In a grim address of resolution to the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew announced an arrangement of strict measures to free the Federation of the mounting issue of gun violence, on July 24, 2024.
The Prime Minister accentuated that no one should undermine this violent wave which already claimed the lives of 19 people since the beginning of year and three more over last five days. Drew lamented the murder of his fellow citizen, saying that “every life is precious,” praying for families of victims and assured them Justice.
Two-thirds of the killings were gang-related, and Dr Drew said, the reason for the spike in violence was that large amounts of money and sophisticated weapons had been injected into gang activities. He bemoaned addressing this as impact of an ill-considered peace program which he said has accidentally funded gang operations.
PM Drew ordered a shift to more aggressive suppression operations to halt the violence. The National Security Council, which he presides over, has endorsed the proposal to have constant vehicular checks and searches implemented and to conduct frequent inspections of houses in suspected criminal activities.
He cautioned criminals that they would face constant pressure from the security apparatus, which includes the police, army, and the Joint Security Operational Tactical Team that will patrol known hotspots.
The Prime gave an update on the work being done to beef up national security with a four-point agenda. This involved greater deployment of security in communities, interaction with regional and international security experts, enhanced intelligence capabilities, and an expanded CCTV infrastructure island wide.
These have all resulted in a 50% detection rate of the homicides occurring this year. With the 2024 allocation rising to $79.3 million, budgetary allocations for national security have also been drastically increased over the years.
This has allowed for more vehicle purchases, the establishment of the Anti-Gang Unit, and the onshore radar system to detect unauthorized activities. Legislative interventions have been heightened since the Firearms Amendment Act, which increased penalties for illegal possession of firearms as well as ammunition.
Dr Terrance Drew believes that an integrated approach in dealing with crime is required; it has to be a public health issue because violence begets violence. The National Security Task Force has been created to address crime through a series of social interventions directed at the at-risk youth and marginalized individuals.
It is programs like that of the ELEVATE initiative that aim to equip young people with technical skills that assist in making them integrated members of society.
The Prime Minister Drew called for a national consultation on crime and violence, urging all political and civil organizations to collaborate on solutions. According to Drew, “Fighting crime is not a matter of partisan politics,” and, as such, all are called to put on board the task force in a bid to end the decades-long plague of violent crime in St. Kitts and Nevis.
