Dear Editor,

What does it take to lose your job in this country? Clearly, allowing public confidence in national security to collapse is not enough.

A young woman is reportedly dead after gunmen entered a house in Bathlodge. A 13-year-old boy, reportedly shot in the face, is fighting for his life. Another man is wounded.

The country is burning. People are dying. Yet citizens are expected to keep extending patience to an establishment whose assurances grow more worthless with every attack.

Enough.

The Attorney General and the Commissioner of Police should resign. If they refuse, the Prime Minister should demand their resignations. The country cannot continue burying its people while those responsible for national security remain beyond accountability.

Ordinary workers face consequences for failing to perform. Why should those entrusted with public safety be protected from that same standard?

And the Prime Minister cannot escape this reckoning.

Keeping the same leadership in place is a decision. Accepting the same explanations is a decision. The consequences belong at his door.

These offices do not belong to their occupants. No friendship, political loyalty or length of service should place anyone beyond removal when the public’s safety is at stake.

Gunmen reportedly walked into a home and opened fire. A child is fighting for his life. How much worse must it become before protecting the public takes precedence over protecting positions?

Prime Minister, spare the country another assurance unless you can back it with action. Your continued confidence in these officials offers no comfort to people afraid to sleep in their own beds.

If this level of bloodshed cannot shake your confidence in those responsible, the public has every reason to lose confidence in you.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: LETTER: Prime Minister, Stop Protecting Failure.