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Chief
Minister Announces Establishment of a Multidisciplinary
Committee on Crime |
The Valley, Anguilla, Thursday, April 12th, 2007
----- As part of the efforts to address the recent upsurge
in the incidents of crime, the Honourable Osbourne Fleming,
Chief Minister convened an emergency meeting at his offices
on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.
In addition to members of the government and opposition
member the Hon. Hubert Hughes, present at the meeting
were Dame Bernice Lake, QC, Commissioner of
Police, Keithley Benjamin and Sergeant Rudolph
Proctor, Superintendent Minister of the Methodist
Church, the Rev. Dr. Clifton Niles, Chief Education
Officer, Mrs. Rhonda Connor, Commissioner of Social
Development, Mr. Stanford Harrigan, Director of
Tourism, Mrs. Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Chief
Immigration Officer Ms. Laureen Bryan, Executive
Directors of the Anguilla Hotel Association and the Anguilla
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as other
representatives from the Department of Education and the
Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association.
It was recognized by all present that the recent upsurge in
the incidents of crime if not suppressed and eradicated can
only lead to serious negative effects on the quality of life
of residents and visitors alike, and the overall buoyancy of
the Anguilla economy.
“Anguilla has for many years been known as a safe and
tranquil country (for its residents) and destination for its
visitors; and we intend to keep it that way” said Mr.
Fleming. “We recognize like every other destination, that
one of the negative social impacts of tourism in particular,
and development in general is the rise in the incidences of
crime. Because we have remained so un-spoilt for many years
any incident of crime rings through as a resounding echo in
a very still night. We are not minimizing these crimes that
have taken place and we wish to reassure Anguillians and
visitors alike that Anguilla is still a relatively safe
place that with our collective efforts we can preserve for
years to come. Mr. Fleming on behalf of the Government and
people of Anguilla expressed his sympathy and regrets to the
victims of the crimes and promised that the Royal Anguilla
Police Force (with the help of the Government of Anguilla
and the community at large) will apprehend the criminals.
It is out of this desire to “nip it in the bud’ and combat
this potential scourge that the Chief Minister has
established this committee to carry forward the
recommendations arising out of the meeting of April 11,
2007. The recommendations coming out of the meeting have
identified two broad approaches which include both
prevention and correction. It was recognized that the tasks
of crime prevention and correction were not limited to the
Royal Anguilla Police Force but required the involvement of
the entire Anguillian community. Dame Lake in outlining the
development of the institution of policing concluded that it
must be a partnership between the community and the police,
showing that the establishment of the institution of
policing was an outgrowth of the earlier hue and cry
tradition where the community was the watchdog and did the
“policing”.
A number of specific recommendations came out of the meeting
which will require the active support and involvement of the
family, the education department, the department of social
development, the church, the police, the business community,
civil society, the immigration department and the overall
government establishment.
Commissioner of Police, Keithley Benjamin advised that his
department is actively pursuing an exchange programme with
other police forces in the region to assist with the
training, efficiency and effectiveness of the RAPF. He
assured Chief Minister Fleming and those present that he has
been working feverishly to ensure police confidentiality and
was putting in place measures that would allow the community
on Anguilla to feel more secure and confident when providing
information to the police to assist with the solving of
crimes. In addition, the staff complement of the Anguilla
Police Force was being increased by 20 and the Royal
Anguilla Police Force was working with the police force in
Aruba to design a tourism policing programme similar to that
which successfully exists in Aruba.
Chief Minister Fleming asked Commissioner of Police Benjamin
to increase police patrols in the various districts. In
addition to the police patrols it is necessary for the
Anguilla community to regain some of our traditions. There
were times when we all looked at our neighbours’ yards for
we recognized that it takes a community to protect a
community; the police cannot do it alone. Let us not get so
individualistic that we are concerned only for our own
safety for as the old adage goes “when your neighbour house
is on fire wet yours”. Anguillians must take back their
communities and regain the spirit of neighbourly love; for
love conquers all – even the scourge of crime.
Reverend Dr. Niles commented that somewhere we had fallen
asleep. The link between crime and decline in spiritual
values was established and a returning to our Christian
values and lifestyle must be a priority. The lawless and
callous behaviour that is developing has to be arrested
immediately as these mark the beginning of our decline.
The link between underachievement in education and crime
were identified and plans for a learning support programme
were identified by the Chief Education Officer.
This is no time to point fingers and try to lay blame. This
is time for serious action. It is time for commercial
businesses, tourism establishments and private citizens to
put in place plans and devices to help to combat crimes.
Times are changing and we must be cognizant of the times.
Technological devices from simple to sophisticated are
available and we must begin to invest in these to help to
protect our properties and lives. We must regain our family
values and in the midst of prosperity not forget the God who
has enabled us to prosper. Our education system must become
truly comprehensive to cater to the abilities and interests
of all. Our youths must have positive reinforcements and
outlets for their time, energy and talents. Neighbourhood
watches cannot be limited to certain communities. They must
exist whether in an organized or unorganized manner. . This
is time for the business community, civil society and
government to contribute to a National Crime Fund. Forty
years after we united against the central government and
succeeded, we must once more as a community unite – this
time against the scourge of crime and violence.
The purpose of the committee established by the Government
of Anguilla is to therefore assist with the designing of a
strategy and the development of an action plan to facilitate
the prevention and correction of crime on Anguilla. The
criminals on Anguilla are few said Mr. Banks, Minister of
Finance and Tourism, “and we must capture the few, so that
the majority can be at peace”; we must also put in place
mechanisms to prevent the growth in antisocial behaviour.
This committee will include representatives from the Chief
Minister’s Office, the Attorney General’s Chambers, the
Departments of Education and Social Development, The Royal
Anguilla Police Force, the Ministry of Tourism and the
Anguilla Tourist Board, the Anguilla Hotel & Tourism
Association, the legal fraternity, and the Church. The
committee will hold its first meeting during the week of
April 16, 2007.
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