ST. KITTS-PM urges all citizens to get involved in the fight against crime

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC—Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew said Friday that the streets of St. Kitts-Nevis, “once bustling with life and joy, are now too often the scenes of bloodshed and despair.

“The sound of gunfire seemingly seeks to replace the laughter of our children, as the fear of violence looms over our communities like a dark cloud, Prime Minister Drew said as he addressed the critical stakeholders’ engagement on citizen security.

“This is not the St. Kitts and Nevis we know and love. This is not the future we envisioned for our children. And this is not the legacy we will leave behind,” Prime Minister Drew said, adding that “this situation cannot and will not continue.

“The violence must end, and it will end. Over the past decade, we have seen a troubling rise in gun-related crimes, not just here in St. Kitts and Nevis, but across the Caribbean.’

Prime Minister Drew said that the epidemic of violence has claimed the lives of too many of the Federation’s young men and women, lives full of potential cut short by senseless acts of brutality.

“We have mourned the loss of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors. Each life lost is a tragedy, a blow to our nation’s soul. Each life is precious,” Prime Minister Drew said.

He said as a father, he understands the fear that grips parents when their children step out of the house.

“My son, like many of your children, is growing up in a world where the threat of violence is a constant shadow. I share your anxieties, sleepless nights, and prayers for safety. And I grieve with you for every family that has lost a loved one to this scourge of violence.

“But grief alone is not enough. Anger alone is not enough. We must channel our emotions into action, decisive, coordinated, and sustained action. We must ask ourselves: What is responsible for these senseless and evil acts of violence? What are the solutions to this epidemic of crime? Who is responsible for solving this crisis? And most importantly, what can we do to make our communities safer?”

Prime Minister Drew said the meeting brought together key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the private sector, advocacy groups, community-based organizations, religious organizations, political organizations, and the Federation.

“I thank you for that commitment, and I urge you to approach this dialogue with open minds and a shared sense of purpose. This is not a political issue. It is a national issue. It’s the only way to tackle it effectively.

“Let me be clear: the government of St. Kitts and Nevis is fully committed to the fight against crime. We have made significant investments in our national security apparatus, allocating the largest budget for security in our nation’s history,” Prime Minister Drew said, adding that the police are being provided with the resources, training, and technology needed to combat crime effectively.

“But let me also be clear: while the government can and will provide support, the responsibility for fighting crime lies primarily with our security forces. They are the front line in this battle, and they must, and will, step up their efforts to protect and serve the people of this nation. But they need our support.”

He said that police officers are not just enforcers of the law; they are protectors of communities who walk the streets, know the neighborhoods, and interact with the people.

“They are the ones who must lead the charge against crime, with the full backing of the government and the community. And I say to our police officers today: we stand with you. We will support you in every way possible, but we expect you to rise to the challenge. The safety and security of our nation depend on your courage, diligence, integrity, and commitment to justice.”

He urged the security forces to continue building relationships with the communities they serve, saying community policing is not just a strategy; it is a philosophy that recognizes the importance of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect between the police and the public. “When the community trusts the police, they are more likely to cooperate with law enforcement, to report crimes, and to provide valuable information that can prevent violence before it occurs.”

Prime Minister Drew promised a significant increase in police presence in the communities in the coming days and weeks.

“We have exponentially increased mobile and foot patrols in crime hotspots, and we have recently acquired new vehicles to assist our security forces in their crime prevention activities.”

He said these measures are part of a broader 90-day campaign that will focus on immediate and short-term actions to combat violent crime, particularly gun-related crime.

“This campaign will also include medium- and long-term strategies to ensure that the gains we make in the coming months will be sustained for years to come. But let us not forget that crime is not just a policing issue but a societal issue.

“It is rooted in a complex web of social, economic, and cultural factors that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace. That is why your government is committed to a holistic approach to crime prevention, including law enforcement, education, community engagement, and social services.”

Prime Minister Drew recalled that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders held a regional symposium in Trinidad and Tobago last year, where they recognized crime as a public health issue last year.

“We resolved to adopt a public health approach to violence prevention, one that is evidence-based and scientific in the approach of dealing with crime and violence and promoting the well-being of all citizens. This approach involves identifying the risk factors leading to crime and violence and implementing interventions to mitigate these risks. The reason why a public health approach is being taken is that violence is a disease and must be treated as such.”

He said the authorities here are already taking steps to implement this public health approach, expanding the educational and vocational training programs to provide young people with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

“We are investing in mental health services to support those who are struggling with trauma, addiction, or other issues that can lead to violence. We are working to strengthen family and community ties, recognizing that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of a safe and peaceful society.

“To this end, we will establish a new department of Government, the Department of Citizen Security, which will coordinate and ensure the holistic implementation of this new approach.”

Drew said that the 90-day campaign will include a series of national consultations on Violence and Crime as a Public Health Issue. These consultations will bring together stakeholders from all sectors of society to discuss the root causes of crime and develop collaborative solutions.

But he warned that “these initiatives will only succeed if we have the support and participation of the entire community.

“That is why I am calling on every citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis to take an active role in this fight against violence and crime. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a business owner, or a community leader, you have a role to play in making our nation safer.

“To the parents of this nation:

1. Talk to your children about the dangers of violence and the importance of making positive choices.
2. Be aware of what they are doing and who they are associating with.
3. Provide them with the love, guidance, and support they need to stay on the right path.

“To the teachers and educators:

1. Continue to inspire and educate our young people.
2. Teach them academic skills and the values of respect, empathy, and responsibility.
3. Help them see the value of their lives and their potential to contribute to society.

“To the business community: you have the power to make a difference by investing in our youth. Provide job opportunities, mentorship, and training programs to help young people build successful careers and stay out of trouble. Support community initiatives that promote safety and security, and be a partner in our efforts to create a safer Saint Kitts and Nevis,” he said, giving similar messages to the faith-based organizations.

Prime Minister Drew said that the government is also exploring innovative crime prevention initiatives to address the root causes of violence and create a safer environment for all citizens.

“We are enhancing our collaboration with international partners, such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, to strengthen our border security and crack down on the illegal importation of firearms. We are also working closely with CARICOM member states to share intelligence and resources in the fight against transnational crime.”

He said technology plays a crucial role in modern crime prevention, and the authorities are strengthening the Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) network through partnerships with the government of China and The Cable to achieve island-wide surveillance.

“This expanded network will provide our law enforcement agencies with real-time data, enabling them to monitor and respond to incidents more effectively,” he said, reiterating a call for all stakeholders to be engaged in initiatives to address the root causes of crime and violence.

Prime Minister Drew also addressed the perpetrators of violence, telling them, “You know that your actions have consequences.

“We will not allow you to terrorize our communities or destroy the lives of innocent people. We will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will ensure that justice is served. To this end, we have increased the penalties for firearm possession, passed legislation for judge-only trials to bring criminals to justice, and outlawed all gangs in St. Kitts and Nevis, meaning that if you are part of a gang, you will go to jail.

“Let us remember that St. Kitts and Nevis is a small nation with a big heart. We are a nation of strong, resilient, and compassionate people. We have faced challenges before, and we have always risen above them. This challenge is no different.”