Dear Source:
What is going on in the St. Thomas community? Another homicide!? We are 10 weeks into the New Year and already there are 10 homicides on St. Thomas, 13 Territory wide. If this trend keeps up we are going break all previous murder records in the Virgin Islands and claim our place at the top of the national list.
This senseless violence has got to stop. I understand that the police cannot be on every corner and in every home. This problem is bigger than the police. The community needs to get involved! The community has to say enough is enough and rat (yes, I did say rat) on the people who have illegal guns, and those who are selling the guns on the street. Yes, I know we don't manufacture guns in the Territory, but that is no excuse to pass the buck and not accept personal responsibility to address this problem that is rampant on St. Thomas and destroying our society.
These trigger-happy thugs think every dispute is settled by shooting. If you step on my sneakers or talk to my woman that is enough to get you killed. How can this mindset be changed? Each responsible adult needs to talk to one of the "brothers on the street" and try to reason with them. Look what they are doing to our beautiful Virgin Islands! If you suspect your son has a gun you have an obligation to report it. Are you going to wait until he is involved in a shootout and gets killed, paralyzed or wounded? How will you feel when you know you could have done something about it?
Get involved, talk to a young person on the fringes of society, and pray, because only God can help us!
Elizabeth Sutton
Frederiksted, St. Croix
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