BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE New Mentality Team club, which was formed last year and conducted several beautification projects in Basseterre’s grimmest areas is continuing on its positive path of crime fighting.
On Jan. 19, one of its founding members Chad Williams and another member Dale ‘Hotboy’ Wattley along with the Police Commissioner C.G. Walwyn visited Her Majesty’s Prison and spoke with the inmates.
Williams said that it was his first time being there and that the purpose of the visit which was made possible through the Police Commissioner, was to encourage the prisoners to be on a positive path and to deter them from criminal life and thinking.
Wattley said that it was his second visit and the first time he visited the prisons came about through an initiative by Dwyer Astaphan, former Minister of National Security.
Williams said that, as it stands, the crime rate has somewhat dropped, so they wanted to encourage inmates to help to keep it that way.
“The jail has a big part to play in crime; a lot of guys come to jail, and may meet up on someone who doing life, who may decide to tell them to do stuff for them since they would not see the street again. So that when that person goes out… sometimes you see people do things on the road and it’s because of the ‘word’ they get" Williams said.
“So we can’t say they over there and to leave them out of our crime fighting initiatives; one bad apple spoil the whole bunch.”
The two men said that it was a rewarding experience for them and they think most of them would change.
“We went in there to encourage them, to change their ways in there, so when they come out it would be easier for them. So they can get a job etc. basically we told them, if them and someone ain’t have a problem, they shouldn’t pick up on anything.
Because sometimes it’s gang versus gang and some people only fighting because of their friend, so you might lose your life because of a friend. And we trying discourage that.
“If you’re friend has something with somebody let your friend work out that, that’s their business, not yours. Don’t bring the whole of St. Kitts in it,” they both said.
Williams said the feedback from the prisoners was positive.
“People want to change, nobody wants war, but some people ain’t man enough to say that. So we’re telling them they don’t have to feel like a punk to walk away, because it is better than losing your life. The gang war only leads to two things – Her Majesty’s Prison or Springfield Cemetery,” Williams said.
The men, who are from areas that are at times plagued with crime said that they have passed that stage and desperately want to see a change in the country.
They are both fathers and owners of their own business and want to see a better St. Kitts and Nevis.
“My biggest thing is that I have my son, and he’s just like me, and I’m always thinking if I don’t do something about this now, he might end up one day in a gang; what I went through I wouldn’t like him to go through because it ain’t easy.
“Sometimes you can’t sleep at nights, and if you’re going somewhere you have to be extra careful; I want him to be free. I don’t want no bar on his life,” Williams said.
The men said they wanted to thank the Top Cop for helping with their initiative and related that it was his first time visiting and speaking to the prisoners as well.
They also have more plans to purse in helping to fight crime.
They are planning a ‘Peace Jog’ on Saturday, Jan. 28, where various persons from different communities could be a part of it.
They plan to start at the roundabout by the bypass near Camps enroute to Basseterre and end at the Fire station in Newtown where they plan to have a small rally.
“We’re happy we went there and we’re glad we spoke to the prisoners. We felt like a change was going to happen; we had a good response from them as some commended us on what we were doing,” said Wattley.
He added that they plan to touch all avenues that may be prone to crime and criminal behaviours including schools.
“Some places we go would need more talking than others. We’re not coming in suit and tie to talk to them; we coming normal,” he said.
The men said that the more help they receive the better and that people should also do their part in helping to fight crime.
They are also available to help anyone who feels they are in a situation that seems possible to get out of.
“If you want help and you in a gang situation and want to get out, call us, we could help you get out, we could talk to your enemy, we could help solve the situation, call us,” Wattley said.
They can be contacted at 669-2445 or 663 0789.
