标签： Barbados

The Barbados Police Service (BPS) held a highly successful recruitment fair on Saturday at the Police Sports Club in Weymouth, St Michael, to tackle a critical shortage of approximately 250 officers. The event attracted a steady flow of attendees throughout the day, with many arriving early to register and participate in on-the-spot preliminary interviews. Acting Senior Superintendent Stephen Herbert and Public Affairs and Communications Officer Ryan Brathwaite, who spoke at the opening ceremony, emphasized the growing staffing gap caused by retirements, illnesses, and career transitions. Brathwaite highlighted the importance of maintaining adequate numbers to ensure effective service to the nation, stating, ‘This is about building capacity. We have more people leaving the service than entering, so it is crucial to keep our numbers up.’ He also stressed that the fair aimed to showcase the diverse roles within policing, beyond just street-level enforcement. When questioned about a potential link to the recent rise in criminal activity, Brathwaite clarified that the event was part of ongoing efforts to maintain staffing levels rather than a direct response to recent incidents. Acting Sergeant Wendell Foster of the Special Operations Management Services echoed this sentiment, noting that many Barbadians only see a limited aspect of policing. He encouraged attendees to explore the various specialized units, such as forensics, cybercrime, and drone operations, which were showcased through live demonstrations. The fair also aimed to inspire a new generation of officers and help the public appreciate the complexity and high standards of modern policing. Brathwaite urged families to attend with young relatives, emphasizing the role of parents and guardians in career guidance. He added that the event provided an opportunity for individuals who had never considered policing to discover new possibilities.

Hundreds of Barbadians gathered in the streets of Bridgetown on Saturday to show solidarity with Ronnie De Announcer Clarke, a renowned broadcaster and entertainer recently dismissed by Starcom Network. The march, which began at Kensington Mall and concluded at Independence Square, saw participants from diverse backgrounds unite under the theme of artistic freedom and national unity. Clarke’s iconic calypso songs, including the controversial National Carol Festival piece, echoed through the air as demonstrators carried placards with messages like ‘Sing Ronnie, Sing!’ and ‘When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.’ The event highlighted broader concerns about transparency, creative expression, and equitable treatment within the artistic community. Sean ‘Apache’ Carter, President of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes (BACA), expressed disappointment at the low turnout of fellow artists but reaffirmed the association’s unwavering support for Clarke. Carter emphasized that artistic expression is integral to national identity and warned against the suppression of creators, which could jeopardize the entire industry. However, he clarified that the call for artistic freedom does not advocate for unchecked license but rather opposes unjust suppression and victimization. Clarke, addressing the crowd, reflected on his distinguished career and maintained that his dismissal was unrelated to his performance as a broadcaster or calypsonian. He highlighted his unblemished record and recent recognition for outstanding service, countering claims of poor performance. Organizers of the march stressed that the issue transcends Clarke’s individual case, raising critical questions about freedom of speech and fairness in the creative sector. Starcom Network has denied allegations that Clarke’s dismissal was linked to his calypso performance, citing an internal disciplinary process as the basis for their decision.

Authorities have confirmed the identity of the individual who tragically lost their life in a fatal road traffic accident on Four Square Road in St Philip nearly a week ago. The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Rajani Obrien Parris, a resident of Lucas Street in the same parish. According to police reports, the incident occurred at approximately 11:20 p.m. on November 11, when a motor vehicle traveling towards St Patricks collided with a pedestrian. Emergency medical teams arrived promptly at the scene and conducted an initial assessment, but the pedestrian showed no signs of life. A medical doctor later confirmed the fatality at the location. The deceased was officially identified by a family member. Law enforcement is now urging anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward and contact the District ‘C’ Police Station at 416-8200 or 416-8204 to assist with the ongoing investigation.

In a remarkable display of Caribbean solidarity, the Barbados Light & Power Company Ltd (Light & Power) has swiftly responded to the urgent appeal from the Jamaica Power Service Company Ltd (JPS) in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which caused extensive power outages across Jamaica. Leveraging the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Program (CDAP), Light & Power dispatched a proficient five-member team to assist in the restoration of electricity in the affected regions. The crew, led by Distribution Supervisor Eddie Cummings and including linemen Omar Bowen, Mustafa Haqq, Patrice Vache, and Kurt Vidal, embarked on their mission from Barbados on November 12. Over the next three weeks, they will collaborate with local teams to restore power in St James, one of the parishes most severely impacted by the hurricane. At a send-off ceremony, Light & Power’s Managing Director Roger Blackman and Vice President of Operations Johann Greaves lauded the volunteers for their dedication and stressed the importance of safety and adherence to protocols in the challenging conditions they will face. Blackman expressed gratitude on behalf of Light & Power and CARILEC, highlighting the significance of regional cooperation during crises. Greaves echoed these sentiments, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to represent both the company and Barbados with pride. This initiative underscores the critical role of collaborative efforts among CARILEC members, an association of electric utility providers across the Caribbean and the Americas, in addressing natural disasters. By sharing resources and expertise, these organizations aim to expedite recovery, strengthen infrastructure, and deliver essential support when it is most needed.

Jevan Jutagir, founder of Red Advertising & Marketing, and Danielle St-Pierre recently celebrated their union in a picturesque Scottish wedding ceremony at King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen, Scotland. The historic chapel, dating back to 1498 AD, holds special significance for Jutagir, who once served as student union president at the University of Aberdeen. Guests from Barbados, Trinidad, and Canada, the bride’s birthplace, gathered to witness the joyous occasion.

Child rights advocate Dr. Marsha Hinds-Myrie has strongly opposed a proposal by acting Director of Public Prosecutions Alliston Seale SC to penalize parents for their children’s misconduct, arguing that Barbados’ social support system is “completely broken.” Dr. Hinds-Myrie emphasized that policymakers must urgently address the lack of early intervention and assistance for struggling families, rather than resorting to punitive measures. She highlighted that while holding parents accountable may be justified in countries with robust support systems, such as the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom, Barbados lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide adequate help to families in need.

Dr. Hinds-Myrie questioned the feasibility of criminalizing parents when there are no accessible resources or programs to address behavioral issues in children. She pointed out the absence of structured interventions, such as anger management programs or community outreach initiatives, which are critical for supporting families. “If I have a child in Barbados who is eight years old and exhibits problematic behavior, where do I take that child?” she asked. “We do not have any of that in Barbados.”

The advocate also criticized the acting DPP for proposing punitive measures despite being aware of the systemic gaps. She argued that parents cannot be held accountable when the social safety net is riddled with deficiencies. Dr. Hinds-Myrie linked current parenting struggles to historical failures in addressing children’s behavioral needs, recalling her teaching experience at the Parkinson School in the early 2000s. She noted that many of her former students, who had unresolved behavioral issues, are now parents themselves and face challenges in raising their children.

Dr. Hinds-Myrie stressed the need for Barbados to focus on cultivating parenting skills and implementing structured programs to replace outdated practices like corporal punishment. “We do not put a real significant focus on cultivating parenting skills in Barbados,” she said. “This is part of my discomfort with just saying punish the parents.”

Joy Sharon’s life is a testament to the transformative power of education. Growing up in a household marred by domestic violence, she turned her personal struggles into a mission to empower children, particularly those with dyslexia, through literacy. Now an award-winning literacy advocate, Joy is reshaping the educational landscape in Barbados, ensuring every child has the tools to read, write, and thrive.

Amid growing concerns over youth violence, literacy specialist Joy Sharon has highlighted a critical yet overlooked factor: undiagnosed dyslexia. Speaking on Friday, Sharon emphasized the urgent need for research and reform, citing mounting evidence linking low literacy levels to criminal behavior. She warned that the failure to identify and support dyslexic youth is contributing to a troubling rise in youth offending.

Dyslexia, a lifelong language-based learning difficulty, affects reading, writing, and spelling due to challenges in processing language. It is unrelated to intelligence but involves difficulties in identifying speech sounds and their relation to words and letters. Symptoms often emerge when children start school, manifesting as struggles with reading fluency, poor spelling, and difficulty sounding out words.

Sharon pointed to international studies showing that nearly half of prison populations are dyslexic, with some U.S. research indicating that 47% of inmates have the condition. “There’s an over-representation of dyslexia in the prison system,” she noted, stressing that this connection is being ignored in Barbados. She criticized the lack of attention to dyslexia in schools, where children with the condition often go unsupported, leading to severe emotional and academic consequences.

Recent data from Barbados underscores the issue. A government study revealed that 95% of inmates convicted of violent crimes read at the level of a three-year-old. Cheryl Willoughby, director of the Criminal Justice Research and Planning Unit, called for a reevaluation of the educational system to identify and support children with learning challenges early. “We need to have proper monitoring systems within our schools,” she said, advocating for early intervention and the inclusion of social workers to address these issues.

Superintendent of Prisons DeCarlo Payne highlighted a concerning trend of younger offenders entering Dodds Prison, with inmates as young as 15 or 16 committing increasingly violent crimes. In response, Minister of Home Affairs and Information Wilfred Abrahams announced a reform agenda focused on rehabilitation through educational opportunities, extending these programs to prison officers as well.

Sharon urged schools to identify and support students with learning difficulties before they fall behind, emphasizing that early intervention is crucial not only for literacy but also for preventing long-term social consequences. “If you don’t know you have a learning challenge, you think there’s something wrong with you,” she said, stressing the impact on self-esteem and self-worth. Addressing dyslexia, she argued, is key to breaking the cycle of crime and incarceration.