Drone Diplomacy or Political Showmanship? Concerns Rise Over Aspirant’s ‘Gift’ to Police Amidst Calls for Real Action
There is a story circulating in the media of a highly enthusiastic political aspirant donating a drone to the police force for what is dubbed as a gift to aid in the fight against crime. The picture that accompanied the story displayed a pathetic image of several senior police officers, no less, one of whom seems like he didn’t want to miss the opportunity to touch the device. The childlike gestures was quite amusing, and not to diminish the “gift” if self, but the staged image carries deeper meaning that borders on ethical and moral principles that ought not, should not and cannot be undermined.
The idea of politicians or private citizens gifting police forces can be controversial. On one hand, gifts might be seen as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work and sacrifices made by these officers. On the other hand, however, there is a risk that such gestures could be interpreted as attempts to curry favor or influence, potentially undermining the perception of fairness and neutrality. It creates some potential conflict of interest, forging relations that can perhaps affect how officers carry out their duties, for example, if said politicians themselves are caught with their “pants down.”
In many places, there are rules and regulations designed to prevent any appearance of impropriety or undue influence. For instance, police departments often have policies about accepting gifts to avoid conflicts of interest. Transparency and adherence to ethical guidelines are crucial to maintaining public trust.
A more structured and transparent approach might be to provide support through official channels – like improving funding for training, equipment, or community programs – rather than gifts in one’s private capacity. This can help to ensure that support is equitable, bipartisan, and aligned with broader public interests and not promoting self within a scheme of psychological imprisonment and submissive difference. Has he thought about training and maintenance of the drone?
What about starting community watch groups or community safety programs that empower community members through crime prevention and safety planning initiatives? What about using his influence to advocate for more street lights particularly in vulnerable communities? What about investing in surveillance technologies where closed-circuit television (CCTV)? Cameras can be installed in public places to monitor activities and deter criminal behavior or license plate readers (LPRs) that automatically scan and record license plates to help track stolen vehicles and identify suspects. These are community-based initiatives that are sustainable and without curry-favoring.
Don’t get me wrong, I admire the young chap, Michael Joseph, and have followed him and his humanitarian work even while he was a youth within the reigns of the local Red Cross. However, his unfettered overexuberance and aggressive gifting create some unsettling waves within many who may ask if there is some ulterior motives, apart from his obvious personal advancement, that triggers his actions. I, and others, who live SJRW where he is the caretaker want to hear about policies and proposals that will bring sustainable development to our area that has long been viewed as a ghetto society.
As an independence and educated voter who votes on principle and not for political parties, I want to hear what value his representation will bring to the table, as his current trajectory seem to follow a similar pattern of gifting, handouts and psychological dependency that has scourged our society for generations. In contrast, his opponent, Hon. Richard Lewis has been advocating for a full waiver on the payment of Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on back-to-school items for two consecutive weekends, to ease the financial burden on citizens. This proposal spans socioeconomic and educational benefits, through policy and not the vainglory, excessive or ostentatious pride and unbearable boast on personal achievements. The likes on social media is not what we are looking for. Mr. Joseph is the proposed candidate within the current administration for SJRW. Surely, he has some influence to make things happen.
Where are the sustainable development programmes generally and within Solid Waste over which he is chair? As it stands, this department is poorly run and is a solid failure under his tenure. A glimpse of the gutters, poor garbage collection (in SJRW and island wide) and illegal dumping sites are good examples and a great start at areas that need to be addressed, post haste.
Mr. Michael Joseph, we want to see less of you and more decisive action and policy proposals that bring a sustainable approach towards the development of our constituency and by extension, national development. Your self-aggrandizing mires even the good intentions that you may have. Raise the standards beyond the mediocrity of politricks. It is just too much.
Displeased Voice of your People
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Damned if you do, damned if you dont. We complain that politicians do nothing. Give me action over political rhetoric anyday!
Politicians are abusers of the people when trying to get into office. After all these years it just does not resonate with those who are being used.
I bet the “writer” doesnt have drone or anything to DONATE! ricchard can hide behind you all he wants, Gisele will NEVER accept he or he JAMAICAN WIFE in she upp.
You have to be a real miserable person boy.
Seems like the work of Hon. Richard Lewis. Glad to see that the young chap is keeping him uncomfortable. This is how it should be in all constituencies. People will always be opposed to anything so long as they aren’t the one to do it. My advise to the MP is to work more and talk less good Sir.
One big dutty tinking CHUPZZZZ hey writer if MP Lewis or Simon would have done this would it have been an issue. If the caretaker Ms Potter or Ms Edwards would have made the donation would it have been an issue or would it have been job well done. Further hey writer is that you Richard Lewis or one of you opps.
Those British regalia make these men look so conventional and outdated, and watching them been infantillised, you can see they are from an impoverished back ground with lack of opportunity, they look like an elated child getting toys, am sure these men have no idea what it is, they will take it home for safe keeping, as to the political aspirant, he look happy to drop off the toys his handlers gave him confirming he is a captured aspirant already, and he already took home bis share.
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