Claudia Liburd
Nevis Reporter- SKNVibes.com
After the gruesome murder of Michelle Weekes-Benjamin whose body was found in a septic tank in a building under construction on Rosemary Lane in St. Kitts on Wednesday November 1st, many are justly concerned about the growing crime situation in the Federation.
The deceased was described as a loving individual who never thought twice about sharing her smile with others and always had a passion to encourage others to see their full potential.
~~adz:right~~After her death, many are questioning how much we in the Federation value human life when seemingly the only solution that we have to altercation is murder. Questions about the value of life involve some of the most important considerations made in the fields of science and ethics. However, how do we as a society decide who determines the value of life? Is it the Scientist? The Reverend at the Church? The policymakers in Government or behind the trigger is it a different sequel in that the Gunman has the power?
In my view, we were all placed here for a distinct purpose and for us to take upon ourselves to cut short another's life is not only presumptuous but also self destructive in that what you do to others will come back to you tenfold. When you send out hatred and negativity you put that same energy in your life and when you send out murder and hatred you open that same energy in your life.
I really hope we all find the peace that we are looking for and that those who commit these brutal violent acts will not only be put to justice but will be rehabilitated. So that we can have a society that is pregnant with people who give birth to productivity, peace and joy.
It is from this backdrop that we hit the streets to ask the people of Nevis to give us their comments about the state of crime within St. Kitts, Nevis. Here's what they had to say:
It is a sad feeling for her to know that someone could commit such a brutal act. For what reason I do not know but she is an ordinary person just like you and me so I do not know why people would carry out such an act. I hope that they will find them early and some satisfaction will come out of it. I wish the family of that lady all the best and I hope that they can cope until that situation is resolved.
Brian Foster
'On the issue of the murder that took place in the Federation lately, yes we are all disgusted about it because though it is a twin
island Federation we are small and that kind of thing should not be happening. To be honest, I am looking at it from a different angle, everyone is saying that crime has to stop but how will we stop it? Everyone is targeting the youth but a lot of the youth go to prison and they come back out and society does not want to give them a chance. They cannot get a job and they cannot earn something so what do they do? They go back and do the same thing. So what do we do? We in the society have to give them a fair chance.
Delroy Lawrence
Well, I think that it is a very bad situation especially with males inflicting these kind of crimes on their wives or girlfriends. I think if you are with a lady and you are having problems you should find some other way to solve the problem rather than turning to killing or beating them because that will not solve the problem. I think that most men who are involved in this kind of crime should be counselled because it does not speak well of the country. Our main industry right now is Tourism so if we are having these types of crimes then it does not make any sense because people will not want to come to the country.
Wingrove Powell
I have known Michelle for just about a year because we work for the same company, The St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla National Bank. I
met her last year at a workshop organized by the bank and I found her to be a very nice person. The first thing I was struck by when I met her was her smile; she was always smiling and she had a very comforting smile. It is sad that for whatever reason that another human being would take another persons life. It makes me wonder how much value we as a society place on life. It is a very sad situation and it hit very close to home with me because I knew her. If I can say one thing she was a sweetheart and she will be missed.
Paul Challenger
When you talk about curbing violence, it has to start in the homes. You need to instil values in children from early and not just give them every material thing. It is a human instinct to give to your children and allow them to have a better life than you. Unfortunately, a lot of parents translate that into throwing every material thing on them; shoes, cell phones, everything. I am not saying that you should deprive them but teach them values as well. Nowadays, human life is seen as something very cheap and when you have a dispute with someone you take a life. It starts in the home but the media plays a major part as well in that violence is glorified and life is made to be cheap.
Cameron Gill
~~adz:right~~Don't just read The Vibes - Feel The Vibes.
