Things don't go wrong until they do, especially when you are taking chances breaking the law, or rules and regulations.

My condolences go out to the families of the two people who lost their lives while on the Navet Dam. It was reported that on occasions a top WASA official goes on these outings with others in a WASA boat, which is normally used for official purposes like depth soundings and servicing of equipment.

This raises questions of unauthorised use of State resources, safety and abuse of privilege. The public needs to know more about this incident.

Water safety is a serious matter, regarding boat capacity, life jackets etc. The sea and other bodies of water are unforgiving when these safety measures are compromised. Unauthorised use of State resources and abuse of privilege are serious shortcomings in this country today.

It seems that tragic accidents and homicides are taking multiple lives at a time in recent times. My sympathy and condolences go out to the victims of the Sea Lots accident.

Apparently the Sea Lots community is now a thriving, viable and legitimate community, deserving of facilities and amenities, thus making it obligatory for the government to respond in a positive manner to their requests. Although the bodies of the two occupants in the burnt-out car have not as yet being identified, if they are indeed the bodies of the two cousins from Debe, my heartfelt condolences go out to their families.

People need to be sensitised to the fact that even though there is a false economy with millions and millions of dollars circulating at top levels, there is a large gap reaching down to extreme poverty in this country.

As long that there is discontent, deprivation and depressed communities, there will be uncontrollable crime. There are also those that exist on the periphery of society and who cannot fully integrate for one reason or another but must live; these people see only crime as their option. Regularising nationality and citizenship is a good step being taken recently by the Government.

Provide more employment and empowerment through social programmes and provide better living conditions for poor people and crime will decrease. No amount of heavy-handedness and militarisation will help this problem. More honesty, spirituality and principled behaviour by all will indeed fast-track the process.

Joel Quintal

Southern Consciousness

and Cultural Association