A few bad apples must not be allowed to spoil the entire bunch.

It is rather unfortunate that a few misguided and delinquent youths in our midst were allowed to create panic in the lives of hundreds of persons trying to enjoy Spice Mas 2006.

Our people have been going through rather difficult times of late and need avenues like carnival to "free up" themselves from their financial and economic burdens. It is no secret that there is in existence a few so-called bad boys who have formed gangs and from time to time are engaged in bitter and violent confrontation among themselves.

It matters not to us that a rather unfortunate statement was made sometime ago by Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell that the country does not have any violent youth gangs roaming the place. As faith would have it, the Grenadian leader was forced to eat his words in a matter of weeks after uttering those words since he was forced to personally intervene in his own St. George North-west constituency in an effort to bring peace among two warring youth gangs in the area.

The issue that confronts us at the moment is how best to deal with the situation and to deliver a serious blow to those misguided youths who are nothing but a menace to the society. GRENADA TODAY is convinced that laws are always in place to control those who are clearly disturbing the peace and tranquility that should exist in a peaceful and democratic society.

The situation calls for drastic action by the State in protecting each and every citizen who is afraid to assembly in a public place because of the threat posed to them by these gangs of so-called "bad boys". It is no secret in Grenada who are the leaders of the Youth Gangs known as "The Bloods", "Ginger Crew", "The Carenage Gang" and the other individuals in different parts of the country like Springs, Belmont, Grand Mal, and Fontenoy who are associated with some of these named groups of violent youths.

Our people must be allowed to leave their homes and venture into any part of the country to freely assemble with other Grenadians without being fearful of getting injured or losing their lives because of fights that might break out by these warring groups. No innocent Grenadian should be allowed to lose any part of their body as well as their lives because of violent clashes by these rival gangs.

Yes, the police have a right to detain and charge law-breakers for crimes committed. It is not right for innocent persons going about their peaceful business in Grenada to suffer at the hands of these misguided youths who might be engaged in one of their clashes.

The State has a legal and moral obligation to protect all the citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. And the time has come for the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) to institute mass detention of the so-called leaders and known associates of these gangs prior to events like Carnival and Rainbow City in order to protect the vast majority of our people.

The law provides for detention of persons for up to 48 hours by the police for questioning in connection with matters that are of interest to our law enforcement officers. If it is necessary to immediately pick up these so-called youth gang leaders and members for another 48 hours on their release from custody in order to protect the society then it must be done.

This is no time to make pleas for our religious leaders and civil society groups to go out there and meet and counsel these so-called violent "bad boys" to turn away from their evil and wicked ways and deed. Yes it could be done but firm and decisive action should be coming from those in charge of the State to send a clear and unmistakable message to these so-called Youth Gangs.

If these people are detained within the confines of the law for posing a threat to the safety and security of the wider population then the issue of breaches of their constitutional rights should not come into focus at all. The rights of the majority should prevail at all times. It is similar to the way in which we elect our government in a democracy - government by the majority.