BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A couple of weeks ago, news broke that the unthinkable happened when an unscrupulous individual(s) attempted to kidnap a school-aged child. And while we are all thankful that the plan was foiled, the incident gave rise to some glaring concerns which, if not properly addressed, can cause the situation to spiral out of control.
I must first commend the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force for its exploits and successes with drug busts and other initiatives. However, concerning the aforementioned incident, it must be noted that to date no press release has been disseminated to the public – via the media – even if just to raise awareness of this incident.
This publication was made aware of the incident and felt it necessary to sensitise the public, especially female students and their parents/guardians, because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Before doing so, however, SKNVibes spoke with a member of the Police Force’s High Command who indicated that he was aware of the incident and promised that a press release would have been issued on the day of our conversation.
Having not seen the release, SKNVibes took the decision to publish an article about the incident, thereby alerting readership and heightening their level of awareness.
More troubling than the fact that criminal elements are now turning their sights to kidnapping school-aged children, is that the possibility existed that had the media not caught wind of the incident, the public at large would probably have been totally oblivious to it.
And where would that have left us?
It would have meant that those vulnerable individuals among us would have remained in that state of not sensing the urgent need to fortify themselves. Note well, the fortification of which I speak is not with weapons but with the power of knowledge, which is key in influencing behaviour.
As if this incident was now enough, this publication learnt that prior to the attempted kidnapping, a female student of the Basseterre High School was accosted at about 3:15 one morning by a police patrol for being alone on the streets. The student reportedly explained that she had attended a school-sponsored event and while on her way home was kidnapped and raped by an individual whom she claimed not to know.
This matter, like the other, had not been brought to the public’s attention by the police, neither through the High Command nor the Public Relation Office.
The chorus of not wanting to prejudice a case is committed to the memory of most media practitioners as we have heard it from police officers on countless occasions. And that is clearly understood.
While it is understood that the identity of some adolescent victims of certain crimes is to be concealed, informing the public of such incidents only serves to warn the susceptible set to be aware of their surroundings.
To this end, SKNVibes makes the following suggestions:
1. Just as Traffic Safety tips are given via radio etc., the police should consider releasing tips to educate the populace on what measures can be taken to reduce the likelihood of being kidnapped;
2. Children walking to and from school should try their best to do so in groups;
3. Children walking to and from school should try their best to be wary of and avoid isolated areas; and
4. Children should immediately report suspicious activity to their parents/guardians and or to the police.
While the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force is mandated to serve and protect residents of and visitors to the Federation, it must be remembered that some responsibility rests with us and, having been fitted with the knowledge that has been transferred via this article, we must increase our efforts in securing ourselves and our youth who are the future leaders of St. Kitts and Nevis.
