National Defence Council reactivated to support measures to combat increase in criminal activity, says PM Douglas
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| St. Kitts and Nevis' Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas chairs a meeting of the National Defence Council |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 5TH 2007 (CUOPM) – The National Defence Council has been reactivated to lend support to the Police High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, who said that the reactivation was approved during Monday’s Cabinet Meeting in support of the Ministry of National Security and its measures to combat the increase in criminal behaviour at this time of the year. The National Defence Council is chaired by the Prime Minister.
“In the Joint Meeting with the members of the Defence Council, the Cabinet Sub-Committee on National Security, and with the Police High Command, we went through and received an update on the current situation and discussed a number of planned activities,” Prime Minister Douglas, who chairs the Council.
He said that the National Defence Council also discussed a multi-pronged strategy to arrest the crime situation which will be pursued to ensure the security for all citizens and visitors not only during the Christmas and Carnival Season, but throughout the entire year in the future.
Prime Minister Douglas said that the National Defence Council will meet every Monday after Cabinet until the situation is completely abated and also disclosed that he has specifically called upon the Coast Guard Unit of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force to increase their coastal patrols so as to reduce the flow of illegal guns into the Federation.~~Adz:Right~~
Dr. Douglas said that he has been mandated by the Council to pursue the request made by the Ministry of National Security to the Royal Canadian Mountain Police for assistance in specialized areas for local officers.
He said that he measures announced by the Minister of National Security, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan last week Wednesday will be implemented by both the Police and Defence Force without fear and without favour.
Prime Minister Douglas met on Tuesday morning with the Comptroller of Customs, Mr. Norman Williams and with the officer, who is responsible in the Customs Department for Enforcement, Mr. Terry Adams.
“I again call upon the general public to assist the police and to inform you that the measures announced by the Honourable Minister of National Security last week Wednesday will be implemented by both the Police and Defence Force without fear and without favour. I call upon all citizens, especially parents and guardians to exercise control over those who they have under control,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who used the opportunity to express on behalf of all law abiding citizens “our sympathy to the families which have been affected by the recent homicides and injuries.”
He also told the media representatives that the issue of crime continues to occupy the full attention of his St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Government and invited the media houses “to pursue the matter as an issue of National importance devoid of any party politics and any sensationalism. You as members of the Press and of the Media have a responsibility in this regard.”
