BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN response to the recent spate of robberies committed against prominent businesspersons, the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) is calling on the government and society to give their full backing to the Police Force.
Said a CIC communiqué released yesterday (Sept. 13), “The Chamber calls on the government to give the police the fullest support in implementing this new policy...our community must accept that we are facing a crisis with the potential to destroy all the gains achieved since Independence.”
It added, “As such, we must give every possible support to law enforcement, but it is time that law enforcement show in visible and tangible ways their commitment to ending this scourge.”
Robbery falls into the classification of offences against property, which has traditionally been the most reported category of crime. During the first half of 2007, 2008 and 2009, offences against property accounted for 78 percent, 76 percent and 75 percent respectively of all crimes committed within the Federation.
During the past month, there have been several high-profile incidents of businesspersons being targeted by criminals.
About two weeks ago, taxi driver Kenrick Fyfield was ambushed outside his car in Half Moon Bay. That was followed by a robbery attempt on Cherilyn Jong outside her restaurant on Saturday, September 5.
On Friday (Sept. 11), nightclub owner Kenrick Isaac and his young son were held hostage inside their home by armed assailants.
According to the CIC release, the escalation of violent crime within the past several years has contributed to the rise in robbery and burglary attempts.
“These crimes suggest that the criminal elements, having wantonly attacked each other, are now turning their guns on the law-abiding residents of our islands. This inevitable escalation of violent crime has justifiably increased fear within the community and the apprehension of many that our residents have inadequate protection from law enforcement.
“This trend, if continued, will make our country like the Wild West and put the criminals in control. The Chamber calls on the police to change its policy of reacting to crime and instead to take the fight directly to the criminal and gang elements and aggressively confront them.”
1.jpg)