The idiom “who will bell the cat” originates from a fable. In this tale, a group of mice decide to put a bell on a cat to warn them of its approach. However, none of the mice want to take on the perilous job of attaching the bell. The idiom is used to ask who has the courage to undertake a difficult or risky task for the benefit of a group.
In the context of Saint Lucia, the question “Who will bell the cat?” refers to identifying individuals with the courage to stop or significantly reduce gun-related crime.
Unfortunately, despite the government’s efforts, such as strengthening the police force and creating youth programmes, gun-related incidents continue to rise, resulting in an alarming increase in homicides.
The situation poses a danger to every Saint Lucian and to our economy. If we don’t address this crime wave successfully, it could erode any gains made over the past year and deter potential visitors from the island.
Regional and international agencies have described the violence in Saint Lucia, particularly the murder rate, as alarming and comparable to countries like Trinidad and the Bahamas. While gun-related crime is steadily increasing, we believe it can be seriously reduced. To do so, those in positions of power must demonstrate courage and take decisive action.
Equipping the police and engaging stakeholders are steps, but we need more than that to address this critical issue.
We have done the multifaceted approach in fighting crime. We have strengthened community policing efforts by building trust between law enforcement and residents. We have encouraged officers to engage with community members, attend neighbourhood meetings, and collaborate on crime prevention strategies. We have identified high-crime areas and deploy additional resources (police patrols, surveillance, etc.) there. We have even gone as far as raising awareness about the impact of gun violence on families, communities, and the nation. And even encourage citizens to report illegal firearms and suspicious activities.
What then is enough to stop or make a shooter think twice before he/she pulls that trigger?
We take this opportunity to present the powers that be with a few options they can consider:
1) Deny bail to anyone found by police to have in his/her possession an illegal gun and ammunition; or at the very least make the granting of bail for a gun-related crime (including the possession of an unlicensed firearm) a jurisdiction of the High Court rather than the Magistrates Court. Too often have we heard of persons out on bail committing the same act or acts much worse while on bail .
2) Invest in the Bordelais Correctional Facility expansion. Too many criminals arrested for serious crimes are given slaps on the wrist verdicts by courts because of the overcrowding at the lone correctional facility in Dennery.
3) Make it a mandatory 5 to 15 years jail time for persons found guilty of a crime that is gun-related.
4) Focus on disrupting criminal networks involved in gun trafficking.
5) Enforce existing gun control laws rigorously (we are aware of a heightened thrust by the RSLPF in searching for and recovering illegal arms and we commend their efforts).
6) Invest in youth programmes that provide alternatives to crime, such as sports, arts, and vocational training.
7) Create job opportunities and vocational training programmes to reduce unemployment.
We are aware that no single solution can completely eradicate gun-related crime, but a comprehensive approach involving government, law enforcement, communities, and individuals can make a significant difference.
With the rate of arrests made by police these days, the message will get to the gun carriers and shooters that an illegal gun is too hot a potato to carry around or use in disagreements with each other.
Just last week the island recorded back to back double homicides. A total of five individuals were killed in one weekend. If this is not too much we don’t know what is.
The homicide cat must be belled. The cats who use firearms to solve their disagreements/problems must be belled. Serious crime and violence in this country must be belled, the question is, who will do it?