The phenomenon of ‘baby criminals’ under the PPP/C – urgent action needed

Jul 03, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The case of the $50M kidnapping Plot is another bold indictment on this PPP/C government and its refusal to develop a comprehensive crime fighting strategy. When children, for those are what the accused are, can begin to even conceptualize the execution of heinous crimes such as kidnappings, a nation is in deep crisis.
An examination of the three accused, Carl Krishna Deokaran, 18-year-old Vishnu Ramnarine, and 22-year-old Suzanne Kalimootoo will remind us that these ‘children criminals’ are but products of a reckless, uncaring and incompetent government.
Over the past few years, we have seen Guyanese children accused of some of the most dangerous crimes in our land, and the response of the government seems to suggest that this trend has nothing to do with its mismanagement and incompetence.
In fact, there seems to be a posture on the part of the executive, which suggest that they might be proud when these children are slapped with these serious charges. Their attitude is one which says that the government is absolved from any responsibility, and that the blame rests with how the ‘criminals’ were brought up. It is this attitude that I find very disgusting and simple-minded. The government continuously fails to address the many deep-seated socio-economic issues, and rapid moral decline in our society.
The PPP/C government’s unresponsiveness to these critical issues is a testimony to the spate of youth violence and criminality. One might argue that the PPP/C either does not possess the ability to understand nor do they care about the plight of our children, who are the prime unsuspecting victims of bad governance.
Less than two years ago we witnessed a 17-year old charged for treason, we saw 21-year old Jones reigned in and charged for treason and terrorism, then there was the ‘Cobra’ on a wanted man bulletin. ‘Cobra’ was another teenager accused of holding an entire community at ransom and committing high profile crimes. Then there was ‘Skinny’, another youth slapped with multiple charges of grave criminal acts, and the list of ‘baby criminals’ goes on.
When we read that Kalimootoo, Ramnarine, and Deokaran were plotting to execute, not one kidnapping but several, and planned to target the children of businessmen, it must tell us something about the resolve, fearlessness and boldness of the ‘baby criminals’. Then just a few days ago 72-year-old Clementine Paris was gunned down, execution style, by young men who fearlessly entered her Robb Street home.
The description of the suspects is that they appear to be ‘very young‘, probably teenagers or young adults. The question is what is responsible for this brazen intention, and determination to commit these grave criminal acts? Is it because a conducive environment has been created for criminals to be born? In addition, how do these ‘baby criminals’ reason that the batting pitch is right for them to create havoc on innocent citizens?
Do they get the indications from the fact that perpetrators are hardly caught, the Crime Chief’s unfortunate responses or the Minister of Home Affairs comment, which suggest that the rate of crime in Guyana is acceptable? Where are these smart young people getting their clues from?
Is it the obvious fact that the government lacks the wherewithal to effectively deal with this grave problem, boosting this criminal instinct? May be it’s a combination of a number of factors, some no doubt, peculiar to the perpetrator’s background. I am quite sure that the ‘baby criminals’ understand that there is no master plan/ strategy to effectively address the out-of-control crime and security situation, as such they feel confident that they might not be caught. For the criminal, the whole atmosphere seems enticing, and very promising for them to continue on their rampage, it is time, however, to stop this tide.
It is nonsensical to adopt the Prime Minister’s position, that these youths are just part of the ‘get rich scheme’. Guyanese are capable of more analytical thought that this Mr. Samuel Hinds, it is time we take collective action to rescue our children. What they become has a direct impact on our very lives. We are all in this thing together. Let us work to save the youth. It is time we engage the University of Guyana to conduct research to assist in finding solutions to this problem. All stakeholders must be engaged in discussions to bring solutions to this out-of-control phenomenon of youth violence and crime.
The serious violence occurring in our schools cannot be solved by simply disciplining teacher and student, as the problem is deeper and requires a serious investigation into youth violence.
We need to seek a long term holistic solution. It therefore requires us to conduct empirical research into the issue. For too long we have rebuffed the scientific method of finding solutions to our problems, this particular issue implores us to take that route.
The situation requires a national response, but the government, so far, has been dismissive of the fact that a crisis is upon us. They continue to behave as if the people have grown accustomed to the mayhem and so there is no urgent need to treat the issue as priority.
The fact is our youths are entrapped in a snare of crime; our future as a nation is therefore in jeopardy. The government has failed Guyana’s youth. To say that you conducted skill training for youths, means nothing if there is no avenue created for those skills to be put into meaningful use and to attract valued returns. Skills without being put to work are frustration.
I believe every criminal must be brought to justice but let us not let up on the opportunity to save our children.
Lurlene Nestor

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