In response to Minister Ambrose George

The statement of Honourable Ambrose George made two days ago at a gathering in Trafalgar should be viewed as a feeble attempt to cast aspersions on those patriotic Dominicans who have recently spoken publicly about the frightening situation of crime and violence among our nation’s youth.

The statement of Honourable Ambrose George made two days ago at a gathering in Trafalgar should be viewed as a feeble attempt to cast aspersions on those patriotic Dominicans who have recently spoken publicly about the frightening situation of crime and violence among our nation’s youth. In the past two weeks stakeholders almost to a man have been expressing concerns that the level of crime and violence amongst our youth is getting out of hand. And that unless corrective action is taken now, this would spell trouble for the country’s investment climate and our future development. Noticeably, government is the only institution that has remained silent. It is the odd man out.

Now, Honourable Minister Ambrose George comes out with his statement. No matter how charitable an interpretation you put on it, the message the Minister is sending out to the people of Dominica is that all is well with our youth. Crime and violence amongst them is not a matter for serious concern. And that persons like His Lordship Bishop Malzaire, Dr. Para Riviere, Thomas Letang of PSU, Judith Pestaina of DHTA, Algernon Charter of the Prison and the host of others who have expressed public concern: all these persons should stop exaggerating the situation and, instead, give the youth a gentle pat on the shoulder for a job well done.

Nothing could be more foolish. None of those persons who expressed concern about the crime and violence situation in our country is saying or has said that there is no talent among the youth. None of them is saying or has said that large sections of our young people are not oriented in a positive way. None of us is saying or has said that our youth are not the sinews of our nation and do not have a central role to play in our country’s march forward.

In fact, it is precisely because we recognize the immense potential of our young people and wish to see it harnessed and exploited to the fullest: It is because of this that stakeholders are trying, first with their voices, to do whatever is feasible to ensure that that potential is not wasted, it is not endangered, it is not blunted, it is not destroyed. And in our opinion the best way to do this is to take steps to halt the downward slide of our young people into the abyss of crime, violence, and general disrespect for authority.

Except for the visually challenged, those with hidden agendas and others who are genuinely out of touch with the present Dominican reality, the breakdown of order amongst our youth is plain to see. In fact, as early as September 2003 it was there for the Pierre Charles Administration to see. A national Symposium on Crime and Violence was called. Leading figures in the state were invited. Presentations were made. Discussions of the highest order took place. Far-reaching recommendations were made. And a Steering Committee was set up to bring those recommendations to fruition. Since then the only things that have changed is that Pierre Charles has died, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit has succeeded him, and the crime and violence problem, instead of getting better has become worse.

Honourable Minister Ambrose George is clearly out of touch. If he is as concerned, as his words suggest, about the future of the youth of Dominica and about the critical role they are destined to play in our national development, he and his advisors had better listen to the voices of the people and take corrective action now. April 25th