Calm, please, in La Romaine

An initial report from police citing a single wound to Cyon was later contradicted by officials who said there were multiple wounds and raised the possibility of the child being specifically targeted. However, forensic officials later said there was a single bullet and ruled out execution.

But that in no way diminishes the awful nature of Cyon’s death.

Whether through reckless endangerment or deliberate malice, no child – and no person – should meet an unnatural death in this way.

Our streets are rendered impassable when a Saturday night outing to buy hot dogs results in murder.

The police must conduct a speedy inquiry to ascertain what took place. Those queries should either result in a criminal charge or the convening of a coroner’s inquest, depending on the assessment of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Police patrols, in the meanwhile, should continue.

Understandably, emotions are running high.

But in a rush to judge, some residents appear to have formed their own views as to who is the killer.

That is the impression left by the account of the mother of a 35-yearold visually impaired – not blind – driver who has been fingered. The evidence? It seems this is a case of verdict through the grapevine.

Such a finding is as foolhardy as diagnosis through rumour.

It is for the law enforcement authorities to take charge of this situation, not residents. At the same time, it is the responsibility of residents to report whatever information they may have to the police.

Vigilante justice is a course of action that is fraught with peril. Without the benefit of the impartial testing of evidence, who can prove without a reasonable doubt the identity of a killer? On Thursday, at Cyon’s funeral, resident Francelia Jackson, a police constable, called on members of the community to come together to live in peace. Her message is worth repeating.

“Let us just love each other,” she said. “We need each other so let us be strong as a community.” Where communities can take action, however, is in relation to discouraging criminal enterprise.

As such we endorse Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s call this week to those who aid and abet.

“If you are encouraging crime in your family or your neighbourhood, desist,” the Prime Minister said.

Both Rowley and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar have at least one thing in common.

They are both currently dissatisfied with the state of crime and, for once, the politicians are reflecting the views of the population. We hope both officials can make good on Persad-Bissessar’s call for a meeting to chart a way forward. Let this latest entreaty not become a sham exercise.

While the local politicians examine possible areas of collaboration, regional leaders will soon be gathering in this country to further international collaboration to combat crime. The Government’s effort to cut the budget of the October meeting of defence ministers from $16.5 million to $9 million must be lauded. Though immediate results are unlikely, we cannot deny the international element relating to our crime situation. Arms manufacturers, the terrorist threat as well as the role of lucrative foreign narcotics market all coalesce into a deadly situation playing itself out on our streets.

To this we must add a breakdown of basic human decency and understanding.

That is something communities, not just the police, must tackle.

For now, we join with the national community in mourning Cyon’s death. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family during this dark and difficult time.