BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE the recent statistics released by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSNPF) that indicate a reduction in major crimes for the month of June, the homicide rate is of epic proportions with 18 people having been killed for the year.
From this backdrop, the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has reiterated its call for the RSCNPF to implement effective measures to combat gun crimes.
In a release issued today (Jul. 13), the CIC stated its concerns.
“The St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce ("CIC") continues to be extremely concerned over the extent of crimes involving firearms in St. Kitts and Nevis. In recent months there have been a disturbing number of such crimes, resulting in four fatalities taking the homicide toll to eighteen (18) for 2015.”
While the non-governmental organisation was high in praise of the Force’s High Command for initiating new strategies, it also took the opportunity to highlight the citizenry’s displeasure.
“The Police High Command must be commended for their increased openness, including press conferences and meetings with representatives of civil society. This, and their publicity of the statistical reduction in most major crimes, however, gives the business and wider community insufficient comfort.
“The Chamber reiterates its calling for effective measures to reduce the level of gun crimes by all necessary means within the law.”
The CIC explained what forms the measures should take, which include the training of investigators.
“These should include, but not be limited to: speedier trials of persons charged with firearm offenses; increasing the number of experienced prosecution counsel; and continuation of the reported increase in forensic and technical support and training of the Criminal Investigation Department.’
The release noted that the Chamber agrees that an increased sharing of information with the law enforcement body by the general public could significantly contribute to the reduction of crime in the Federation.
“The Chamber strongly encourages such sharing of information,” it added, and advised that. businesses as well as private citizens, should also practice increased alertness about security issues and be especially vigilant about their personal safety and that of their neighbours'.
In a July 10 release from SKNIS, it stated that the RSCNPF had reported that major crimes continue to decrease in the Federation with figures showing a drop of 43.8 percent for the month of June when compared to the same period last year.
It also stated that a further look revealed that the same holds true for the first half of 2015 over figures from 2014, and that statistics point to a decline of 33.6 percent in major crimes which covers reported cases of murder, break-ins, larceny, robbery, wounding, firearm and drug and malicious damage/arson.
