BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ACTING Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd said that when compared to the same period in 2014, major crimes are down by 14.3 percent between January 1 and November 30 this year.
Liburd made this disclosure to officers of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force yesterday (Dec. 17) during an address at his Commissioner’s Lecture held at the Police Training Complex in Newtown, Basseterre.
“I am happy to report that as a result of your efforts, your vigilance and your dedication, our nation has seen an overall reduction in major crimes of 14.3% during the period of January to November 2015 when compared to the same period last year.”
According to a police communiqué, the Commissioner (Ag) stressed that though homicides and shootings continue to be of great concern to the nation, officers had taken 20 illegal firearms off the Federation’s streets to date, adding that “our counter narcotics efforts have resulted in much success with the removal of over 830 pounds of marijuana and almost four pounds of cocaine from the streets”.
For those successes, Liburd commended the officers involved and encouraged them to continue working hard to ensure St. Kitts and Nevis is safe for visitors and residents to enjoy.
“You, the men and women, are the cementing factor of this Force. Twenty sixteen will be a year of continued challenges and our work will be guided by a three-year Strategic Plan, a Service Delivery Improvement Plan and the Six Point Plan.
“In 2016, I ask that each of you as a member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force endeavour to strengthen your relationship with the communities in which you serve. Find a way or ways to reach and establish those solid relationships that can build partnerships between the community and the police. Your embrace and full support of these initiatives will contribute to making St. Kitts and Nevis a safer place to live, work, visit and do business.”
In 2014, according to police reports, 12 illegal firearms were taken off the streets. However, so far for this year, the nation has seen an increase of eight. But in the case of homicides, while there were 24 from January 1 to December 31 in 2014, this year the nation has seen 30 between January 1 and December 13.
This figure (30), however includes the two individuals shot and killed by police – Philo Wallace on Nevis and Dominican Obi Baron in the Conaree Beach drug bust.
