CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Acting Governor-General Errol Charles says the government is determined to end gun violence in St. Lucia even as the island recorded more murders this week.
“The seeds of violent crime have been incubating for years and have now grown into a despicable and shameful image of disregard for human life. Those shocking images of gun violence must end, and my government is determined to do so within the ambit of the law,” Charles said as he delivered the traditional Throne Speech at the start of a new Parliament session on Tuesday.
Police have confirmed two persons were fatally shot in separate incidents in Babonneau and Gros Islet, north of here on Monday night. Four others were also injured.
Police have also arrested and charged an 18-year-old person after he attacked a businessman and stole his licensed firearm on the capital’s outskirts.
Charles, outlining the government’s agenda for the new parliamentary term, said that the scourge of violent crime continues to affect St. Lucia and that it is of no comfort to say that the crime surge has been affecting the entire Caribbean region.
“The homicides taking place in the south of the island cannot be allowed to continue, and so my government is determined to end it, lest it begins to spread and threaten the social and economic life of our country,” the acting Governor-General said, recalling that the Phillip J Pierre government had already implemented legislative changes.
He referred to the Suppression of Escalated Crime (Police Powers) Act, which gives the police expanded powers. The southern town of Vieux Fort has become an escalated crime zone after several people, including a nine-year-old child, were shot and killed in recent weeks.
The government has sought the assistance of the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) to help curb the crime situation south of the island. The Acting Governor-General told legislators that St. Lucia would continue to engage the RSS services’ as long as necessary.’
He also disclosed that given the shared crime challenges within the region, the government would continue working with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping to stop smuggling guns and drugs into and across the region.
Charles said the government would continue to provide the police with the necessary resources to carry out their duties effectively.
He said the police would continue working closely with and within communities by engaging meaningfully with community leaders and civic groups in the fight against crime.
Charles said that to support a multi-disciplinary approach to crime fighting. A National Security Council will be re-established to coordinate crime reduction efforts undertaken by government agencies, the private sector, and the police.
and then 