Saint Lucia’s Acting Governor General Cyril E. M. Charles has linked the country’s current crime scourge to a deterioration in civility and respect.
As a result, he called on all Saint Lucians to do more to reverse the decline.
Charles emphasised the vital role of mutual respect in maintaining societal cohesion, particularly in times of disagreement, stating that it is the ‘glue’ that holds communities and the wider society together.
Delivering the Throne Speech to a joint session of parliament on Tuesday, he declared that children should grow up in an atmosphere of respect for those in authority.
He mentioned parents, teachers, the police, and civil and religious leaders.
However, Charles observed that those in authority should equally live up to their leadership responsibilities by being good examples.
“This deterioration in mutual respect is at the root of the scourge of crime and indiscipline that we are facing in our country today,” the Acting Governor General warned.
Charles told the House of Assembly that the government would do all it could to assist law enforcement and ensure the judicial system’s strengthening.
In this regard, he noted the commencement of work to build a new Halls of Justice to provide a conducive environment for court officials and judges.
Nevertheless, Charles explained that decreasing the country’s crime level would require the collective effort of all law-abiding citizens.
“Crime-fighting is a battle between those who want a safe and stable society and those who desire chaos and instability,” he stated.
Charles declared that the government stands with the former and will provide the necessary resources to ensure citizen safety and the country’s stability.
How can children learn respect when parents, leaders, people in authority do not practice and show respect for others. Children learn from what they see.
I’d also add non enforcement of the “little” laws. Everyone starts to treat authority, law and order as a joke when they see nothing enforced. And eventually everyone will join in as it makes not sense to follow rules.
In the parliament we have a character who had his US visa revoked. And has all sorts of suspicions surrounding. Even a former PM made it clear he would not serve in a parliament in that character. That character was elected in a democratic process. What does that say about the people of this country? How do you think there will ever be law and order and reduction in crime?
@Solutions Oriented. You got it right, he has it wrong. He went to the second step and ignored the first step. Everything starts with enforcement of the existing laws to establish a culture of discipline. There’s a generation that is ignorant of order. They grew up in households that were “no holds barred.” Then greater society with it’s laissez faire approach didn’t teach them a thing. They looked around them and learned that it’s okay to break rules. You can vend anywhere, one can build in the cemetery, speed, drive while intoxicated, blare music etc. It’s all about the selfish individual.
@Poule Foo April 23, 2024 At 3:19 pm
Isn’t it amazing that we the laypersons can clearly see what the problems are but those well paid folks cannot? Is it by design? Or just plain incompetence?