GRENADA TODAY applauds the policy decision announced by Commissioner of Police, James Clarkson to crack down on persons engaged in indecent mode of dress in the public on the island.

This move being contemplated by the force reminds us of the old saying: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.Only the blind cannot see that in recent times there has been a tendency especially among some young persons in Grenada to wear their clothes in such a manner that is unbecoming of decency and only seeks to promote promiscuity, indecency and decadent behaviour in the society.

 

What is acceptable in North America is not necessarily good and should be accepted by us in this part of the world.The Political Directorate should have given the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) the command a long time ago to tackle this menace which has been allowed to go on for too long in the country.

 

The Commissioner would have our full support if he unveils a realistic and workable plan that can tackle the problem of indecent dressing in public by both sexes in our midst.It is not only the men who wear pants way below their waist and almost touching the ground but also some young ladies who cannot bend down to pick their falling purses because of extremely short dresses and skirts.

 

It is also suspected that some of these young ladies do not even wear under clothes thus making the situation more alarming and cause for concern.

However, GRENADA TODAY would like to warn Commissioner Clarkson that he ought to approach this policy decision of the force with great care, skill and caution.

 

It is important for the police force to engage all sections of society with a view to bringing them on board on this very important issue aimed at stemming the tide of indecency and dropping standards of morality in our midst.The police force needs to sell the idea to all and sundry especially the Churches, Trade Unions, Political Parties, Non-Governmental Organisations, youth groups, womens organisations, parents, guardians etc, etc.

 

In addition, Commissioner Clarkson would need to have specially trained police officers in place to enforce whatever dress code is unveiled as acceptable in public.There are too many police officers in the system who might not possess the necessary training, temperament, skill and ability to enforce this important dress code. It is quite easy for some police officers out of ignorance and some due to anxiety and others who can be spiteful to abuse the system.

 

This can easily become a political football for some politicians who are right now looking for issues in order to advance their cause and gain national attention once more.It should be recalled that not long ago, a certain politician who created fear for years in the lives of some of his opponents was bold-faced enough to talk about large sections of the population being fearful of the police under its new Commissioner due to the sweeping political changes that took place on July 8, 2008.

 

If this is not handled carefully by Commissioner Clarkson, there would be shouts all over the country of police brutality especially from the political leader of that entity who is trying to get back in the limelight.And there are some parents in the country who might be encouraging their own children to dress badly in public who see nothing wrong in coming to the defence of these young ones when they get into trouble with the law.

 

So there needs to be some kind of education process to take place before the police can go into any full blown policing of an acceptable dress code for our citizens.Some of these parents lack any sense of reasoning and will not only encourage their children to come out in public in an unsightly manner but would be prepared to take legal action on grounds of police brutality.And there is no shortage of lawyers in Grenada who might be willing to take such cases before our law courts.

 

Another issue that is being debated in some quarters in the country and needs some policy-decision and directives relates to the tendency of a particular religious sect especially the women to dress in such a manner that no one can positively identify them since the clothing being worn hides their entire body except for two piercing eyes.There are those who advocate that this dress mode is in violation of the laws of the land since it amounts to that particular individual wearing a hooded face which is unlawful for quite obvious reason.

 

However, there is that bone of contention that this is part of the religion of that particular group and the constitution provides for freedom of worship and no one should be allowed to interfere with someone’s religion.GRENADA TODAY see merit with both arguments but the State must intervene and come up with an acceptable policy in the interest of Grenada on this very important issue.

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