BASSETERRE St. Kitts – THE Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has noted that the recent escalation in violent crimes, particularly shootings and murders, has reached crisis point and is calling on the government to seek outside assistance.
The CIC, once again, is suggesting to the government to accept the recommendation of civil society bodies in calling on the Regional Security System (RSS) to assist the local security forces in taking back the streets from the criminal insurgents while the Anti-Crime Initiatives, which were announced by the government, are implemented.
Previously, recommendations were made by the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to the government in an effort to help curb the constant rise in crime.
These recommendations are issued at a time when the Federation has recorded a shocking four homicides in as many days in May and the same amount, also in as many days, in August, taking the number to a staggering 26 for the year.
The CIC’s recommendations include the speedy appointment of a new Commissioner of Police from outside the country with a local understudy; and the engagement of two experienced police officers from outside the country, one to manage and upgrade the training of the Criminal Investigation Department in crime detection and prosecution, and the other to assist in the implementation of the proposed RICO legislation.
The recommendations also include a call on the government to facilitate the speedy completion of the work of the Crime Task Force which was appointed in 2009, and the publication of their report as soon as it is delivered.
Some of the recommendations have strongly been considered.
In a meeting held on June 20, 2011 between Minister of National Security Hon. Sam Condor and 50 members of several civil society organisations, the proposal was reiterated, discussed and agreements were made.
One of the agreements reached was the complete unity among all sectors of the country is essential in the fight against crime which should not be politicised.
While the CIC supports the government’s recently implemented initiative, it strongly proposes that additional measures be taken into consideration, especially the assistance of the RSS and the help of the general public.
“We again call on the public to give full support to law enforcement in apprehending and prosecuting those who have become a scourge to our society and whose behaviour will destroy the society, unless quickly curbed,” the Chamber said.
