GOVERNMENT authorities and customs officials are speaking out against an alleged “unprovoked and cowardly act” on a local customs officer that has elicited serious concerns.
In a heavily worded statement to the media, the Customs and Excise Department noted that while police are carrying out active investigations into the matter, nonetheless, they want to make it known “that any threat, harm, or attempt to harm any one of our officers pursuant to his/her duties will not be tolerated.”
Consequently, the release adds, “the Customs Department is committed to pursuing any offence against our own to ensure that justice is done. With the help of our colleagues in law enforcement, the Customs Department has pledged support to the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force in ensuring the justice is duly served.”
Reports state that on July 11 a customs officer was wounded in a shooting incident at Mongiraud, Gros Islet. He is currently hospitalized and in a stable condition.
He was reportedly shot in the neck and sustained injuries, before he was taken to the OKEU Hospital for treatment.
According to witnesses, they were perturbed by the sounds of gunshots fired in the area, which is an uncommon practice in that community.
One resident claimed that after going outside to check out the matter “we saw the car stopped in the lane with the man inside.” It is also reported that the victim was pursued by another car that fired at him when he paused for a moment.
As a follow up to this incident, Prime Minister and Minster for National Security Philip J Pierre held discussions with the ‘aggrieved’ employees and management of the customs department. At the meeting, the employees expressed their ‘safety concerns’ to the prime minister.
“My concern is as great as yours …because when these things happen, you need inevitably (to find out) where the blame counts,” declared PM Pierre.
He told the grouping that “we are going to do whatever we can do, and whatever is possible to ensure the protection of customs officers…”
The prime minister assured the customs officers that the authorities has initiated the ‘necessary measures’ and will monitor and mobilize the appropriate resources to respond to potential threats to their safety.
Pierre reiterated that, “Whatever the government can do we will do to ensure your safety.”
Acting Commissioner of Police Ronald Phillip was also present during the dialogue with the customs department personnel, noting that the police will continue to carry out thorough investigations into the matter.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, in a show of protest for this latest ghastly act, customs officers resorted to industrial action. Reports state that customs officers in Vieux Fort reported to work but subsequently ceased their activities to express their concerns about safety of both management and employees.
Noting that customs officers’ lives are at risk because of the duties they perform and have become targets, the employees stressed that the situation has been an ongoing concern. In a show of solidarity, officers in Castries also halted their work and requested a meeting with the Comptroller to address the matter.
Strongly condemning the act, PM Pierre described the incident as a “vicious attack on one of their colleagues.”
“This act of violence is not only a senseless act but also an attack on the very fabric of law and order that holds our society together. It is deeply troubling that such an incident has occurred, and it is our collective responsibility to stand against any form of violence targeting those who serve and protect,” Pierre added.
Prime Minister Pierre denounced glorification or encouragement of violence and criminality from any individual, including public figures and those entrusted to represent the people of this country.
“Words have power, and leaders must use their platform responsibly, promoting unity, respect, and peaceful solutions to conflicts,” he said.
Referring to past incidents involving deadly assaults on hard working citizens in the country, the national security minister said he is counting on the authorities “to thoroughly investigate this incident and others that have plagued our country, and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
He noted that government is committed “to deploying local, regional and international resources to arrest these cowardly attacks. At no point should these criminals feel so emboldened and we will redouble our efforts to ensure that justice is served.
“Violence has no place in this country. It is through a collective effort, rooted in compassion and respect for one another, that we can build a safer and more harmonious society for all…Let us practice and demand a culture of peace, tolerance and appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to public service,” Pierre said.
SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE: OR THE OPPRESSORS:
Why am I not surprised?, no surprise here!, wisdom instruct me that sooner or later, someone would be fed up with the treatment that is being dealt to them, by members of the customs department, thank God here in this forum we are all equal, however, this is not the case when dealing with some members of the custom department employees.
I am against violence of all kinds, and the fact that some innocent person is being placed in harm’s way, I detest prejudice, superior attitude, rudeness, inferiority complex, vulgarity, and being judgemental of others, sadly to say those are the traits portray by some of the same people who are supposed to represent as the servant of the people in the customs department, some are merely foxes hidden in the chicken coupe, haven witnessed their inflated ego, and downright nasty disposition when serving our citizens, given to preferential treatment, above those who would accept to suffer the disgrace of being bullied.
A uniform of any kind wearing upon the backs of any government employees, in any given departmental sector, seems to inflate the ego of certain individuals ego, and a license to commit abuse, working here on the Island, they do not recognize the fact that they are employed by the people and therefore the servant of the people, that does not come to their feeble minds, because some does not have minds at all, however, they find themselves to be a colleague of the highest office in the land, not surprising.
This attitude of discrimination done by a certain individual working in the government sector has gone unnoticed and unchecked for as long as I can remember, maliciously it has materialized into a good old boys and girls club, there is no integrity among certain employees of the customs department, whereas that is no reason to resort to violence, those perpetuate committing low down disgraceful acts, of killing our citizen must stop immediately, however, it hurts to be taken advantage of when you observe the rule of law, and expect to be treated as an equal.
In Caseinpoint you patiently stand in line for hours, waiting for customer service, you are here to pick up a simple package, up comes Mr. Nobody jumps to the top of the line smiles are the customs officer, and exchanged a handshake, you then become an object of no important value, regardless of the wait put in Mr. Nobody gets his business done above you, all is well in the eyes of the custom officer, Mr. nobody is picking up, to the tune of several hundreds of pounds of the merchandise, but that does not matter, the good old boy’s handshake clears him through.
Unfortunately, those disgraceful conducts are not being voiced out by the good citizens, most try their voices are silent BEFORE IT REACHES THE TOP, while others suffer the indignation of shame in silence, those who muster the courage to speak up, voicing a complaint at the highest level is no use, resistance is futile, they are all birds of the same feather, how long can this the custom department destructive ways last, this generation will not stand still, you must put your house in order. Being disciplined and upright in the job position you perform is self inherited not learned, crocked and slothful is learned.
If allowed to go unpunished, who knows whom the bells may toll for, law and order must prevail, to cure a defect, you must first find out the root cause, to arrive at an antidote, you must know the poison taken, so it must be to root out evil.