Crime ‘is really out of hand’ in the VI- Raul R. Sprauve
Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, Khalid A. Frett, Raul R. Sprauve and TJ Henley appeared as guests on the ZBVI 780 AM radio programme Umoja with host Cromwell Smith on June 8, 2017 to discuss the peace concert.
With the support of the Tortola Central Lions Club, local singers and other musicians have joined forces to host a ‘Stop the Crime’ peace concert on Friday June 16 at the Tortola Pier Park.
Preceding activities will kick off at 4:00 PM when the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) sounds the emergency alarm and at that time everyone in the territory is expected to stop and stand still for one minute in observance of the peace initiative. This will be followed by a ‘Stop the Crime March’ beginning at 4:30 PM from the Road Town round-about to the concert venue. The concert is slated to start at 6:00 PM.
The crime is bothering us
According to Eustace ‘Boss’ Freeman, President of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance, “The crime is bothering us. We are here now because we decide and we saying that we are not going to let it just bother us and cover our heads in a corner. We are going to try and do something about it. Enough is enough. So we are trying to make that step forward and that’s why we are here tonight about the Stop the Crime Concert.”
In agreement with Mr Freeman, the host commented that the VI community should cooperate with law enforcement when they have information about a crime. As a result, this will help to capture the criminals and keep the community safe.
This drew a response from Mr Freeman, who explained that “this is one of the biggest things. We as a community have the mentality that crime and solving crime is just a burden for the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) to solve or that’s their problem. Reality is, it starts and it ends with us, the people of the community.”
He further stated that people should be more proactive instead of waiting until something happens before they speak up about it.
Khalid A. Frett, Senior Corporate Administrator and Managing Partner at Crazy Threadz, added that parents, along with the society on a whole, should encourage children from a young age to be positive and avoid the negative influences.
“I see certain things among the youths and we have to be aware of the social skills that are plaguing our community as well and not to just cover it up but how do we channel it to stop or to divert them into positive structures within the society.”
Conflict resolution seminars
Mr Freeman point out that proceeds from the selling of custom made t-shirts will be invested in conflict resolution seminars for the children in the community.
“The youngsters in the community will know how to deal with different issues rather than resorting to just crime. Rather than feeling all is lost and there is no one here to look out for you, we are saying that there are other ways to deal with your problems.”
‘It’s really out of hand’
Raul R. Sprauve and TJ Henley, members of VIBE, later joined the conversation and agreed that the community should come together and help in the fight against crime.
Mr. Sprauve noted that there is no secret about what the VI is going through right now regarding crime. “……it’s really out of hand and at the end of the day it’s our BVI and we need to take control of what’s going on and of course, lead by example. We are going to spread the word of peace and unity through music.”
In response to Mr Sprauve, TJ Henley stated that the VI is looking for unity but suggested that it’s unattainable because the communities are segregated. “It could be I from East. I from West. I from Huntums Ghut. I from here. I from wherever. Its segregation. If we change segregation and tackle the segregation aspect of it, then I think we can get a lot closer to unity.”
“It’s really shocking. It’s becoming a norm. It’s up to us to preserve the paradise,” remarked Mr Freeman.
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20 Responses to “Crime ‘is really out of hand’ in the VI- Raul R. Sprauve”
There is a saying that contends, "if you meet people where they are at, you have a better chance to get across what you want."
These young people are trying - give them that chance - their message have a better chance to be listened to there than in a setting where adults always want to preach their Holier Than Thou Sermans. Look around, there are a lot of adults in our community doing nothing to help curb the problem. Leave these young people be- I beg!
P.S. The only time the youth turn and look at me is when my daughter ran over for water. He on the right path.