time, and he gave examples of a cricketer and a teacher, among others who have chosen a career in music after retirement.
He gave another example of a young man who is overseas studying and is using music to assist with his tuition payments, stating that music could not only be a career path but it could be used as a part-time job to assist with finances when the time comes.
"Enjoy music; there is nothing wrong with it. Everyone is not going to enjoy the same type of music but in itself it is universal, and these instruments that you are playing allows you to play any type of music. As you go through high school and college, continue to play music, enjoy music and never give up on learning how to play music," he advised.
He went on to say, "All that I am saying here is good, but something can change all of that and that is if you all get yourselves into trouble with the law...Stay away from crime".
He appealed to the student not to do anything that would put them in contact with the police unnecessarily.
"Do not do anything that would put you in prison," he said.
"I want you to carry this with you 'If I want to grow up to enjoy music the way I am enjoying in now that I am small, I have to understand that I cannot to do anything that would put me in trouble with the police'," he told them.
He encouraged the children not to get involved in gangs, drugs and violence.
"Please stay away from drugs, stay away from gangs, stay away from crime, I am begging you. Hold on to the music and stay away from crime," he pleaded.
