Public weighs in on Peck’s conviction

Resident

There is growing outrage among the ranks of the police force on the conviction of Gino Peck, a long serving officer of the force. But while his colleagues are standing behind the officer, is that the sentiment of the public at large? This afternoon, News Five was on the streets to canvas opinion on this major case, which also brings to the fore the issue of the strict gun laws. Here is what we found out.

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Reporter

“Gino Peck, a corporal of police, was detained, charged and has been arraigned and found guilty of firearm offences because he had a large quantity of ammunition in his home. What is your take to that?”

Resident

“In my opinion, a lot of police always di ker home dehn gun. One gun noh bad, but a large quantity? I think ih shoulda get penalize because dah wah large amount. But police on a whole thief. Sometimes the tools from the tool place where they fix the police vehicle, dehn thief it. They always di thief the gun, they always di thief the thing dehn; so yon oh should only penalize one. You have to start from the commissioner of police right down.”

Reporter

“They are saying it is because of this gun act that is saying that says that once you are found with ammunition…”

Resident

Resident

“Regardless of the gun act, man a lot of police always di ker home dehn weapon. So now, why noh penalize everybody? Why only penalize one? To me that look bias.”

Reporter

“Do you feel that it was fair or unfair that he was convicted for such a charge?”

Resident

“It is fair because as a police officer, you has to set an example to everyone else out there. If you let him pass, then everybody else would feel like they should get that pass too.”

Resident

“I think that it is unfair because the police man dehn do a lot of things beside that and that police man dah noh man weh really di harass the man dehn ina the street. Yo got Gonz, weh di lee Spanish one name? All ah dehn di harass people and this bally dah noh like that. but ih just noh want ih woman go dah jail and he take the rap. Maybe dehn set up the man too.”

Resident

“I think it is fair because normally regular people get charged if they find one bullet and he had a lot in his house. So that is fair.”

Resident

“Once you break the law you should be punished for it. So if you have bullets that are not licensed, you should pay the penalty for such.”