BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FULFILLING a pledge outlined in its 2009-2011 Policing Plan, the Royal St. Christopher-Nevis Police Force stepped up its community operations with the execution of several searches across St. Kitts.
In the aforementioned plan, the force committed itself to the enhancement of community and police relations through a number of measures, which include maintaining a more tangible presence in towns and villages. The latest police communiqué (Sept. 24) reveals that the force has been taking this promise seriously.
According to the release, the Anti-Gang Unit conducted search operations in Newtown and McKnight on Wednesday (Sept. 23). Forty persons and 11 abandoned buildings were searched for controlled drugs, arms and ammunition.
In addition to the police discovery of five marijuana plants, Gregory May of Anguilla and Scotty Stapleton of Martinique were found at a “known gang hangout”. The two men were arrested for immigration purposes, while Rasheem Stevens of Ponds Pasture was arrested for possession of marijuana.
That same day, the Crime Response Unit and the district stations stopped and searched 33 persons between Boyds and Sandy Point. During the operation, several persons were arrested for a variety of offences.
“A 16-year-old boy was arrested for possession of marijuana, two persons were arrested for carrying abroad an offensive weapon, while three others were arrested for possession of marijuana,” the release stated.
Meanwhile, 83 vehicles were stopped and checked for traffic violations during another stop and search between Ottleys and Tabernacle. Two traffic tickets were issued for “failing to display the licence sticker” and “driving with defective tyres”.
One person was arrested for possession of marijuana.
In addition to the improvement of police-civilian relations, the 2009-2011 Policing Plan includes other important objectives such as the upgrading of border control and security, the reduction in supply and use of illicit drugs, and the prevention of and reduction in gang-related violence.
The plan was officially handed over to Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, at a press conference on August 26.
