Dear Source:
Yes, I extend my condolences to the law enforcement community of the Virgin Islands, because once again two members of this community have been arrested and charged with crimes. And what is worse they are not the only ones, they are more to come I understand. When are the leaders and political representatives of this community are going to realize that they are failing this community? They are failing because of their own neglect and lack of vision; because of their poor leadership.
If only the politicians would try to elevate the educational, social and moral standard of this community we would be in a better state. The continuous promoting of mediocrity in government, in the schools, in the community as a whole is not helping this community to develop to its greatest potentials. The failure to promote a moral re-armament whereby our citizens, our residents would know the moral standard that we subscribe to or at least aspire to. Our work ethics leaves much to be desired and it is not only in government but in the private sector as well. If you doubt that observation just ask the many merchants, the business owners who employ others from the community to work in their businesses. We all have experienced the poor service we receive from the public servants whose salaries we contribute to; because of poor attitudes and the lack of proper training and supervision. Who is responsible for correcting these anomalies? The executive or legislative branches of government?
I would say both branches has direct responsibility, I know that politicians like to shift blame and responsibility, in their usual irresponsible way, but the VI code is clear as to the responsibility of both branches of government. The executive branch is responsible for executing the laws and the legislative branch responsible for enacting laws and overseeing the function of the other two branches, the judicial and the executive. But if we were to follow the performances of the legislature in recent times it appears that they are not conscious of their full responsibilities, their emphasis has been on the legislative function and in most instances they overlook their oversight function; over the other two branches of government. When public officials are derelict in the performance of their duties they project a poor example to the rest of the community. The proverbial question may be asked, when we seek to correct this situation: "Which comes first, the chicken or the egg?" Is it the people who should take the initiative or the leaders?
In the type of democracy we subscribe to it is the people who are responsible for their government. We elect our representatives to represent us, when they fail us we can and should replace them. We therefore should take the initiative; it is our right, our duty to maintain control of our own government. We should demand better performance from our public servants, both those elected and those appointed. When representatives remain unresponsive to the demands of the people they then should be removed from office. But if and when the people fails to exercise their responsibility, their right to control their government then democracy is at risk. When elected representatives allow public services to deteriorate to unacceptable levels it is time to act. When law enforcement deteriorates to the level that it is presently it is time for the people to act.
We are very concern when the administration fails to seek out the best persons for cabinet assignments and place individuals in position not because they are considered the most capable but because of political commitments we are in trouble as in effect we are presently. Apparently the administration is not concern in providing the best public servants for this community, apparently they believe we do not deserve better. Many jurisdictions under the American flag compete for individuals with known track record to be their police commissioner but the present administration does not appear to want to resolve the myriad of problems that is afflicting our police department and our law enforcement in general. Let us observe the measure of oversight that is being exercised by the current legislature when the executive sends certain nominees for cabinet positions. I again expressed my condolences to the law enforcement community for the betrayal of trust by two more members of this community who were arrested for criminal activities and it is said more arrests to come. Allah God helps us all to have the courage to do what is right for our community, collectively.
J.J. Estemac,
St. Thomas
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