As the Grand Bay Reunion gets underway, Chairman of the Grand Bay Village Council, Llewellyn Richards, is condemning several burglaries in the community which he says appear to be mostly targeted at visitors who have come for the occasion.
Richards made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the event which was held in that community on Friday.
He said that they intend to have a zero tolerance for violence and crime especially during the duration of the event, which is from July 25 – August 4, 2014.
“We are adopting a zero tolerance to violence” he stated. “Over the past couple days we have received reports of some burglaries that I would like to strongly condemn. It looks very, very bad and I say shame on all those responsible.”
The Chairman said that he hopes that the police, with the help of the community, will apprehend those responsible.
“I hope that the police and the community would work together to apprehend those culprits for targeting particularly our visitors. I am very disappointed and I hope that when they are caught, the full force of the law will be placed on them.”
Richards is urging all community members to cooperate to have a successful incident free reunion and to commit themselves to the task of moving the community forward and ensure a brighter future for generations to come. .
“Now is the time to display true patriotism and not ask what the community can do for you, but what you in return can do for your community. Now is the time to demonstrate love for the people, particularly our children for they are special. Love for your community and love for your country,” he noted.
Meanwhile he indicated that the council has launched a Grand bay Emergency/Development Fund (GBEDF), which he said has been in the pipeline for many years.
“It is a new initiative which will enable us to undertake many social, structural, educational and other programs without depending solely on government,” he explained.
He said the Grand Bay Village Council is soliciting contributions of any size from members of the community.
Parliamentary representative for Grand Bay Justina Charles also spoke at the function, pointing to three objectives that she “would want to see accomplished during that period.”
“To unite and reunite families, develop and demonstrate appreciation for our achievements and re-establish links that will harness and improve cohesion in the development of our country, especially with the diaspora,” she said.
Charles also joined in condemning the recent burglaries in the community and urged all to cooperate with the police.
Several young beauties from the community who are participating in the 2014 Grand Bay Reunion pageant, were presented along with a number of past princesses and pageant winners from Grand Bay both in Dominica and in the diaspora, were highlighted.
The event, which is also observing the 40th anniversary of the Geneva Uprising, is being held under the theme “Recognizing our past, embracing our future as one Dominica.”
There will be several activities held daily to mark the event.
This is the second reunion being held in Grand Bay. The first was in 2006.
Grandbay need some “crusades” like Portsmouth
Why would ANYONE go to Lalay with jewelry? Lalay has always been a bad place. Even when I was growing up in the late 70’s, Lalay has always been bad. It just got worse. When you go to Lalay, you NEVER take a thing with you. No offense and Nuff said
If you don’t want crime in Grand Bay buy a big big big Magnet put it on a crane, hoist the Magnet over the village and all the drug man with gold chains, gold teeth and criminals with guns n knives will stick to it! Move the magnet towards the bay dump them in a a garbage ship and send them back to Guadeloupe!
Bad government=poverty, porverty=crime, crime = violence .labour power.
Go dey, Grandbay. We expect great things from you.
All it takes is the actions of a few bad minded people to destroy the good intentions of the majority.
Everything will be alright once jesus is in the center
That’s why it’s not alright…Jesus has been in there way to long. Time to get rid of that downward spiral Matrix manipulation network that keeps the common people stagnant. If Jesus is on control, why all this sh!t still happening…he must not be doing a very good job!
When you die you will see what a good job Our Lord Jesus Christ did and what a bad job you did and those who commit crimes.
When people sway from God, ignore him and lack love, consideration and respect for others, this is what happens.
Those who commit crimes and other immoralities were born innocent. They were, hopefully, disciplined and were brought up in the faith. They chose a different path, the path of evil. This is a result of their actions.
Yes, everything will be order if Jesus is in control and the center of their (our) lives,. The criminals have welcomed Satan, the enemy of God and of our souls in their lives. If they were godly people, they would not steal from their fellow people.
You have renounced God, the Real God, the One and Only True God. We do not expect any better from you.
God will change things in his time. He expects genuine worship and fervent prayers from everyone. They must all do their part. You whom God also created, are no exception.
God is being patient. Believe in God. Faith, hope and trust in God that he also rewards the good and punishes the wicked. This is the consolation.
More security should be needed , police plus !!! Most likely a special opperation to curb this nonsense
I hope those criminals will be caught and justice will be done. It’s a few giving Dominica a bad name. Shame on the culprits who are too lazy to go out there and make a living, but want everything everybody else work for. And please don’t tell me Dominica don’t have work. You can’t get a gardener these days because ‘the sun too hot’
Why do folks let people thing burn them? You want something then get off your lazy behind and work for it. Stop depending on Government and other people to give you hand out.
which is what the gbay village council is undertaking so they don’t depend solely on the gov’t …lets go grand bay lets go
Enjoy your reunion and I wish you all an accident free reunion.
Come on thieves? Catch them and put them away for a long time or whatever the law allows.
Grand bay reunion vole .what a shame targeting the visitors taking there gold there passport and credit card and there money ..please volie let us have a good reunion .and enjoy our selves to the fullest we need to take out some stress…
How sorry I am to read of these burglaries. My heart goes out to those whose items have been stolen. I can imagine their disappointment and grief to have their items stolen.
I know some of them, friends, who are visiting for the Grand Bay reunion. I hope they are OK. I told one of them I should have visited with them. Will hear about it when they return.
God bless you and protect you my friends. Hope to see you soon.
Thieves seem never to consider that those who visit and whom they have stolen from are hardworking people. They make great sacrifices to take a vacation for this reunion and to be with their people.
I hope the culprits are found and appropriately dealt with by the Arms of the Law.
You thieves, heartless people, you should never do this to your fellow people who would be more than willing to assist you if you are in need of. Whatever harm you have done, grief you have caused and hardship you have inflicted, one day it will haunt you and return to you two-fold in the form of punishment from God who rewards the good and punishes the wicked. This and more. Take note!