Copyright thenassauguardian
Dear Editor, The recent killing of a young man behind Arawak Cay near the container port is a stark reminder of the dangers our youth face daily. The alleged involvement of a young man with a promising future, who worked in a prestigious restaurant, in this senseless act is disturbing. It’s a symptom of a larger issue — the proliferation of crime among young people. Gun violence and other serious offenses are becoming an everyday occurrence. The ease with which guns can be bought or rented is worrisome. But are we addressing the root causes of this problem? Most juvenile delinquents don’t just wake up one day and turn to crime. It’s often a gradual process, fueled by factors like needs, neglect, bullying, and poor role models. The truth. As adults, we’re supposed to be vigilant guardians for our children, but we dropped the ball. We’re ignoring the red flags — untruthfulness, unexplained absences from school, large sums of money with no apparent source of income, and staying out late at night. It’s putting them at risk. We need to wake up and take responsibility. These are our children, and what happens to them is our responsibility. Let’s learn from our mistakes (and we have had many) and take action. We need to be the guardians of our children’s well-being (so what if they get mad?), guiding them, improving our personal behavior, and setting good examples for them to follow. The future of our nation depends on it. Someone said this decade of young people is lost, but I strongly disagree with that notion. Instead, I believe they’re facing challenges and uncertainties, but they’re not lost – they need guidance, support, and opportunities to thrive. Prime Minister, with the election season approaching, be prepared to answer the following question: What specific plans do you have to address and reduce crime in our country effectively? — Anthony Pratt
