Hurricane-strength winds of change to blow across Grenada

by Dr Neals J Chitan

There are 2 destructive forces threatening to wreak havoc on the region and destroy our people, and Grenada is not immune.

With one named hurricane already playing hopscotch in the Atlantic, the Caribbean is preparing for an above usual busy season with up to 25 predicted storms. However, far beyond the beginning of the 2024 hurricane season, another “Hurricane of the Gun” has been packing its force across the region, and Grenada is responding with counter hurricane-strength winds of social change across the nation.

Experiencing its fair share of gun related incidences and homicides, the government of Grenada has instituted a 3-dimensional approach to tackling this imminent threat to the nation’s well-known peaceful brand, and, as an International Crime Reduction Specialist, I highly compliment them for their counterattack.

With an “Encouragement-Enforcement-Intervention” strategy in place, the Ministry of National Security has launched a 90-day gun amnesty as of 1 May 2024, encouraging and pleading with holders of illegal firearms and ammunition to turn them in anonymously without facing prosecution. However, when encouragement and pleading are exhausted and the deadline of 31 July 2024, has arrived, the grace period will be over; mercy would have run out for those still in possession of these illegal weapons as they face “draconian” enforcement measures. They will regret.

I therefore applaud the social transformation stakeholders for getting integrally involved and adding their voices to the call for peace across the nation. High and noteworthy commendation must be especially given to the Grenada Bar Association for their sterling effort in leading the way with its Grenada Peace Initiative Committee (GPIC), consisting of representation from all levels of civil society. Blitzing the airwaves with slogans and messages calling for a cease fire and surrendering of the guns, this Peace Initiative is playing a significant role which will hopefully end with community mediation and psychosocial treatment of the root causes.

However, I must again commend the government through the Ministry of Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs, for deploying community social intervention through our international flagship crime reduction and community empowerment program “Project STOP ‘n’ THINK© (PSAT)” a powerful series of 12 high impact weekly community social skill sessions. As the copyright holder and Grenadian-born facilitator, I am excited to report that PSAT has made a life-changing impact on millions on 3 continents over the past 25 years, helping them to deal with; anger, revenge, disrespect, failure and the emotional pain and trauma that breed crime and violence, and is ready to do it here at home.

So, look out folks as “Project STOP ‘n’ THINK” rolls into 7 communities simultaneously across Grenada, packing hurricane-strength winds of social change, launching at:

• Telescope — Sunday, 7 July
• River Sallee — Monday, 8 July
• Gouyave — Tuesday, 9 July
• Victoria — Wednesday, 10 July
• Carenage — Thursday, 11 July
• Snug Corner — Friday, 12 July
• Mont Tout — Saturday, 13 July

Look out for more information soon to be released and come out and join the movement for a safer, more successful and peaceful nation!