BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH six homicides and 10 individuals having suffered gunshot wounds during the first month of this year, the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has upped the ante in its crime fighting strategy and has suspended all leave applications and recalled all officers who are on vacation.
This pronouncement, among others, was made by Superintendent Merclyn Hughes on behalf of the Police High Command.
She explained that following yesterday’s (Jan. 31) discovery of the decomposing body of Devon Javid Percival-Payne, who was the sixth homicide victim for the year, the High Command had convened a strategic meeting in order to explore all options available to “combat and reduce this abhorrent criminal activity”.
“As a consequence of this meeting, with immediate effect all leave for police officers have been cancelled, with those on leave having been recalled for duty. This action was required in order to deploy the optimum number of police officers out on the streets.”
The Superintendent declared that there would be vehicular patrols on a 24-hour basis and members of the public could expect an increase in personal and vehicle stop and searches as part of the police’s effort in combating the crime situation.
She however noted that with the implementation of these initiatives, the police would appreciate the public’s support and understanding and regret any inconveniences they might cause.
“We will have full deployment of the Mobile Command Unit and other units in areas identified as hot spots and of particular concern,” she assured, adding that officers assigned to all police station in the Federation would be walking their beats and also within the communities they serve.
“Their presence will be felt,” she stressed.
Hughes indicated that in order for the High Command to implement this particular strategy, the decision was taken to suspend the current recruit training at the Police Training Centre, pointing out that they would be “integrated into the station staff in administrative support roles to allow for the full deployment of the officers”.
Hughes also declared that in the Force’s new strategic plan, assistance would be had from other law enforcement agencies in the Federation.
“Operational support has been sought and commitments received from our law enforcement partners in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Department and the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force. The Defence Force will increase its mobilisation efforts and will assist with increased patrols and other support, both in St. Kitts and Nevis. We have agreed to the combined utilisation of resources to include canine teams and other equipment in order to support these initiatives.”
She continued: “The rationale for this immediate redeployment of resources is to increase police presence in order to deter this type of criminal behaviour and to reassure the public by having an increased police visible presence in our communities.”
Hughes however emphatically stated that the increased number of officers patrolling all communities would only achieve “so much” in reducing crime, and the level of success that the Police Force has set itself could only be achieved with assistance from citizens and residents of the Federation.
The Superintendent is reminding the public that aiding and abetting criminals and criminal activity is a crime, and that anyone found do so would be dealt with severely as provided for under the laws of the land.
“We therefore appeal to you, as we have done in the past, to share any information you may have with regards to crime and criminal activity with the police. You can do so by sharing the information with someone such as a pastor, a trustworthy friend or by calling any police station in the Federation or Crime Stoppers, the anonymous hotline, at 1-800-8477 (TIPS),” said.
Superintendent Hughes is calling on all citizens and residents to embrace their sense of civic responsibility and to partner with the law enforcement body in reducing crime in order to ensure safety for all and sundry.
“The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force will be steadfast in eradicating this crime trend within our Federation and only with your help can we make our nation safer,” she pleaded.
