Carib Scope

分类： society

  • Mentally ill man who made gun in 2024 charged with firearm possession again

    Mentally ill man who made gun in 2024 charged with firearm possession again

    A 27-year-old man with documented mental health issues has been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation following his second arrest on firearms-related charges within an 18-month period. Kesroy Williams of Belair, East St George, was taken into custody on Thursday after police allegedly discovered two firearms and three rounds of ammunition in his possession without proper licensing.

    Law enforcement officials reported seizing a prohibited weapon, a modified .32 caliber firearm, and corresponding ammunition during what they described as a coordinated intelligence-led operation. This incident marks the latest development in Williams’ ongoing legal and mental health struggles.

    Williams’ previous encounter with the justice system occurred in July 2024 when he pleaded guilty to possessing a .38 pistol and ammunition. During court proceedings that December, he revealed his unusual craftsmanship—having constructed a functional firearm using scrap metal, an umbrella spring, epoxy, and screws. Despite the ingenuity noted by Senior Magistrate Colin John, who encouraged Williams to channel his talents into legal pursuits, the defendant served four months on remand followed by a seven-month prison sentence with an additional three-month concurrent term for ammunition possession.

    The current charges involve more serious allegations, including possession of a prohibited weapon category that civilians are typically barred from owning under any circumstances. Police emphasized the significance of this seizure in their public statement, noting that “each illegal weapon seized reduces the potential for serious harm within communities.”

    Following his appearance at the Mesopotamia Magistrate Court on Friday, Williams was remanded to the Mental Health Centre for a two-week observational assessment. The case has been adjourned until February 20 and will be transferred to the Serious Offences Court for further proceedings.

    Authorities have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal firearms trafficking and encouraged public vigilance, stating that citizen reports remain crucial to successful operations against weapon-related crimes.

  • Man found unresponsive with apparent gunshot wound

    Man found unresponsive with apparent gunshot wound

    Law enforcement authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are investigating a fatal shooting in the Diamond/Brighton community, marking the nation’s fifth homicide within the first weeks of the year. Police were dispatched following reports of an unresponsive male victim presenting apparent gunshot wounds, though official identification remains pending pending family notifications.

    The incident occurred merely 24 hours after the country recorded its fourth homicide, creating a disturbing pattern of violent deaths. This recent violence follows the fatal shooting of Mesopotamia resident Kevin Richards, locally known as Masicka, who was killed on Friday evening. Richards’ death represented the third homicide recorded within a consecutive three-week period, signaling a concerning escalation in violent crime across the island nation.

    Local communities have expressed growing apprehension as the homicide count rapidly approaches numbers typically recorded over entire calendar years. Law enforcement officials have intensified patrols and investigative efforts while urging community cooperation to address the surge in violence. The consecutive nature of these incidents has prompted discussions about underlying social factors and potential organized crime elements contributing to the spike in deadly altercations.

    Authorities have characterized this as an ongoing investigation with multiple active leads. iWitness News continues to monitor developments and will provide updates as official information becomes available through proper channels. The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force has appealed to the public for any relevant information that might assist their investigations into these connected violent incidents.

  • COE maintains four provinces on green alert due to cold front

    COE maintains four provinces on green alert due to cold front

    The Dominican Republic’s Emergency Operations Center (COE) has escalated its national alert system in response to an advancing cold front affecting multiple regions. Four provinces—Espaillat, María Trinidad Sánchez, Samaná, and Hato Mayor—have been placed under official green alert status due to anticipated hazardous weather conditions.

    According to COE protocols, a green alert signifies that meteorological characteristics predict a potentially dangerous event for the population, whether partial or comprehensive in scope. This precautionary measure comes as the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) forecasts continued scattered showers throughout the day across seventeen provinces, including Puerto Plata, Hermanas Mirabal, Monte Plata, and Greater Santo Domingo.

    Indomet has issued specific warnings to maritime operators, advising fragile and small-to-medium-sized vessels to exercise extreme caution along coastal perimeters. The agency strongly recommends against sea ventures due to prevailing strong winds and abnormal wave patterns. The meteorological institute emphasizes that these conditions pose significant risks to coastal navigation and marine activities.

    The coordinated response between emergency management and meteorological agencies highlights the government’s proactive approach to weather-related threats. The alert system activation enables local authorities to implement preventive measures and mobilize resources in vulnerable areas, potentially mitigating the impact of the ongoing weather phenomenon on communities and economic activities.

  • Start ATC-opleiding voor versterking luchtvaart

    Start ATC-opleiding voor versterking luchtvaart

    Suriname’s Ministry of Transport, Communication, and Tourism (TCT) has inaugurated a specialized Air Traffic Controller (ATC) training program under the Basic Air Traffic Services (BATS) framework, marking a significant advancement in the nation’s aviation infrastructure. The initiative, launched on Friday, represents a strategic investment in enhancing safety protocols, operational continuity, and professional excellence within both domestic and international air transport systems.

    Thirteen candidates with prior practical experience in aviation operations have been selected for this comprehensive training curriculum. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority Suriname (CASAS) will oversee the entire program and conduct final assessments to certify participants’ mastery of essential knowledge and technical competencies. Successful graduates will qualify as Tower Controllers, with clear pathways for career progression to full Air Traffic Controller roles.

    Transport Minister Raymond Landveld emphasized during the opening ceremony that human capital development is fundamental to building a resilient and secure aviation industry. He noted that effective air traffic management is critical for supporting key economic sectors—including tourism, oil and gas, medical evacuations, and international connectivity—while also strengthening global confidence in Suriname’s airspace integrity.

    Concurrently, the ministry is advancing training for Aeronautical Information Services personnel, aligning with stringent International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. These efforts collectively aim to bolster the international reputation and operational credibility of Suriname’s aviation sector, reinforcing its commitment to world-class safety and efficiency.

  • “I Just Saw Him Yesterday”: Family Grieves “Sparrow” After Dangriga Shooting

    “I Just Saw Him Yesterday”: Family Grieves “Sparrow” After Dangriga Shooting

    The coastal community of Dangriga is grappling with the tragic loss of a cherished resident following a fatal shooting incident on Friday evening. Bernaldo Gorosica, affectionately known throughout the town as ‘Sparrow,’ was killed in the Riverside area, sending shockwaves through this tight-knit Belizean community.

    Gorosica, remembered as a perpetually cheerful fisherman from the Salty Dog neighborhood, was described by those who knew him as a beacon of positivity. His cousin, who spoke with local media through tears, painted a portrait of a man whose infectious smile and vibrant personality touched everyone he encountered. ‘He was a cool person, always happy, full of vibes, always had a big smile on his face,’ she recounted emotionally.

    The victim’s sudden and violent death has left his family, including his two sons, devastated. The emotional impact is particularly profound given that many relatives had interacted with Gorosica mere hours before the tragedy. His cousin revealed the heartbreaking detail that she had exchanged greetings with him just one day prior to the shooting, making the loss even more difficult to process.

    Local law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. While police continue to pursue leads and evidence, the community focuses on mourning a man whose presence defined the character of his neighborhood. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the area, though official details regarding potential suspects or motives remain undisclosed as the investigation progresses.

  • Social Security director urges self-employed individuals to register with the department

    Social Security director urges self-employed individuals to register with the department

    The Director of the Dominica Social Security (DSS), Janice Jean-Jacques Thomas, has issued a compelling appeal to the nation’s self-employed workforce, urging immediate registration with the national social security system to secure future welfare benefits. Emphasizing the critical need for personal financial planning, Thomas highlighted a concerning trend where individuals neglect to make provisions for their later years yet expect support upon reaching retirement age or becoming unable to work.

    Thomas articulated the core principle of the social security system as a mechanism for ensuring personal independence through compulsory savings. “By making the modest sacrifice of regular contributions during your productive years, you guarantee financial compensation from DSS when your earning capacity diminishes,” she stated, framing the system as a foundational pillar for retirement security rather than an optional expense.

    In parallel, the DSS Director issued a crucial advisory to all salaried employees, encouraging them to proactively verify their contribution status. Thomas clarified that observing a social security deduction on one’s payslip does not automatically confirm the remittance of those funds to the DSS. She strongly recommended that employees periodically visit DSS offices to conduct official checks, ensuring their employers are fully compliant with contribution payments on their behalf.

    This dual-focus outreach underscores a broader governmental effort to strengthen the social safety net by expanding coverage and enforcing compliance, thereby safeguarding citizens against financial insecurity in old age or incapacity.

  • Adoption bottleneck

    Adoption bottleneck

    A stark disconnect exists within Jamaica’s child welfare system where approximately 4,500 state wards await permanent homes while over 150 approved adoptive parents remain waiting, with fewer than 20 adoptions finalized annually. This alarming discrepancy emerges from a comprehensive study by the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CaPRI) titled ‘Home Advantage: Reforming Jamaica’s Adoption System,’ which identifies systemic institutional failures rather than cultural resistance as the primary barrier.

    The research, spearheaded by Saramaria Virri, reveals that newborns typically wait two years for placement while older children face even longer delays—often spending their entire childhood in residential care despite clear evidence supporting early permanency. The study dismantles the common assertion that these children are legally unavailable for adoption, demonstrating through Adoption Board cases that many wards meet adoption criteria yet never progress to that stage.

    CaPRI’s analysis pinpointed a deeply entrenched institutional philosophy prioritizing prolonged family reunification efforts—even when unrealistic or potentially unsafe—over timely adoptive placement. This process-oriented approach systematically subordinates children’s developmental needs to bureaucratic considerations, resulting in eroded cognitive, emotional, and social capacities that critically impact future educational achievement and social integration.

    Compounding these issues is Jamaica’s outdated Adoption Act, modeled on the UK’s 1958 legislation but never updated despite three subsequent revisions in Britain. A 2013 review yielded no legislative changes, creating operational contradictions where the legally empowered Adoption Board lacks budget, staff, and offices while the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) handles practical administration without corresponding legal authority.

    Recommendations include urgent legislative modernization, increased staffing to achieve international casework ratios of 25-30 per social worker, digitized case management systems, and dedicated permanency tracking functions. Education Minister Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon recently acknowledged the need for framework improvements, signaling potential political willingness to address what CaPRI identifies as primarily administrative rather than legal barriers to giving children permanent homes.

  • Sanmerna Foundation donates J$700,000 in cricket gear to St Jago High

    Sanmerna Foundation donates J$700,000 in cricket gear to St Jago High

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a significant boost for youth sports development, the Sanmerna Foundation has contributed cricket equipment valued at approximately J$700,000 to St Jago High School’s athletic program. This substantial donation comprises vital training and competitive gear designed to elevate the school’s cricket initiatives to new heights.

    The contribution arrives as a strategic investment in the foundational resources required for nurturing athletic excellence. School administrators have enthusiastically endorsed the donation, emphasizing that high-quality sporting apparatus is instrumental in shaping athlete competence, self-assurance, and holistic growth. The provision of professional-grade equipment is anticipated to bridge resource gaps, allowing aspiring cricketers to train under improved conditions and realize their potential.

    According to the Sanmerna Foundation, this effort is a component of its broader objective to enable Jamaican youth through targeted investments in educational, athletic, and communal projects. The organization is dedicated to strengthening grassroots and scholastic sports frameworks, framing athletics as a medium for instilling discipline, fostering collaboration, and cultivating achievement beyond the sporting arena. Such programs are integral to building resilient, well-rounded individuals prepared for future challenges.

  • Chasing sunshine and freedom

    Chasing sunshine and freedom

    At the age of 72, Errol McCarthy has finally realized his lifelong aspiration of returning to his Jamaican homeland after spending six decades in England. His journey began at just 12 years old when he left Jamaica’s rural Trelawny parish with his sister for Birmingham, initiated by his mother’s petition for their relocation in 1965.

    The transition from Jamaica’s warm, sun-drenched landscapes to England’s industrial chill proved profoundly challenging for McCarthy. He recalls experiencing significant culture shock, mourning the loss of carefree childhood activities like swimming in rivers, playing ball, and freely enjoying tropical fruits. “Everything in England you have to pay for,” McCarthy reflected during an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “You go to the park—there’s no free fruit, no apples, no beer, no nothing.”

    Despite the initial difficulties with England’s cold, foggy environment and industrial pollution, McCarthy adapted through determination. He progressed through factory and hospital work before qualifying as a home care organizer in social services, eventually specializing in elderly residential care. It was in England that he met his Jamaican wife, with whom he shared the dream of eventual retirement in their homeland.

    The couple strategically planned their return for years, purchasing property in St. Elizabeth and constructing a home. They finalized their move in September 2025, though their homecoming coincided with catastrophic Hurricane Melissa just one month later. The Category 5 storm devastated western Jamaica, testing their resilience immediately upon return.

    McCarthy described the hurricane experience as terrifyingly different from watching disaster coverage abroad. Despite hours spent battling water intrusion and nearly four months without electricity or internet, the couple demonstrated remarkable community spirit by sharing their stored supplies with affected neighbors.

    Now settled, McCarthy expresses absolute contentment with his decision, emphasizing the cultural connection, culinary pleasures, and social freedoms he’s rediscovered. “If I don’t have to go back for any reason, I don’t want to go back,” he stated with evident joy, acknowledging the rarity of successfully executing such long-term retirement plans among diaspora Jamaicans.

  • Manchester investigators delivering ‘airtight cases’ says divisional commander

    Manchester investigators delivering ‘airtight cases’ says divisional commander

    MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Superintendent Carey Duncan, Commanding Officer of the Manchester Division, has publicly commended detectives for their exceptional investigative work, which is yielding remarkably high conviction rates in local courts. In an official statement released through the Constabulary Communications Network (CCN), Duncan attributed this success to the division’s sophisticated intelligence apparatus and operational capabilities that enable precise identification, apprehension, and charging of criminal suspects.

    Duncan emphasized the division’s capacity to construct legally robust cases, stating: ‘We possess the capability to build airtight cases that we know will secure convictions when presented before the court.’ The divisional commander revealed significant judicial outcomes since the beginning of the current court circuit, with 11 individuals convicted—including three murder convictions resulting in prison sentences ranging from 15 to 35 years. Numerous convictions for other criminal offenses across the division have also been secured.

    While acknowledging Manchester’s overall safety, particularly in Mandeville and central areas where no murders were recorded through January of the previous year, Duncan addressed recent violent incidents in peripheral areas. Investigative efforts have already produced one arrest, with authorities anticipating formal charges. Police are additionally seeking voluntary cooperation from another person of interest to advance their investigations.

    Duncan issued a stern warning against perceptions of impunity for violent crime in Manchester, asserting that the division’s high-quality investigative processes consistently lead to arrests and convictions. He specifically cautioned suspects against violent confrontations with officers, emphasizing that peaceful surrender ensures their right to judicial proceedings: ‘It is in your interest to surrender peacefully. We want you to live to have your day in court.’

    The superintendent expressed confidence that the demonstrated successes would be surpassed in 2026, reflecting the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s broader commitment to intelligence-led policing, thorough case preparation, and securing justice through the judicial system.