Farley blames Tobago mothers for rise in crime

Tobago Correspondent

Mothers in Tobago have come under fire from Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly Farley Augustine. The Chief Secretary said that crime has been increasing on the island because mothers are not holding their sons accountable, allowing illegal activities to continue without question. He accused mothers on the island of enjoying the fruits of criminal activities.

With two months before the year ends, Tobago has recorded a record high of 25 murders, surpassing its 2023 figure of 14.

Augustine raised concerns about the rise in crime across villages during Tobago’s Divali celebration on Saturday night.

Augustine linked this decline in values on the island to the concept of “light” being absent in both homes and communities.

“Look at what’s happening in our little villages—the fact that criminals have been able to flourish. It is because light has been absent. It is because the light is absent why mothers are supporting the criminal activities of their sons. They’re enjoying the fruits of criminal activities. They are not asking questions about why their sons are behaving the way they are.

“So how did we arrive at a place where we have become so comfortable with criminal activity, so comfortable knowing that the drug dealer is living downstairs or in homes? Darkness is, in essence, the absence of light.” He urged Tobagonians to take responsibility for restoring a sense of morality and integrity within their neighbourhoods, ultimately bringing safety and security back to the island.

Augustine said that to make a better society, a better T&T, a better Tobago, then light has to return.

“I want to encourage this Tobago community to not be absent, to not allow light to be absent, to open the doors to light, to open our communities to light, to open our temples and our mosques and our churches to light.”

Augustine urged Tobagonians to take the Divali message to heart by fostering an environment where crime cannot thrive and where light, in the form of positive influence, is allowed to shine.

Also at the event, the Hindu Society paid a special tribute to former chief secretary Orville London for his support of the Hindu community on the island. London was honoured for his role in advancing Hindus on the island during his tenure and beyond, including his contribution to the construction of Tobago’s first Hindu temple.

In 2014, London granted the Tobago Hindu Society four lots of land in Signal Hill. Since its founding in 1992, the Tobago Hindu Society has played a key role in fostering cultural and religious practices on the island. The temple, now 50 percent complete, still requires material donations to be completed and be fully commissioned.

The Divali celebration drew scores of people who enjoyed an evening filled with vibrant cultural dances, soulful songs, and traditional delicacies.

NGO: Hold men accountable for their role in parenting too

While Augustine wants Tobagonians to take the Divali’s message to heart by fostering an environment where crime cannot thrive, founder of the NGO Women of Substance Onika Mars is disappointed by his focus on mothers.

She said Augustine, who is a father, should also hold men accountable for their role in parenting. Mars also called for a reaction to his statement. She said, “Where is the accountability for the men?

“That is a serious problem. Why single out the mothers without reminding fathers of their roles?”

Meanwhile, Gender and Child Affairs Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy declined to comment on Augustine’s remarks, stating she was not aware of them. She instead directed Guardian Media to a Facebook post of a calypso, “Ostrich Society”, which spoke of the need for collective responsibility in addressing rising crime.

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