by Curlan Campbell
- MP David suggested dedicated organisation focused on crime prevention
- Stressed importance of delivering services that prevent young people from turning to crime
- Ribbon-cutting ceremony for police headquarters held on Friday, 28 March
Peter David, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Town of St George, urged members of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) to shift their focus from solving crimes to preventing them before they occur.
In a speech to a distinguished audience that included Governor-General Dame Cecile La Grenade, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, government ministers, Acting Commissioner Randy Connaught, diplomats, and former police commissioners, David stressed the importance of the RGPF’s new headquarters location, closer to the community it serves.
David was one of the guest speakers during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, 28 March, for the newly refurbished police headquarters at The Carenage. In recounting his experience as an attorney representing young people in St George’s, David emphasised the deep-seated problems these young people face. He highlighted the necessity for a dedicated organisation focused on crime prevention, noting that addressing these issues early can help prevent youth from turning to crime. “I suggested that we establish a ministry or some entity dedicated to prime crime prevention,” MP David said. “By the time we get to the point of crime solving, it is late for many of these young people.”
While expressing satisfaction with the new facility, David stressed the importance of delivering services that prevent young people from turning to crime, aiming for a future where the police work with the community to build stronger, crime-free environments. “So I’m happy you have this new facility, but I will be happier when this facility delivers to our communities.” David added that the RGPF has a responsibility to “prevent our young people from growing up in circumstances that inevitably lead them to a road of crime.”
Bishop Clyde Harvey expressed similar sentiments as he officiated the blessing of the new facility. He offered a few words of encouragement, saying that the children of Grenada must view the police as trustworthy and caring individuals who will protect them rather than as an agency that administers a heavy-handed approach. Bishop Harvey emphasised that children who pass by the new facility should feel a sense of belonging. “This is the home of the police, and the police love me. The police will take care of me.” He referenced the state of policing in his home country of Trinidad, explaining, “I come from an environment where mothers tell their children to fear the police, saying, ‘They killed your father. You must seek revenge.’ That should never happen in Grenada. Therefore, you have a significant task ahead of you.”
What exactly is crime prevention? PD love when the mass poor and ignorant.
Peter is well aware that the laws are outdated and the police are very limited on what they can do. For example, all many actions in civil disputes must be made criminal? Often times, the police is quick to use their disclaimer ” it’s civil matter and there is nothing they can do”
Uttering is crime and must be treated as such.
TRESPASSING and assault & battery must criminal. Grievous bodily harm must not happen before it’s considered a crime….the police must be equipped to bring cases to the courts in short period of time. Citizen needs confidence of swift justice.