Residents of Babonneau gathered on Saturday to denounce the recent surge of violence in their community.
In response to three homicides and a shooting that left one person injured, a ‘March for Peace’ was organized. The event saw participation from faith-based organizations, a local youth group, the community’s parliamentary representative, and other concerned citizens.
The march began in Cacoa and drew a large crowd, with residents advocating for peace.
The violence dates back to 2023, when Kacey Jason Montoute was killed in Talvern, Babonneau. Over a year later, on July 5, 2024, detectives from the Major Crimes Unit formally charged Gunna Maximin with Montoute’s death.
In 2024, the violence escalated, claiming the lives of Devon Maximin in July, Alva Cole in August, and Kestan Delaire in September. Additionally, a house was destroyed by fire, reportedly part of an ongoing feud.
Business owners have been closing earlier than usual, and residents, fearing for their safety, have also been retiring early to bed.
Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau, Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte, urged criminals to lay down their arms.
“I’m here today to join civil society organizations that have taken the initiative for us to walk against crime and violence in Babonneau and Saint Lucia by extension. We want the people of Babonneau to live in a peaceful environment. With this walk, we are sending a message to people, especially young people, that there is a better way,” she said in an interview on Saturday.
“Seeing what Julien Alfred has achieved, I believe she is an inspiration for young people to realize their potential. After this walk, I hope to continue collaborating with these groups to provide opportunities for our youth, such as employment, skills training, and sports, to keep them meaningfully engaged and contribute to national development,” Dr. Albert-Poyotte added.
She emphasized the government’s significant investment in education and sports to provide positive outlets for young people. “It is heartbreaking that some of the victims of violence in Babonneau were my former students. I never taught them to end their lives like this. I want to protect those who are not victims and support this group so that in the coming months, we will see progress and invite everyone to be part of the developmental process,” she concluded.
Former Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau and President of the Senate Alvina Reynolds was also present at Saturday’s event.
Like many others in the community, she’d also been affected by violence.
“I want to speak on behalf of my cousin (Kacey Jason Montoute and) students Devon (and) Kestan (who) were gunned down in a matter of a year and three months. I want to say to the young people of Talvern that there is another way. This way is not the way,” the former minister stated, noting that she and Dr. Virginia Albert-Poyotte “taught you differently.”
The President of the Senate once taught at the Fond Assau Combined School.
According to her, there is “good news” for the community.
“A group of us have come together (and we) have had our first meeting and we will be on the ground providing the necessary support for families who have been traumatised,” she informed residents.
She also noted that grieving parents “are chanting for peace, they cannot sleep (and) they are in pain. There is need for anger management, conflict resolution (and) counselling skills. I’m calling on the men of (Babonneau) to stand up and do what you have to do for the boys of this (community). We will be coming with the peace and love initiative for sports to get the young men off the blocks so they could channel their energies into something positive,” the President of the Senate said.
Law enforcement officers also showed their support at Saturday’s march and condemned the violence that is affecting communities.
Hugh Darsheville, a sergeant at the Babonneau Police Station, noted that “the police cannot fight this scourge” by themselves and said they are thankful for Saturday’s event.
“I’m happy that the church is there. We need pastors from all denominations because sometimes we have these troubled youth at the station and we are the ones doing the counselling asking them to change, but sometimes we deal with things that are deeper. We deal with the spiritual as well,” the sergeant said, adding that they are “not trained to deal with some of the situations that come in” like when people are possessed.
“We are asking the pastors and persons from the church to drop by… to give us help (and) advice (on) what we do on a daily basis. We have broken households; boys being raised without fathers. I think this is one of the deepest problems we have,” the sergeant acknowledged.
A former gang leader who’d survived 17 gunshots urged criminals to turn to Jesus, adding that a life of crime comes with no rewards.
When he was involved in gang violence, he was affectionately known as “007”. But his life has changed completely, he said.
Saturday’s March for Peace certainly drew attention. Residents are hoping for a turnaround in the community of Babonneau which is crucial at this point.
In the meantime, they continue to pray.