Offers Douglas his fullest support in fighting crime
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LEADER of the Opposition in the Federal House of Assembly, the Hon. Mark Brantley is calling on the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Douglas, to declare a State of Emergency in “certain known trouble spots in the country and impose dusk to dawn curfews in those areas”.
Brantley has made the suggestion in wake of the senseless killings that have occurred during the year and particularly the most recent in which three young men have lost their lives in just a matter of two days.
In a written statement to this media house, Brantley said, “Like all of you, I have heard with horror the tragic news of another senseless murder in our country. By my tally, the discovery of this latest victim takes the number of murders to three in less than three days and total 25 thus far in the bloodiest eight months in our history as a Nation.
“While I do not believe that there is anything now to be gained from long speeches and philosophical debate, I felt it necessary to pen these few words to express my profound sorrow to the families of these young men and to the wider family of Kittitians and Nevisians who long for nothing more than seeing a restoration of peace in our beloved Nation.”
He noted that it now seems as though the criminals are fearless and that they understand that their chances of being caught are remote, as there is no political will in the government to arrest this scourge.
“We have seen no drastic new approaches to tackle what is obviously now a pandemic of violent crime,” he added.
Brantley noted that in order for the nation to have some perspective, he made a comparison of the Federation’s homicide rate with those of Dominica and Barbados.
“Dominica has had three murders thus far this year and Barbados, I believe, five. Both have several times the population of St. Kitts and Nevis. We must therefore ask ourselves, are the Dominican or Barbadian people inherently ‘better’ people than Kittitians and Nevisians? Are they better behaved? Better educated? More moralistic? Less prone to criminality? Or is there something more? How is it they can enjoy a low crime rate while we in this Caribbean Sea continue to bleed?
He said that he is tired of making proposals to the government, tired of attending symposiums with no discernible effect or follow up, and that the time for cheap talk and long speeches is over.
“This is now a time for action. I therefore say to the Prime Minister as Commander-in-Chief, return immediately to St. Kitts and Nevis from your vacation abroad; take immediate and visible charge of the security situation in the country using all public media in the country each day; declare a State of Emergency in certain known trouble spots in the country and impose dusk to dawn curfews in those areas.
“Allow the security authorities emergency powers to stop and search and arrest without warrant. Recall all security personnel from leave and flood the trouble spots with security personnel for 24 hours per day every day. We need a surge just like Bush did in Iraq!
“Target known gang leaders and gang members for raids, searches and property seizures; enforce all laws such as loitering, lewd conduct, bad words, traffic, noise, etc. with zero tolerance,” Brantley said.
He also said that PM Douglas should bring the RSS and/or appeal to friendly Caribbean and international neighbours for security personnel to be deployed to the Federation for an initial period of 90 to 120 days.
He further said that the Director of Public Prosecutions and the magistracy/judiciary should be put on alert to try criminals day and night.
“Patrol the ports, especially the seabridge, to ensure that criminal elements are not permitted to slip easily between St. Kitts and Nevis, and there must be no part of the country where they should be allowed to feel safe,” Brantley added.
The Deputy Leader of the Concerned Citizens Movement stressed that it is high time for residents to accept they are at war in St. Kitts and Nevis, and that the government must now have the iron-will to deal with this cancer, for it could not be business as usual.
“Mr. Prime Minister,” Brantley stressed, “we have had our differences politically, but you will have my fullest support if only you will finally stand up and lead on this issue of crime and security. And if you refuse, then those of goodwill in this country will have to rise up and defend our nation without you!”
Conclusively, Brantley said, “May God bless us all even as we confront our darkest hour in our young nation.”
