{"id":110099,"date":"2020-05-05T17:13:36","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T21:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=110099"},"modified":"2020-05-05T17:13:36","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T21:13:36","slug":"commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: Rising Anxieties \u2013 Growing Fears"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By RAWLSTON POMPEY<\/p>

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\nConsequent upon <\/span><\/span>the arrival<\/span><\/span> to these shores<\/span><\/span> of the \u2018Dangerous Infectious Disease-<\/span><\/span> Covid-19<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019 amidst the<\/span><\/span> restrictions,<\/span><\/span>inconvenience<\/span><\/span>, social and financial<\/span><\/span> hardship ha<\/span><\/span>ve<\/span><\/span> been the \u2018daily<\/span><\/span> rhetoric, <\/span><\/span>lengthy queues, chaotic scenes, boisterous<\/span><\/span> noises and confusing comments.\u2019 <\/span><\/span>M<\/span><\/span>ore troubling to the citizenry<\/span><\/span> and more<\/span><\/span> particularly<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> residents in some of the more financially-depressed communities have been the daily horror stories of their experiences with a small minority of members of the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Security Forces.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Consequent upon their behavior, personnel are seemingly now positioned to make their agencies the most feared <\/span><\/span>\u2018Non-Virus Disease,\u2019<\/span><\/span> afflicting the populace,<\/span><\/span> second only to the deadly \u2018Coronavirus.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

PERSPECTIVE<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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This commentary looks carefully at an incident involving (a) \u2018…an alleged Curfew violator and a Fire Brigade officer; (b) …Non-exercise of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Emergency Powers<\/span><\/span> that allows for detention<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> as contained in the Constitution [CO: 1981: Sections 16 & 17]; (c) …Generally, the questionable behavior of the Security Forces; and (d) …Criminalization of the citizenry.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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HORRENDOUS STORIES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

While the functions of the \u2018Security Forces\u2019 were not necessarily specific to <\/span><\/span>\u2018National Security,\u2019<\/span><\/span> issues, it was of paramount importance that members\u2019 ensured that citizens were compliant with <\/span><\/span>\u2018Health Regulations<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> Since the commencement <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span>\u2018State of Public Emergency\u2019 <\/span><\/span>and the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Dusk to <\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span>awn <\/span><\/span>c<\/span><\/span>urfew,\u2019 for <\/span><\/span>the citizenry<\/span><\/span>, life has<\/span><\/span> not been the same<\/span><\/span>. Though the restrictive<\/span><\/span>measures implemented are not associated with a <\/span><\/span>\u2018coup-de-tat\u2019<\/span><\/span>or public disorder,<\/span><\/span> stories emanating from enforced regulations have been said to be most frightening. There have been reports of atrocities that have been perpetrated against members of the lower strata of society. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

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PUBLIC APOLOGY<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The citizens have not only spoken of the \u2018…hostile attitude and aggressive behavior,\u2019 but also of verbal and physical abuses\u2019 by some members of the \u2018Security Forces.\u2019 One such report had impelled Attorney General and Police Minister, Steadroy \u2018Cutie\u2019 Benjamin to offer through the electronic media a <\/span><\/span>\u2018Public Apology\u2019<\/span><\/span> to an unidentified female motorist\u2019 [Pointe FM]. \u00a0Even as the citizenry, for the most part, have<\/span><\/span> chosen to <\/span><\/span>re<\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>in<\/span><\/span> within the confines of <\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span> \u2018respective <\/span><\/span>place<\/span><\/span>s-<\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span>-abode<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019 most now seemed to have been affected by an overriding sense of fear. Such fear is that of the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Excesses\u2019<\/span><\/span> by a few members of the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Security Forces.\u2019<\/span><\/span> \u00a0These include, <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> …The Military; <\/span><\/span>(ii)<\/span><\/span>…Police; <\/span><\/span>(iii)<\/span><\/span> …ONDCP; and <\/span><\/span>(iv)<\/span><\/span> …Immigration personnel.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>

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THREAT \u2013 HEALTH <\/span><\/span>WELLNESS\/<\/span><\/span>LIFE<\/span><\/span><\/p>

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None may deny that t<\/span><\/span>he <\/span><\/span>\u2018T<\/span><\/span>hreat<\/span><\/span> to Health and Life,\u2019<\/span><\/span> of th<\/span><\/span>e deadly<\/span><\/span> virus <\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span>ecessitated<\/span><\/span> the implementation of certain preventive measures. These include<\/span><\/span> \u2018<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>estrictions on freedom of movement<\/span><\/span> by the citizens, assembly and socialization<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> The primary objectives being; (i) …Protecting the national health; and (ii) …Lessening the high rate of mortalility as seen in many nations within the global community.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Governmental and Medical authorities\u2019 have taken measures considered appropriate for; (a) \u2018…Prevention; (b) …containment; and (c) …controlling its spread.\u2019 Thu<\/span><\/span>s,<\/span><\/span> through the proclamation of; <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> \u2018…a State of Public Emergency; and <\/span><\/span>(ii)<\/span><\/span> …<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>mposition of nation-wide Curfew<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> t<\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span> restrict<\/span><\/span>ive regulat<\/span><\/span>ions took immediate<\/span><\/span> effect [March 26, 2020]. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

GLOBAL HEALTH \u2013 GLOBAL POPULATIONS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This <\/span><\/span>ha<\/span><\/span>s not only<\/span><\/span> been<\/span><\/span> a virus that has threatened <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>G<\/span><\/span>lobal <\/span><\/span>H<\/span><\/span>ealth,\u2019<\/span><\/span> but also one<\/span><\/span> of which<\/span><\/span> that <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>G<\/span><\/span>lobal <\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>opulations\u2019<\/span><\/span> have become most fearful<\/span><\/span>. There have been<\/span><\/span> three <\/span><\/span>terrifying<\/span><\/span> reasons; <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> …Its incurability; <\/span><\/span>(ii)<\/span><\/span> …its lethality; and <\/span><\/span>(iii)<\/span><\/span> …Its high rate of mortality.\u2019<\/span><\/span> As global leaders <\/span><\/span>could now be seen <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> taking queue from the \u2018Gaston Browne-led administration,\u2019 <\/span><\/span>prudently <\/span><\/span>acting upon the <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>advice of medical professionals<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>\u2018ministerial <\/span><\/span>suggestions<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> of Health Minister Molwyn Joseph, \u2018State agencies\u2019 were said to be showing contempt to the plight of the depressed and despairing citizens. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

ESSENTIALITIES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Conscious that the citizenry would be in dire need of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Essentialities,\u2019<\/span><\/span> such as, (a) …food; (b) …pharmaceuticals; \u00a0and (c) …Medicare,\u2019 the governing authorities have provided firstly a; <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>…<\/span><\/span>five-hour period of time <\/span><\/span>from<\/span><\/span> \u2018<\/span><\/span>7am to 12<\/span><\/span>p<\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>\u2019 for such purposes. When the virus showed no rapid spread across the nation and no increase rate in mortality, the policy-makers revisited the previous period. Thus, the time for acquisition of basic necessities was further extended<\/span><\/span> \u2018from \u20186am to 6pm.\u2019 <\/span><\/span>Ex<\/span><\/span>ten<\/span><\/span>sion of the<\/span><\/span> time allowed the citizenry to access some goods and services, as well as for some businesses to conduct commercial activities.<\/span><\/span> I<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span> also<\/span><\/span> allows for the monotonous restrictions to \u2018…porch; …gallery; and yard space\u2019 to be lifted and<\/span><\/span> open-air<\/span><\/span> exercises to be done. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B<\/span><\/span>R<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>NG<\/span><\/span>ING <\/span><\/span>H<\/span><\/span>E<\/span><\/span>LL INTO HOMES<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Some security personnel appeared to have a different view and different approach to the way the \u2018Eustace \u2018Tiko\u2019 Lake-led CBH Board\u2019 may have seen the \u2018Curfew Regulations.\u2019 <\/span><\/span>Now, a<\/span><\/span>s \u2018curfewed residents<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> including some \u2018stiff-necked ones,<\/span><\/span> have b<\/span><\/span>ee<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span> endeavoring to bring <\/span><\/span>\u2018Heaven\u2019<\/span><\/span> to the<\/span><\/span>ir<\/span><\/span> lawfully <\/span><\/span>allotted residential spaces<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> members of the \u2018<\/span><\/span>Security Forces\u2019<\/span><\/span> were to be seen as seeking to bring <\/span><\/span>\u2018Hell\u2019<\/span><\/span> into their homes. \u2018In<\/span><\/span> their daily lives, there have been \u2018<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>ising <\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>nxieties<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>deepening stress, as there have been <\/span><\/span>g<\/span><\/span>rowing <\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span>ears\u2019<\/span><\/span> over the behavior of some<\/span><\/span> of their<\/span><\/span> members. A case on point <\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>y have been<\/span><\/span> the apparent <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>reckless, senseless and brutal assault<\/span><\/span>,\u2019<\/span><\/span> allegedly inflicted upon an innocent victim peacefully relaxing at his apartment. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

MINISTERIAL ATTESTATIONS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Incidentally, a person who may give attestations to the \u2018uncouth and impolite manner and aggressive behavior\u2019 of a few members of the \u2018Security Forces,\u2019 would have been <\/span><\/span>\u2018Member of Parliament and Minister of Foreign Affairs, E. Paul \u2018Chet\u2019 Greene.\u2019<\/span><\/span> As he hurriedly made his way home just into the \u2018Curfew\u2019 hour, he was reportedly pursued by \u2018an unmar<\/span><\/span>ked and unidentified motor vehicle.\u2019 He responded to a \u2018flicking headlamp\u2019 at the rear by stopping. Then he was reportedly accosted by three hostile officers who gruffly asked, <\/span><\/span>\u2018…Way you doing on the road?<\/span><\/span> Tauntingly, if not snidely, he responded, <\/span><\/span>\u2018…Way you doing on the road?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

VOICE <\/span><\/span>RECOGNITIO<\/span><\/span>N<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

R<\/span><\/span>ecogniz<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span> his <\/span><\/span>\u2018Voice and Ministerial Status<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> as to have immediately evoked their senses to awareness<\/span><\/span>, the \u2018grumpy\u2019 officers drove away<\/span><\/span>. This<\/span><\/span> encounter<\/span><\/span> speaks to two possibilities; <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> …Lack of knowledge of exemptions in the <\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>egulations<\/span><\/span> for Parliamentarians<\/span><\/span>; and <\/span><\/span>(ii)<\/span><\/span> …Gross lack of local knowledge of the person they had<\/span><\/span> apparently \u2018officiously\u2019<\/span><\/span> challenged. The Regulations specifically states, \u2018…The Curfew period shall not apply to the members of Parliament\u2019 [SI: No 27 of 2020: Section 8 (r)].<\/span><\/span> Conversing with <\/span><\/span>\u2018Foreign Affairs Minister<\/span><\/span> E. P. Chet Greene<\/span><\/span>,\u2019<\/span><\/span> he indicated that he has heard of many such stories, and just wanted to observe for himself what other citizens have been complaining about.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Instructively, if not ironically, the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Department of Immigration\u2019<\/span><\/span> for which he has ministerial responsibility, is also part of the \u2018Security Forces <\/span><\/span>Curfew Mobile Patrol<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> Research has revealed <\/span><\/span>a disturbing trend among<\/span><\/span> these forces. This could have \u2018Serious Implications\u2019 for the \u2018Security Forces,\u2019 as may have been seen with the troubling case of the reported <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span>…Detention of Falmouth resident <\/span><\/span>Bruce Greenaway;<\/span><\/span> (ii)<\/span><\/span>…Disappearance; and <\/span><\/span>(iii)<\/span><\/span> …Subsequent discovery of his lifeless body at Indian Creek\u2019 [April 9, 2020]. The most important question, however, in brining closure to the reported \u2018suspicious incident\u2019 is the investigative task of the high command of the Police Service and its Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is; <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>…<\/span><\/span>Who kidnapped and killed Bruce Greenaway?<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

RUFFIAN <\/span><\/span>TAC<\/span><\/span>TICS<\/span><\/span> \u2013 ROGUISH BEHAVIOR<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

An apparent developing trend, if left unchecked, could very well be likened to that which a particular marine animal has often been blamed for attacks on humans veering too far off into their natural habitat. Invariably, the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Shark\u2019<\/span><\/span> is blamed for most such attacks. This is seemingly due to its \u2018vicious instinct.\u2019 It was revealed that even when a member of the \u2018Curfew patrol detail\u2019 attired in an identifiable uniform <\/span><\/span>\u2018ONDCP,\u2019<\/span><\/span> officers were presenting themselves as <\/span><\/span>\u2018Police officers.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Naturally, when some ugly incidents were reported, the police, known for their <\/span><\/span>\u2018R<\/span><\/span>uffian <\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>actics and <\/span><\/span>R<\/span><\/span>oguish <\/span><\/span>B<\/span><\/span>ehavior,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> were often apportioned innocent blame. That invariably happens to <\/span><\/span>\u2018Sharks\u2019<\/span><\/span> as well.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

EMERGENCY<\/span><\/span> PO<\/span><\/span>W<\/span><\/span>E<\/span><\/span>RS<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly not exercising <\/span><\/span>\u2018Emergency Powers,\u2019<\/span><\/span> as allowed in these extraordinary situations and provided for when the \u2018State of Public Emergency\u2019 has been proclaimed and a \u2018Dusk to Dawn Curfew imposed\u2019 [CO: No. 1106 of 1981: Sections 20 & 17], members of the \u2018Security Forces\u2019 have been performing the role of <\/span><\/span>\u2018CBH Board\u2019s Police\u2019<\/span><\/span> [Statutory Instruments: Nos. 16 & 27 of 2020: <\/span><\/span>Section 5 (1) \u00a0(c) (7)],<\/span><\/span> regulations previously made by \u2018Health Minister Molwyn Joseph\u2019 [ March 20, 2020]. Even as the \u2018Statutory Instruments\u2019 provide \u2018…no powers of arrest,\u2019 Curfew violators are still being; (a) …Pursued, arrested, charged with, and prosecuted for offences allegedly committed under the <\/span><\/span>\u2018Principal Regulations\u2019<\/span><\/span> previously and wrongly or ill-advisedly made by the \u2018Health Minister.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

ENACTMENT BY PARLIAMENT<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Most citizens know that power resides only with \u2018elected Parliamentarians\u2019 to; <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> …Table Bills; <\/span><\/span>(ii) …<\/span><\/span>Debate and pass Bills; and <\/span><\/span>(iii)<\/span><\/span> …Cause the Bills to be given Assent that they may become <\/span><\/span>\u2018Statute Law.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Apart from \u2018Common Law,\u2019 most law enforces know that it is within such legislative framework <\/span><\/span>\u2018Powers of Arrest\u2019<\/span><\/span> are provided to law enforcement officers. Moreover, the Constitution speaks specifically to <\/span><\/span>\u2018…the authority of a law<\/span><\/span> \u2018ENACTED\u2019 <\/span><\/span>by Parliament\u2019 [CO: 1981: Section 16].<\/span><\/span> Nowhere in this particular Section, does it refer to <\/span><\/span>\u2018Statutory Instruments<\/span><\/span>\u2019 <\/span><\/span>or Regulations made by <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>Statutory Boards\u2019<\/span><\/span> as t<\/span><\/span>hey<\/span><\/span> affect \u2018…public emergency of measures that are reasonable and justifiable for dealing with the situation that exists in Antigua and Barbuda, during that period\u2019 [Section 16].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

REPEALED AND REPLACED<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is instructive to note that only \u2018Section 5A of the Principal Regulations\u2019 that has been \u2018repealed and replaced\u2019 [Section 3: SI. No: 27 of 2020]. Yet not infrequently, people have been arrested and charged under<\/span><\/span> \u2018Section 5 (1) (c) & 7,\u2019 the very regulations improperly made by Health Minister Molwyn Joseph [SI: No. 16 of 2020:]. Now, if power resides with a \u2018Body Corporate\u2019 [PHA: Chapter 353: CBH: Section 5 (1)], to make regulations that clothed the police with \u2018Powers of Arrest,\u2019 then there may be no need for members of the Legislature to attend \u2018Parliament, or need for the \u2018Police Act\u2019 that provides powers to police officers acting in the executing of duty\u2019 [Chapter 330: Sections 22 & 23]. In these provisions, there are no references to either <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> …The Military and ONDCP, or the …Immigration and Customs Departments.\u2019 Jointly, however, these agencies must work together, particularly in times of crisis, as currently obtains. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

RE<\/span><\/span>CKLESSNESS<\/span><\/span> AND <\/span><\/span>STUPI<\/span><\/span>D<\/span><\/span>I<\/span><\/span>T<\/span><\/span>Y<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Given the events surrounding the alleged merciless battering of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Jonathan Joseph 26<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> it<\/span><\/span> has shown clear manifestations of <\/span><\/span>\u2018…cruel and inhuman treatment\u2019 <\/span><\/span>[CO: 1981: Section 7]. P<\/span><\/span>ut <\/span><\/span>an ignorant man <\/span><\/span>to do something,<\/span><\/span> and then<\/span><\/span> see what the end result<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> may<\/span><\/span> be.<\/span><\/span> It is at this juncture that most people<\/span><\/span> often<\/span><\/span> come to the realization that <\/span><\/span>\u2018Ignorance\u2019<\/span><\/span> is more costly than <\/span><\/span>\u2018Education.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Apply<\/span><\/span> these concepts<\/span><\/span> to <\/span><\/span>\u2018Fire Brigade officer,\u2019<\/span><\/span>\u2018Fire Brigade Corporal Cave Baptiste, <\/span><\/span>it may not be very difficult to discern what<\/span><\/span> may<\/span><\/span> h<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>ve happened<\/span><\/span>. In h<\/span><\/span>is<\/span><\/span> case<\/span><\/span>, for inexplicit reasons<\/span><\/span>, the<\/span><\/span> untrained law enforcement officer \u2018self-elected\u2019<\/span><\/span> to perform the duty of a <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>professionally-trained police officer.\u2019 Th<\/span><\/span>en, <\/span><\/span>without; (a) …proper<\/span><\/span> instructional<\/span><\/span> briefing; (b) …professional guidance; and (c) …supervision<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> he proceeded on an almost fateful mission.<\/span><\/span> T<\/span><\/span>he destructive elements of <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>ecklessness and <\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>tupidity\u2019<\/span><\/span> would be difficult to ignore. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

PROTECTION OF LAW<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is to be understood<\/span><\/span> that persons detained<\/span><\/span> by a law enforcement agency,<\/span><\/span> have the <\/span><\/span>\u2018…<\/span><\/span>P<\/span><\/span>rotection <\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span> L<\/span><\/span>aw<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> as enshrined in the national Constitution [CO: 1981: Section 17]<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> and <\/span><\/span>moreover, by the person so<\/span><\/span> detain<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Such<\/span><\/span> protection<\/span><\/span> was <\/span><\/span>also<\/span><\/span>guaranteed to <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>Falmouth resident Bruce<\/span><\/span> Greenaway\u2019<\/span><\/span> who may have been <\/span><\/span>snatched by the darn<\/span><\/span> \u2018<\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span>evil.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Most<\/span><\/span> people<\/span><\/span> may have been rather lucky to have escaped consequences that may have been seen as \u2018appropriate,\u2019 yet some were fortunate to get away for actions that may<\/span><\/span> have been deemed <\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>eckless and <\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>tupid. The<\/span><\/span> Constitution has made it sufficiently clear that u<\/span><\/span>n<\/span><\/span>der<\/span><\/span>a \u2018State of Public Emergency,\u2019 it <\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>s al<\/span><\/span>l<\/span><\/span> about <\/span><\/span>\u2018detention<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> of persons found<\/span><\/span> in breach of specific restrictions<\/span><\/span> emergency regulations<\/span><\/span>.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

JOKING OR SMOKING<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Most people know that there is a thin line<\/span><\/span> between <\/span><\/span>\u2018Bravery and Stupidity.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Not sure if a certain <\/span><\/span>\u2018Fire Brigade officer\u2019<\/span><\/span> may have been <\/span><\/span>\u2018Joking or Smoking<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> but some darn thing went horribly wrong<\/span><\/span> in the incident involving \u2018an unarmed innocent man Jonathan Joseph 26 [March 29, 2020]<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> Those with professional training, knowledge and practical law enforcement experience, know that except for conducting dangerous reconnaissance, under a <\/span><\/span>\u2018State of Public Emergency<\/span><\/span> and Curfew,\u2019 no Police authority has ever deployed a \u2018one-man mobile patrol officer in; <\/span><\/span>(a) …Attired in short pants:<\/span><\/span> (b)<\/span><\/span>…Accompanied by unidentified females; <\/span><\/span>(c)<\/span><\/span> …Issued a collapsible metal baton; <\/span><\/span>(d)<\/span><\/span> …Given briefings to use it forcefully on the head of any citizen breaching or breaking the \u2018CBH Board\u2019s Curfew regulations.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

INCIDENTS OF BRUTALITY<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Likened to several reported and unreported <\/span><\/span>\u2018Incidents of Brutality;<\/span><\/span> …intimidatory tactics and verbal abuse,\u2019 allegedly perpetrated against the citizenry by<\/span><\/span> thes<\/span><\/span>e members,\u2019 a living example of such experience was said to be<\/span><\/span> that of a<\/span><\/span> resident of a densely-populated area called <\/span><\/span>\u2018Spanish Town\u2019<\/span><\/span> just outside the city limits<\/span><\/span>. He<\/span><\/span> was not only reported to have been ordered to vacate his <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>limited<\/span><\/span> but <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>open-air verandah space<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> in the clustered inner-community of <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>St. Johnston Village,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> but also allegedly <\/span><\/span>\u2018Pulverized<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> then<\/span><\/span> \u2018<\/span><\/span>Criminal<\/span><\/span>ized<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> by a member of the <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>Fire Brigade Department<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> [April 29, 2020].<\/span><\/span> The question that might be pondered over is simply this, \u2018…Can a one-man mobile patroller apprehend a \u2018Curfew violator and drive with the apprehended to a Police station?\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

HARROWING ORDEAL<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When <\/span><\/span>the unsuspecting tenant of a populous suburban community of St. Jo<\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>nston Village, called <\/span><\/span>\u2018Spanish Town\u2019<\/span><\/span>opted<\/span><\/span> to <\/span><\/span>be compliant with the \u2018Central Board of Health (CBH) Regulations\u2019 and nation-wide-imposed Curfew,<\/span><\/span> little did he know that he<\/span><\/span> would have experienced a <\/span><\/span>\u2018Harrowing Ordeal.\u2019<\/span><\/span>His apartment, in close proximity of neighbors in their rented apartments and is located a <\/span><\/span>mere <\/span><\/span>\u20186-foot 4 inches\u2019<\/span><\/span> away of the private access road <\/span><\/span>\u2018landlord Ruth Spencer,\u2019 <\/span><\/span>has provided for her tenants. To all intents and purposes, \u2018<\/span><\/span>an off<\/span><\/span>-duty Fire Brigade officer, Corporal Cave Baptiste\u2019 reportedly left the narrow access road<\/span><\/span> to trespass<\/span><\/span> onto <\/span><\/span>\u2018Jonathan Joseph\u2019s<\/span><\/span> limited <\/span><\/span>yard space<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> an <\/span><\/span>allot<\/span><\/span>men<\/span><\/span>t <\/span><\/span>by his \u2018Landlady Ruth Spencer.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

ILLEGALLY-USED METAL BATON<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Conversing with tenancy friends from his \u2018<\/span><\/span>Y<\/span><\/span>ard <\/span><\/span>S<\/span><\/span>pace\u2019 as <\/span><\/span>contain<\/span><\/span>ed in the \u2018Eustace \u2018Tiko\u2019 Lake-led Central Board of Health (CBH)\u2019 Coronavirus Control Regulations,\u2019 he had no inkling that he would have become the victim of a vicious \u2018metal baton attack. He <\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>d not<\/span><\/span> fores<\/span><\/span>een<\/span><\/span> that he would have been spending the night at the \u2018Mount St. John Medical Center (MSJMC) [March 29, 2020]. That still<\/span><\/span> was<\/span><\/span> not all. <\/span><\/span>Th<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span> victim<\/span><\/span>had no idea that he would have been \u2018viciously<\/span><\/span> attacked<\/span><\/span> and brutally beaten with <\/span><\/span>\u2018an <\/span><\/span>i<\/span><\/span>llegal<\/span><\/span>ly-possessed<\/span><\/span> (<\/span><\/span>collapsible<\/span><\/span>)<\/span><\/span> m<\/span><\/span>etal <\/span><\/span>b<\/span><\/span>aton<\/span><\/span>,\u2019 <\/span><\/span>by an untrained person reportedly performing the functions of a police officer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

HORROR <\/span><\/span>AND<\/span><\/span> DISMAY<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Suddenly, <\/span><\/span>\u2018Horror and Dismay\u2019<\/span><\/span> had gripped<\/span><\/span> residents of the pre-dominantly \u2018Spanish-speaking\u2019 community at St. Johnston Village.\u2019 These resulted when the apparent overzealous officer had \u2018Batonerized (new word) and Subdued\u2019 a resident that research has shown was; (a) …Not in a Curfew- restricted area; and (b) …Not yet ready to retire to bed.\u2019 The victim<\/span><\/span> had no idea<\/span><\/span>that he would have been subjected to the wrath of this officer. The residents had witnessed the unfolding events that had provoked their spirit to <\/span><\/span>anger<\/span><\/span> and<\/span><\/span> outrag<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

PASSING STRANGE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They had seen a gaping head injury that <\/span><\/span>surgically required some <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>11 Sutures<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> (stitches)<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>while<\/span><\/span> he was<\/span><\/span> fed intravenously.<\/span><\/span>Blood reportedly<\/span><\/span> flowed<\/span><\/span> profusely,<\/span><\/span> thereby<\/span><\/span> drenching<\/span><\/span> and discoloring<\/span><\/span> his clothes.<\/span><\/span> That which may<\/span><\/span> have<\/span><\/span> be<\/span><\/span>en<\/span><\/span> seen as <\/span><\/span>\u2018P<\/span><\/span>assing <\/span><\/span>S<\/span><\/span>trange,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> was that<\/span><\/span> instead of <\/span><\/span>summoning a<\/span><\/span> \u2018Police vehicle<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> or the ever<\/span><\/span> available \u2018Emergency Medical Service (EMS)\u2019 vehicle, <\/span><\/span>he was placed at the back of a vehicle mysteriously appearing at the scene. Such vehicle was reportedly assigned and driven by \u2018Military personnel.\u2019 He was then rushed him to the \u2018Mount St. John Medical Center (MSJMC).\u2019 <\/span><\/span>He was<\/span><\/span> not as a person afflicted by a \u2018Dangerous Infectious Disease,\u2019 but a patient of <\/span><\/span>the excesses of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Zeal and Insensitivity.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

PEACE FOR THE WICKED: NA-A-AH<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Scripture <\/span><\/span>edifie<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span> every reader, particularly those who might be disposed to perpetrating evil against others. This practice comes with consequences. It warns that;<\/span><\/span> \u2018…There is no \u2018Peace\u2019 for the wicked\u2019<\/span><\/span> [Isaiah 48: 22].<\/span><\/span> It was not clear who may not have had any \u2018Peace\u2019 whatsoever. <\/span><\/span>When Police Press Liaison officer, often miscalled \u2018Public Relations officer,\u2019 informed the media that the defendant Jonathan Joseph had pleaded guilty to the charges<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span> (i) <\/span><\/span>…Breaking Curfew;<\/span><\/span> (ii) <\/span><\/span>…Battery on Police<\/span><\/span>; (iii) <\/span><\/span>…Resisting Arrest; <\/span><\/span>(iv) …Indecent Language; and (v) …the Defendant had been remanded to Her Majesty\u2019s Prison (HMP),<\/span><\/span> know that <\/span><\/span>had<\/span><\/span> he <\/span><\/span>been<\/span><\/span> placed under Oath, he may have been cited for the crime of \u2018Perjury.\u2019 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

REASON TO TELL TRUTH <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This can only be avoided when the \u2018facts are properly martialled\u2019 and the information is verified before communication or dissemination. <\/span><\/span>The simple reason is that such media information would not have been consistent with the \u2018<\/span><\/span>…<\/span><\/span>Truth; …the Whole truth; and Nothing but the truth; …So help me, God.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Moreover, if he had officially communicated such information to Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney, and he was acutely mindful of his responsibilities to communicate \u2018factual and truthful information to the respective Ministers of; (a) …Public Safety (Attorney General Steadroy \u2018Cutie\u2019 Benjamin); and (b) …National Security\u2019 (Prime Minister Gaston Browne),\u2019 know that Inspector Frankie Thomas, with or without the \u2018Help of God,\u2019 would have to \u2018…Tell the truth; and …Nothing but the truth\u2019<\/span><\/span> at all material times. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

INSULTING CITIZENS<\/span><\/span> INTELLIGENCE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Adding i<\/span><\/span>nsult to the intelligence of citizens, seemingly ill-informed or not paying sufficient attention to detail, <\/span><\/span>\u2018Police Press Liaison officer<\/span><\/span> Inspector Frankie Thomas confirmed that the officer was on patrol duty.\u2019 If this was not mindboggling, then what is? The information was; <\/span><\/span>(i)<\/span><\/span> \u2018…The officer was alone; <\/span><\/span>(ii)<\/span><\/span> …Operating under cover of darkness: <\/span><\/span>(iii)<\/span><\/span> …In a community where Angels fear to visit at nights<\/span><\/span>; (iv)<\/span><\/span> …Under a State of Public Emergency; and <\/span><\/span>(v)<\/span><\/span> …Under a dusk to dawn Curfew.\u2019 Even more incredible, was that the officer had done so, when he was not so officially detailed to perform such duty and\/or so supervised. Such information could only be disseminated by \u2018popinjays.\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

FORCE OF BRUTALITY<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the instant case, w<\/span><\/span>hat might reasonably be <\/span><\/span>expected of an adjudicator<\/span><\/span> is to take<\/span><\/span> \u2018Judicial Notice\u2019<\/span><\/span> of the defendant\u2019s<\/span><\/span>condition on his first<\/span><\/span> appearance<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> For instance, when the defendant appeared before <\/span><\/span>\u2018Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh\u2019<\/span><\/span>with a heavily bandaged head, <\/span><\/span>she<\/span><\/span> could not <\/span><\/span>have <\/span><\/span>reasonably inferred <\/span><\/span>that<\/span><\/span> a \u2018wild horse had kicked him on the head. Na-a-ah! She would hav<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span> inferred that<\/span><\/span> was<\/span><\/span> subjected to<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> \u2018<\/span><\/span>Force of <\/span><\/span>Brut<\/span><\/span>ality<\/span><\/span>.\u2019<\/span><\/span> Incidentally,<\/span><\/span> such is not a matter within <\/span><\/span>\u2018Magisterial Jurisdiction<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> but one of constitutionality and one for Justices of the High Court of Justice<\/span><\/span>, where aggrieved persons may seek redress<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

EXTREME VIOLENCE<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It has never been the case where <\/span><\/span>\u2018Magistrates and Judges\u2019<\/span><\/span>appeared publicly or silently outraged over allegations of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Police Brutality<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> However, in extreme cases of such atrocities, adjudicator\u2019s often loathed \u2018unsponsored State violence\u2019 or \u2018extra-judicial punishment,\u2019 that was visited upon the innocent citizens. In the case of \u2018Jonathan Joseph,\u2019 l<\/span><\/span>ogic dictates that<\/span><\/span> if the condition in which the defendant was presented to the Magistrate\u2019s Court speaks to the perpetration of <\/span><\/span>\u2018Extreme Violence,\u2019<\/span><\/span> then it begs the question, \u2018…Why the person so inflicting the injury to the defendant\u2019s head not prosecuted? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Given the<\/span><\/span>se<\/span><\/span> d<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>ve<\/span><\/span>lopme<\/span><\/span>nts, it seems likely that <\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>he<\/span><\/span> \u2018Fire Brigade officer\u2019<\/span><\/span> may encounter<\/span><\/span> grave<\/span><\/span> difficulties convincing the adjudicator that; (i) …The defendant was found outside his residence between <\/span><\/span>\u20186pm and 6am;<\/span><\/span> (ii) …That he had ordered him back to his residence; (iii) …That he had refused to leave the public place; and (iv) …He was in fact <\/span><\/span>\u2018Executing a lawful Duty.\u2019<\/span><\/span> It <\/span><\/span>h<\/span><\/span>as n<\/span><\/span>ever <\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>he duty<\/span><\/span> o<\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span> any<\/span><\/span> defendant to say that he knew the arresting officer <\/span><\/span>w<\/span><\/span>as a police officer, but for the <\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>plainclothes officer<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span> to <\/span><\/span>convince the Court that he had<\/span><\/span>; <\/span><\/span>(a) …Identified himself; (b) …Declare<\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span> his office; and (c) …State<\/span><\/span>d<\/span><\/span> his business<\/span><\/span> to the defendant.<\/span><\/span> In establishing his identity and authority, th<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>e have always been<\/span><\/span> requirement<\/span><\/span>s and professional<\/span><\/span>approach<\/span><\/span> of every plainclothes police officer<\/span><\/span> intervening to execute duties, which only the Court shall make determinations of <\/span><\/span>\u2018lawfulness or unlawfulness of his\/her intervention<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By RAWLSTON POMPEY Consequent upon the arrival to these shores of the \u2018Dangerous Infectious Disease- Covid-19,\u2019 amidst the restrictions,inconvenience, social and financial hardship have been the \u2018daily rhetoric, lengthy queues, chaotic scenes, boisterous noises and confusing comments.\u2019 More troubling to the citizenry and more particularly the residents in some of the more financially-depressed communities have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":103450,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-110099","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nCOMMENTARY: Rising Anxieties \u2013 Growing Fears - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COMMENTARY: Rising Anxieties \u2013 Growing Fears\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By RAWLSTON POMPEY Consequent upon the arrival to these shores of the \u2018Dangerous Infectious Disease- Covid-19,\u2019 amidst the restrictions,inconvenience, social and financial hardship have been the \u2018daily rhetoric, lengthy queues, chaotic scenes, boisterous noises and confusing comments.\u2019 More troubling to the citizenry and more particularly the residents in some of the more financially-depressed communities have […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-05-05T21:13:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/novel-coronavirus-1024x576.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"576\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"16 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"COMMENTARY: Rising Anxieties \u2013 Growing Fears\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-05-05T21:13:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-05-05T21:13:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\"},\"wordCount\":3383,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1024\/h:576\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/novel-coronavirus-1024x576.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-rising-anxieties-growing-fears\/\",\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: Rising Anxieties \u2013 Growing Fears - 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