As motorists may have observed and experienced daily, personnel gravely ‘Deficient of Discretion,’ appeared to be concerned only with the ‘Letter of Law.’ These have often been the ones seen as hostile, uncouth, insensitive and egregiously stupid. Such behavior was known to have inflicted serious damage to the trust of the motoring public, and by extension, the populace. Clearly, these personnel, appeared not to have known or appreciated that a well-functioning society is based upon a well-functioning democracy.
Most appears not to know that it is essential that they are conspicuously seen as serving the citizenry, and that they shall not be seen or viewed as abusive and punitive. They shall not be seen as being cultured into behaving in like manner to: (a) ‘Then Haitian strongman, autocratic and despotic former President, Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier’s’ feared ‘Ton-Ton Macoute [April14, 1907- April 21, 1971]: and (b) The vicious Sir Eric Matthew Gairy’s Secret Police, nationally, regionally and universally called the ‘Mongoose Gang.’
The ‘Gang’ with State assistance, saw ‘Human Mongoose,’ rule with ‘Brutalizing: Terrorizing: and Deadly’ horror. Then in his absence, while reportedly, addressing the ‘United Nations’ on his apparent delusional mind on ‘Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO’s)’ over Grenada,’ through a violent takeover by those he reportedly despised and repressed, it saw his administration being toppled, through a seemingly well-planned and well-executed ‘Coup-de-tat on March 13, 1979’ [February 18, 1922 – August 23, 1997].
Without digressing too far, that which some law enforcers need to know, is that the populace is certainly more inclined to be cooperative with law enforcement personnel: (i) ‘Who sought to exude confidence in citizens: and (ii) Who, irrespective of social status and have shown evidence that they are not only here, but also always ready to ‘Protect and Serve’ them: and (iii) Who do not conceal their identity by wearing **‘Black Balaclava Masks’** when ‘Executing Search Warrants’ on private property.’ These represent the trait, culture and behavior of **‘Mongoose Police.’
Professionally, these are not only bad for ‘Civility,’ but also ‘Civil Behavior.’ Comparably, there were those personnel who have been seen as being: (a) ‘Professionally discrete: (b) Cheerful and obliging: and (d) and helpful and respectful. These personnel not only know that ‘Respect’ begets Respect,’ but also when not to exercise authority or behavior in a manner bordering zealous stupidity. Even so, that which had provoked angst in the motoring public, has been the apparent unpublicized closure of a section of the roadway for a ‘Bicycle Sporting Event’ [April 6, 2025].
Recognizing the ‘Founding Constitutional Principle’ that speaks to the **‘Supremacy of God,’** [CO: No: 1106: Principle ‘A,’ there have been those that have religiously attended ‘Church Services’ held across the nation of ‘Antigua and Barbuda.’ Be it on a ‘Saturday or Sunday,’ it has been the day the ‘Lord’ has made for the nation’s ‘Church-going community. Equally as much for those not so churchly-inclined, it has also been days that many citizens have used to perform various chores or to discharge their obligations to their employers. Many were known to have left their dwellings early in the morning for either reasons of spirituality or secularity.
In his pastoral capacity, the ‘Golden Grove Deeper Life Church, Pastor Everton Jeffers’ and congregants, may not have been discommoded, as they wend their way through vehicular traffic to attend ‘Divine Sunday Services (DSS).’ They, likened to many other citizens, may have driven safely with neither obstruction, nor diversion. They would have, undoubtedly, arrived at the ‘Lord’s Sanctuary’ in a timely manner and assembled reverently.’ This has certainly not been the same for motorists travelling ‘East-ward and West-bound on the ‘Sir Sydney Walling Highway (SSWH)’ [Sunday, April 6, 2025].
In the execution of duty, none may deny that: (a) ‘Authority: and (b) Discretion’ reside in the dual offices of: (i) ‘The Commissioner of Police: and (ii) The Traffic Commissioner.’ Associated with these offices, is an enforcement principle called: (a) ‘The Letter of Law. There has also been a corresponding principle called (b) The Spirit of Law.’ In the case of the latter office, none may also deny that in the execution of duty or administrating or discharging his/her official functions, these not only require professional and administrative knowledge, but also to employ tact and prudent use of discretion.
In whichever capacity, an office-holder shall know that he/she shall never be seen as insensitive, indecisive and ‘Vulnerable to Exploitation.’ These were often seen as bad in making ‘Informed Decisions,’ not only for a minority, but also for the greater good of a citizenry, society and humanity. It offends citizens sensibility, that the ‘Traffic Commissioner,’ had discretely accommodated ‘Bicycle Racers’ on one of the nation’s six **‘Busiest Roadways.’** Those known for heavy vehicular traffic includes the out of city: (i) ‘All Saints: (ii) Bolans: (iii) Friar’s Hill: and (iv) Sir Sydney Walling Highways: and the peripheral; (v) Old Parham Road: and (vi) Sir George H. Walter Highway.’
When a ‘Traffic Commissioner’ authorized closure of these road ways and allowed ‘Tent-Pitching’ along the roadside as: (a) Headquarters: and (b) Starting point for ‘Bicycle Races,’ know that he/she might be in dire need of courses in ‘Police Management and Road Safety.’ That which appeared most provocatively annoying,’ if not disturbing and distressing to innumerable motorists, speaks to an apparent grave act of inconsideration to the motoring public. This was particularly troubling for those entitled to use the public highway, free of unavoidable obstruction and diversion.
Seemingly with no: (a) ‘Immediate Road repairs: and (b) No Public or Medical Emergency,’ and clearly with ‘Reckless Abandon,’ he had indiscreetly discommoded innumerable motorists. Such apparent administrative recklessness, may have been reasonably inferred when visibly improperly dressed, traffic-detailed motorcycle out-riders were instructively positioned to control vehicular traffic between the ‘East-Bound Maulvin Edwards-constructed Bus Shelter.’
Geographically, motorists travelling west-ward, were diverted through a by-road leading, firstly, to an off-road ‘Tire Repair Shop.’ Secondly, motorists travelling East-ward, were diverted through the said by-road that passes behind ‘Car Zone: Maulvin Trucking’ and other commercialized businesses at Paynter’s.’ Most aggravating to these motorists, was when the **‘Police Directed Diversion’** saw drivers being forced to drive through a most deplorable and negligently maintained by-road. The deplorability of the nation’s public roads, not only continues to fuel contentious debates, but also offends the sensibility of the motoring public.
Such shall not be said of the recently surfaced ‘Sir Sydney Waling Highway.’ Incidentally, with tents pitched off the ‘Sir Sydney Walling Highway,’ such signified the temporary headquarters and starting point for an apparent, not very well- publicized **‘Bicycle Race.’** As motorists endeavored to go about their lawful businesses, the visible presence of Police motorcyclists had a section of the highway blocked and manned. Amazingly, not with officially-made and recognized barriers, but with Police motorcycles [April 6, 2025].
Law enforcers had a duty to ensure that organizers of such event had discharged their obligations to both the motoring and general public. Motorists, following uniformed, but ‘non-helmeted’ and apparent self-supervised traffic personnel had diverted compliant motorists through an unpaved, ungraded rocky by-road. Instructively, (a) ‘The ‘Rain-Guttered by-road, that evidently: (b) Speaks to a destructive tool for vehicle front-end and shock-absorber: and (c) Over-populated with scattered crater-depth potholes.’
These were either filled with mud and muddied water, ideally, and seemingly more suited to domesticated hogs, as well as motorists known for exhibiting certain driving culture. Unavoidably, with the ‘Density of Vehicular Traffic,’ these have reduced driving to a snail’s pace. Then compounding the situation, were the well-known and usually parked heavy-duty vehicles, as well as lengthy non-independent motive powered trailers. Notwithstanding their presence on the roadway, the deplorability of the by-road has kept motorists, particularly with small, and non-4-wheeled drive vehicles were known to have avoided regular use.
Seemingly, lack of investigation to enable effective and workable pre-planning or simply, ‘Administrative Shortsighted,’ not only saw an ill-advised closure of the portion of the highway, but also made: (i) ‘Maneuverability extremely difficult: (ii) Waiting intolerably annoying: while reaching destinations became: (iii) Impatiently untenably lengthy.’ Motorists intending to reach their destinations, showed no desire in yielding to motorists jammed behind these non-moving heavy-duty vehicles. Thus, it could easily be said that it was inexcusable for the ‘Traffic Commissioner’ not to have deployed a sufficient number of ‘Traffic personnel to control the off the highway vehicular traffic.
From a professional and administrative perspective, that which shall be said is that ‘…Inefficient utilization of resources, human and otherwise,’ often resulted in disappointing outcomes.’ More commonly referenced terminology has been: ‘Failing to Plan, is in actuality, ‘Planning to Fail.’ But then, ‘Pastors are good in standing behind the pulpits of ‘Church Sanctuaries,’ while ‘Commissioners of Police’ not only sit behind office desks, handing down instructions from the top, but shall also lead, not just from the front, but also decisively, confidently and in a manner deserving acknowledgement and praise. It shall be understood, that these are not just merely given, but are duly and deservedly earned. This shall now be the juncture, when ‘Congratulations’ shall be extended to: (i) ‘Acting Commissioner of Police, Pastor Everton Jeffers KPM: and (ii) Well-wishes to retiring ‘Commissioner of Police, Atlee Rodney QPM’ in his new undertaking. ***