BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INCOMING Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Celvin Geron ‘CG’ Walwyn today (Aug. 23) gave gang members an ultimatum to quit their lifestyle, while noting that business as usual is over and the police would do whatever is necessary to take back the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Walwyn was at the time addressing a wide cross section of society at a two-day Youth Issues and Crime Empowerment Symposium currently being held at the International University of Nursing in St. Kitts, which is organised by Operation Future in collaboration with the Canada-based Regina Anti-Gang Services (RAGS).
“I want the members of the gangs to know that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force under my command is dedicated to eradicating you from our community and will use all legal means to do so. However, for those of you gang members who seek a change in your lives, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will fully support you in your efforts to leave the gangs and will partner with RAGS to help you re-enter society,” Walwyn said.
The 25-year veteran law enforcement officer declared that tools would be provided to those who want to desist from the gang culture, but threaten those who choose to remain in gangs.
“In the spirit of fairness, we are giving those of you in the gangs the tools you need to make your decision to leave the gangs. However as previously stated that will be your choice. We have already made our decision on how to deal with you if you don’t. This must and will be dealt with during my administration.”
He stressed that the loss of lives due to gang violence had left many grieving mothers, and many parents have been mum on their children’s involvement in gang-related crimes.
“Many mothers have cried and unfortunately many more will cry over the unnecessary loss of lives of their sons and daughters due to gang violence. And while not all parents bear responsibility for these acts by the gangs, some of us parents are just as guilty as our children for keeping our mouths shut when we know that they are robbing, beating and murdering their own people. We are not helping our children, parents, by not saying anything.”
The St. Kitts-born law enforcement officer told the participants that it hurts him every time he reads about a citizen of the Federation who lost their life through ignorance.
He noted that, as the incoming Commissioner, it would be his duty to strongly and aggressively reduce gang violence in both St. Kitts and Nevis.
“When the public is concerned about leaving their homes in fear that they might become the next victim of gang violence, the police must act expeditiously in changing that frame of thought. I speak to all members of gangs in this Federation, hear me clearly, business as usual is over,” he added.
Walwyn called on all parents whose children are in gangs to take them to the symposium and other such events with the view of getting them out of that vast and deadly chasm.
“Parents we do not want to see you crying anymore because you lost your child to senseless gang violence, so I am asking you the parents, please send your children or bring them to these meetings to see if this programme can assist them in getting out of the gangs. However, I will warn you that in this administration of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, we are not going to play with your children should they choose to continue in the gang life style. That is their choice. We have made ours. We will enforce the law and we will do whatever is necessary to take the streets back.”
He categorised residents of the Federation as both good and bad people, and reiterated the call for gang members to change their lifestyle.
“There are good people in this country, but there are also bad people. Some of our children have turned out to be the bad people. As a boy growing up in The Village, I used to hear my grandparents say, ‘You can give a child everything but you can’t give them a life.’ I hold no disillusions today that this summit will change everyone, because as a 25-year veteran of law enforcement, I understand that not everyone is capable of being rehabilitated. We pray that some of the gang members and their parents will accept this offer for a second chance at life.”
The Commissioner-designate commended the organisers of the symposium and challenged all law-abiding individuals and interest groups to join in the fight against crime and retake the Federation’s streets.
“I look forward to working with the community as we retake the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis. I challenge all who have a genuine interest in crime fighting to stand firm with us in stifling the proliferation of the gang culture here in our community. Let’s stop the blame and let’s be responsible in dealing with this new and emerging threat.”
The 53-year-old CG Walwyn was born in Basseterre and at the age of 13 migrated to the United States Virgin Islands and subsequently to the United States of America, where he pursued a career in law enforcement.
He has followed in the footsteps of his father, Zephaniah Joseph, who served in the Federation’s Police Force and left at the rank of Inspector.
He has held the positions of Deputy First Class in the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando, Florida; Deputy Sheriff, Harris County Sheriff’s Department, Houston, Texas; Interim Chief of Police, Kendleton Police Department, Kendleton, Texas and Surveillance Director at Equifax Services, Houston Texas.
With a wealth of law-enforcement experience under his belt, Walwyn, is fitted with a Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science degree, a Security Management Master of Science degree and has also completed his formal studies for the PhD in Public Safety-Leadership.
On September 1, he will succeed Austin Williams as Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
