BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS a possible solution to the upsurge in gangs and gang-related activities, the government is looking into the enactment of legislation which speaks specifically to their proscription.
On Tuesday, March 10, 2009, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L Douglas mentioned on his weekly radio programme (Ask the PM) what took place at the Labour Party’s recently held town hall meeting at the McKnight Community Centre. He said the first couple of persons who made presentations advised that the time has come for gangs to be outlawed.
“...let me say that presently my government is in fact looking at a number of pieces of legislation that is being drawn up that will do exactly that. That would identify specifically in the way of educating our people...all of the signs, the type of clothing, the type of support materials that suggest supporting gangs. ...These are firstly what we want to bring to the attention of the public and then, of course, make sure that the appropriate laws are in place to outlaw the formation of gangs and to outlaw gang culture definitely.”
Dr. Douglas commended those who attended the town hall meeting for the “quality of discussions” and for the recommendations they tabled.
He commented that the meeting was held in the heart of Constituency Number Two because that area has suffered at the hands of those who engage in or who have engaged in gang-related activities.
So much so is the suffering, Douglas explained, that “I’ve had so many people who have come to me wanting the opportunity to move out of the area”.
He said this ought not to be as the assurance of a safe and secure community is essential.
“We therefore need to ensure that the community is made to feel safe and secure, and that is why I was heartened by the tremendous response from the large number of persons who came to fill the hall...the ordinary people of this country, they understand the pain, they understand the challenges we face and they were making very, very worthwhile suggestions.”
Over the past years, the area has been plagued by gangs and with gang-related activities. More recently, two young men, Akimba Whyte (19) of Cardin Avenue, St. Johnston Village and Kwesi Twells (20) of Manchester Avenue, Newtown were gunned down in broad daylight. The incident took place on Wednesday, March 4, 2008 at about 1:00 p.m. They are the Federation’s sixth and seventh murder victims for the year.
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