St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ top law enforcement official has issued an urgent plea to parents regarding the alarming proliferation of transnational criminal gangs within the nation’s educational institutions. Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor ‘Buju’ Bailey, the country’s chief crime-fighter, revealed that rival factions known as ‘6ixx’ and ‘7even’—originating from Trinidadian super gangs—have established deep roots in secondary schools, recruiting students unaware of the groups’ violent histories.
During an appearance on the New Democratic Party’s ‘New Times’ radio program, Commissioner Bailey characterized the situation as a ‘growing problem’ that remains ‘rampant in our schools.’ He disclosed startling statistics from school administrators, including one principal who reported 20-25% of students failing to return after lunch periods.
The senior law enforcement official emphasized that parental engagement represents the first line of defense. He recommended unexpected school visits and closer monitoring of children’s associations and digital activities. ‘Parents have to know where their children are at all times,’ Bailey stressed, noting that parenting transcends mere provision of basic needs and requires meaningful dialogue to prevent external negative influences.
Bailey shared disturbing anecdotes from his school visits, including one incident where a student openly rolled and smoked marijuana during class. At West St. George Secondary School, he encountered students enthusiastically identifying with gang affiliations while demonstrating complete ignorance about the groups’ origins or benefits. One female student admitted she knew of no advantages to gang membership yet still participated.
These gangs trace their origins to Trinidad’s ‘The Muslims’ and ‘Rasta City’ organizations—highly structured criminal enterprises with international militant connections. The Jamaat al Muslimeen, affiliated with The Muslims, attempted a violent coup in Trinidad in 1990 that resulted in 24 fatalities.
Bailey concluded that addressing this crisis requires collective action beyond law enforcement, involving churches, community groups, and national institutions to eradicate gang influence from educational environments.