Dear Editor,
The spate of teenage violence and criminal behaviour in Guyana must be of concern to every right-thinking person. While the government continues to play politics with this dangerous reality more of our children fall victim to this raging cycle of criminal behaviour. Despite the regime’s intransigence and public denial that crime and violence has been on the upsurge, I know that there are others who are concerned about this dire situation, and care enough to take action.
No longer can we wait for this regime to do its job and act on behalf of our children. It is, therefore, important that we act before we are all consumed by this vicious cycle of crime. I therefore make a special appeal to Commissioner of Police Leroy Brummel and Brigadier of the GDF Mark Phillips to review the recruitment policy of their respective organisations with a view to developing a comprehensive programme to attract many of our young people into these institutions. We need to get out into the communities, schools, youth organisations and every place where young people congregate, and make a ‘sales pitch’ to our children. Let them know that the disciplined services offer opportunities for them; let them know that they can turn negative energy into positive contributions. Our children must know that these organisations are open to them; they must know that these entities are not their enemies. The jobless rate among our youth will continue to be a huge challenge because of poor economic policies but these organisations can open their doors, even if only to provide apprenticeship.
Are we better off aiding and abetting their criminal careers? Are we better off killing them when we confront them in our homes? Are we better off having them languish in jail cells? Are we better off just blaming their parents? Are we better off adopting a Rohee/PPP/C attitude towards crime and violence in the country? Certainly not! Let us work to stem this dangerous tide, these children are our children and they must be rescued. Let us be proactive on this issue, let us speak to the young people, for their voices and outlook on life will be critical in helping to find solutions to the many challenges they face.
We all must act to stop our children from falling through the cracks. These children live in the same society we exist in; they are our neighbours, we visit the same barber shop, buy groceries in the same stores, breathe the same air. It is not sufficient to be satisfied with the fact that our biological children are doing “just fine,” we have to be concerned about those around us. We cannot simply categorize these children as criminals and write them off. Some kind of effort must be made to deal with this problem of youth crime and violence. I know there are many who are truly concerned. Let us act now. Maybe it is time for an open discussion on why the PPP/C government made it their priority to disband the Guyana National Service. Maybe, just maybe many of these children might have been learning a trade.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
