‘What is to become of our beloved country?’
The Minister for National Security is talking.
It was good to hear him on one of the talk magazines this week discussing his efforts to improve the capacity of the police to fight crime and that was welcomed.
Also welcomed was his respect for the position of the Acting Police Commissioner who has one of the toughest jobs in the Territory and who needs all the support she can get.
We never congratulated Ms Vanterpool on her ascension to the ‘Top Cop’ position albeit in an Acting capacity. Obviously, she has worked hard over the years of her vocation/profession and is deserving of our consideration and our praise.
She has made spirited calls to the community to join her in the fight against crime and needs our full support.
We were glad to note that the Minister conducts some of his meetings in the Commissioner’s office rather than have her go to him as his rank deserves. That is excellent for, while in her domain, he gets to see and interact with some of the rank and file and, often, “the eye of the master fattens the calf.”
In my dealings with the Ag Commissioner, I have found her to be professional and committed in the discharge of her duties. She is capable and, certainly, responsive.
We see where the Caribbean is heading with crime statistics. Crime is a disservice to this region that is arguably the most beautiful on the planet and has traditionally been the place where everyone who considers themself to be anyone wants to enjoy some rest and relaxation.
But some of us have had to resort to imposing state of emergency measures, others have called for help from outside of their borders and all are seeking to restore their countries/territories to ‘peaceful, law-abiding status.’
The business we are engaged in demands it and we, as citizens and residents, deserve it. It is, in part, why we pay taxes and why we call ourselves civilized.
In the main, the Territory’s export commodity to the world is Tourism; Sun, sea, sand, service, security, smiles.
Of course, we were heartened to read in the UK Daily Telegraph that BVI is numbered in the top three safe places to visit in the Caribbean. While we are pleased, we were also embarrassed that we are not rated the safest.
We were the safest for decades and the Ag. Commissioner and her National Security Minister must ensure that we, once again, occupy our rightful place in the pecking order. But we, too, have our part to play.
Perhaps it is time that we remember Alexandre Dumas and his “The Three Musketeers. “All for one and one for all.”
But in the midst of our concerns about safety and security, politics managed to rear its head, again. Politics, of course, is a bloody sport.
We hate to believe Benjamin Disraeli that “There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour.”
And yet, the self-destructive posture of the reds and blues was ventilated in their press conference this week.
Three of six of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition said they have formed an alliance. At least, the pie is half baked. But they are Honourable and intelligent men and they know that the magic number is seven.
And to get there they must pass through Seven and Eight. Seven is green and Eight did not sit in the press conference as a member of the alliance.
So, if the Alliance is hungering and thirsting, it would have to be in line with the Beatitudes.
And it always seems that when these momentous decisions are being taken that China figures in the equation.
What is to become of the beloved county? Fridays and all who have a vested interest would like to know.
Happy Friday!