BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - In a speech laced with Biblical references, Minister of National Security, Hon. Sam Condor, appealed to nationals during a state broadcast to “act now to rescue and rebuild our Jerusalem!” He explained, “Our Jerusalem is wherever we live, be it in the alley way, the street or the avenue.”
Minister Condor was responding to a sudden spike in crime in St. Kitts over the last week when the country recorded a total of four murders in as many days. Nationals were becoming alarmed when after two or three days, there were no reassuring words from the Government nor any indication that new measures would be put in place to quickly restore what many were calling “a country in crisis”.
Minister Condor acknowledged the gravity of the situation as he spoke: “I speak, mindful that our Federation has been put under tremendous pressure and that our people are grappling with the motive, cause, explanation and of course, with a solution to this problem,” he said.
But while the Chamber of Industry and Commerce was calling for swift, decisive action by requesting that the RSS be brought as Government’s plans were being implemented, Minister Condor’s response had the overtones of a Minister of Religion:
“And so we must be like Nehemiah of Biblical time, who allowed God to open his heart to the calamity and desperation of his brothers and sisters in Jerusalem, who were living in that city which was lying in rubble; and whose gates were burnt with fire. We must like him, call upon the God of Heaven, and do our part in what is right, as we continue to work strategically, through the rebuilding process of our Federation.”
He went on to state the following: “As a result of the input of “all fronts” (people and institutions), our National Security Ministry has been able to devise Anti-Crime, Anti-Gang Strategies, where-from a number of initiatives are being systematically introduced.
• Use of Island Constables under the Island Constables Act No.31 of 2009
• Increase police presence in communities with significant criminal activity and intensify raids to deter the possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs.
• Modernize the Ministry of National Security and improve communication and cooperation to increase public confidence and foster a relationship with the police and to encourage public participation in the fight against crime.
• The appointment of a cross-sectoral, high powered commission to advise on and monitor implementation of medium and long-term solutions recommended by the National Implementation Task Force on Crime or otherwise approved.
• Capacity building and strengthening of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
• Establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee on Crime and Violence.
“We will be debating shortly in Parliament, the Anti-Gang Bill which had its first reading on June 2nd, authorizing preventative and penal measures, formation of Anti-Gang Teams, designated Anti-Gang areas, stronger penalties inclusive of those for individuals who harbour, hide, assist or form gangs.
In this regard the Security Forces have the full support of the Government to do all within their power to arrest this scourge and return this Country to normalcy,” he added.
SKNVibes sought to get reaction to the much anticipated speech from the Minister of National Security.
While some thought it was “too preachy”, others said it was better late than never. One man at the Circus, who follows national events keenly, said that the Minister said nothing new to assure him that they were stepping up on vigilance and that he just stated what he had already heard.
He particularly quoted from the speech noting that “a Resolution would be passed to operationalise the Anti Crime Strategic Plan and to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee”.
“It has not been done yet,” he said, “we still waiting.”
Another stated: “The Minister is asking us to ‘fight back’ with stamina, endurance and determination, but that does not really tell us what to do. We want ACTION,” he said.
In his speech, the Minister also used the opportunity to say how grieved he was over the situation and to “express and record the sincere condolences of the Government and people of the Federation to the bereaved families and the grieving communities on the loss of their loved ones”.
He also added, “I want to assure the people of this Federation, that I am on the front- line in this battle, and so must be each of you.”
He reverted to Biblical references in his conclusion as he said:
“I encourage you therefore, to “come let us rebuild the Walls of our Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace. Nehemiah 2:17. God be our Guide, our Strength, our Stay!”
Nationals approach the weekend hoping that they would not be alerted to any further sounds of gunfire and that there would be no further loss of life among their young citizens.
